fRoots used to have a readers' album poll in the long ago days, but my vague recollection is that it was gently put to sleep because it always returned the predictable UK folk-rock winners, year after year.

It was a general poll, with various categories like the Folk Awards, not just albums. But yes, that's exactly what happened. There was obvious encouragement to vote by people with big organised fan bases, there was obvious multiple voting by individuals, and of course its inevitable that the albums which had sold the most (which was already known) got the most public votes. So it was very predictable. We went to a "Critics poll" because we were then asking people who in the course of their work (and play) heard a larger and wider range ofwhat's out there, which then provides a service to readers and the musicians by highlighting the less well-known, the less publicised and sold, which might otherwise be overlooked.

Back-scratching alliances at AFO? I didn't see any taking place

Nor did I. People have much better things to do at AFO, which is a very inspiring, thought provoking, buzz-creating event. There was far more enthusing to each other about new artists worth checking out than about people we already knew. I know this doesn't fit very well with conspiracy theories, butt hereyou go!