I agree they merit recognition, but are there others who deserve a "Lifetime Award" for English folk more? I think there must be: -
Some of the following overlap, some have already been honoured.... (and some are dead, but you get my drift)
Any Waterson
Any Carthy
Any Copper (well, not "Ello Ello Wots All This Ere Then?")
Steeleye
Fairport
Thompson (not to my taste, and not really folk for some time now)
Kirkpatrick
Sundry players of threepenny bits (Anderson, Atterson, Etc)