To be honest, I end up hating myself when I contribute to these threads. I can hear myself losing my temper, and invariably - I walk away.

Ruth Archer and Richard Bridge may totally correct in their definitions of folk music - I don't know.

I do know this though - the upshot of it locally is this.

Every semi competent traddy who can just about nearly limp through the Dorset 4 hand reel, or Harvest Home can get a shake on the local radio. A cover version of Martin, or Vin and you're in.

Really important singer songwriters have lived and died without ever darkening the doors of the radio station that is there to serve the community. Clubs that were there all through the miners strike - and people came and sung songs about their lives, and still do - totally ignored. Book an 'A' list guest though - and you've joined the club. And the whole attitude permeates to the people booking the local festivals - of which there are several.

Furthermore, honestly, is it in all conscience about pseudo American accents and Americana being the preferred sensibility of some English people? After all these same people would wet themselves with excitement if they could book Al Stewart.