Jim, I think you worry too much. Regardless of popular conceptions of what folk is, the evidence presented time and time again is that people are singing traditional songs and enjoying doing so. It might be that they sing at a mainly trad night (such as the Beech in Chorlton) or it might be that a couple of trad songs are slipped in at a largely non-trad night (such as Chorlton Folk Club). The point is they are being sung. And not only that, but also young singers of traditional song are headlining folk festivals and playing gigs at arts centres, village halls, rock venues and - gasp - even folk clubs, up and down the country. Different hands to the ones you're used to, for sure. Safe hands? Absolutely.