What reslly depresses me about these threads is that there does seem to be a very significant number of English people who recognise no qualitative difference between the stuff REM and Paul Weller come up with, and an artist like say Wizz Jones.

Wizz may not play traditional material, but to me his approach, techniques and aesthetic should have an unchallenged place in English folk music. Part of the warp and weft of English folk artistry.

When you think of the really civilised basis of this movement with guys like Sydney Carter, who must have sat through a thousand Quaker meetings listening to all sorts of nonsense - and saying, well that is your appproach to God - I think that's how it should be.

When I listen to a some of the negativity and rejection that is so common place nowadays I think folk music has changed. Its like when you drive past those of those new churches like the Mormons, and you know there all in there - giving up a tenth of their wages, listening to Kate Rusby, giving themselves a slap on the back for being part of the tradition.

My old church is boarded up - I think I'll reopen it as a bingo hall.