Thanks. I went ahead and emailed them something suitable. I hope! I do think the crux of the problem lies in the fact that he dislikes folk music in general, not just the British stuff. He does appear to class World Music as pop music in a different languages. I did wonder whether he has a general dislike for British music as a whole, but you're right McGrath, he's a tourist. And happy to perpetuate all the stereotypes, so probably not that committed or thoughtful to the subject. I think the point of the column is to allow people to get their "black beasts" out, so they'll always be negative. I wholly dislike that as a concept, in music and life.
To be fair to Ian Anderson (I assume you mean fRoots man eric, not the flute player), he was the one that emailed me the article in the first place, and has written a nicely damning edtorial for the next issue of his magazine. I've never found him to be against British traditions, just the opposite in fact. I think he does his best. Can't please everyone.
But thanks again for your thoughts, some of you are a great deal more measured than I was in my reply!!!
cheers,
x ec