No of course I dont see bob berry , or anyone else booking people at festivals because of exam certificates and as Stallion says that was not what I meant at all. I see it as an alternative to competitions for children, to give them a focus and get them interested in traditional music.Music can be fun if its taught in the right way, exams are only stepping stones, the final goal being nothing to do with earning a living at it, but enjoying music purely for the sake of it,feeling good about being able to do something well, being able to enjoy playing music for fun but acquiring technique to do this through examination. Unfortunately its a minority of children who are self motivated enough to not have to have an enforced sense of discipline.Discipline does not have to be unpleasant, in fact the carrot rather than the stick as Stallion points out, is much more successful. but we as musicians have all learnt that without practice we would not have got where we are. this is another useful lesson for children to be good at something to aquire a skill requires endeavour,but depending how its taught.can also be fun. Finally I disagree with you Brian about Traditional music in England never being stronger, It seems no stronger than at the beginning of the folk revival, it may have chaned in emphasis from clubs to festivals.The average man in the street hadnt heard of Martin Carthy then and he hasnt heard of him now.