"Why exactly, am I not permitted my ounce of cynicism about the High Command of of the British Expeditionary force, whom I feel are leading English folk music into no mans land?"

well of course you're "permitted" - it's an internet chat forum after all. It's only that it's a bit crazy that a mere reference in passing to that magazine can't pass by without a whole faction taking the opportunity to give their opinions about whether they like it or not.

I only heard about Folk 21 from Nyge's post on the fRoots forum. So, QED, posting about folk events on the fRoots forum clearly reaches people interested in reading them! I can't really see that there's anything to argue about there; it's a plain and simple fact.

This all only started when I made an anodyne comment thanking Nygel for posting the info about Folk 21 on the fRoots forum, and politely asked if the Folk 21 folk could continue to do so. (As a Londoner who plays a few folk gigs, I'd be interested in applying to any other regional showcase gigs that Folk 21 might organise. I believe a couple have already been and gone, right?)