Steve Gardham writes; 'In places where the old guard have allowed things to evolve, like Sheffield, there is a vibrant scene with plenty of mixed generations.'
The story there is a salutary one; the old guard didn't 'allow' things to evolve, they created the evolution! Basically two things happened at the same time. Firstly, the South Riding Folk Network was created to 'join up the dots' and secondly the University 'Folk Society' changed its name to the 'Ceilidh Society' or 'CeilidhSoc'. The movers and shakers at the Uni were involved with, and even become officers of, the SRFN and we all played and danced together for a long time. Sheffield's folk life ad the very successful Sheffield Folk Sessions Festival (see; http://www.sheffieldseshfest.org.uk )   
are all the result of a lot of people's hard work and dedication over many years.
By the way, please visit the website and, better still, come and try our festival over next Easter weekend.