the UK folk inteligentsia (sic) elite

As I have often remarked: If elitism = excellence, long live elitism.
And if joining the band of those who, way above me in the thread, cited VotP affords me membership of such an elite, then so be it.
(I don't mind very much being mentioned in the same breath as Anahata and Dave).
It is, frankly, impossible to discuss the recent origins of British trad without reference to VotP.
Such an omission leads, as we have just seen, to daft conclusions such as where were the women participants.
Or a peculiar notions that only solo performers are permitted.
Or the wildly ridiculous notion that CSNY are heirs to the revival.
This (quoth a resident) is rightly termed 'cobblers' in Sheffield.
Nay, Northampton, it was argued, to which I added a paragraph on John Clare, the Northamptonshire fiddler.
Now, I know not whether this post got zapped by someone who thinks John Clare is suitable only as a question on an English Literature paper or whether I'm not allowed to be in despair over nonsensical spoutings about the revival from those who know not what is IS.
Even before studying VotP, perhaps you Murkans should get hold of Fellside's Song Links, a celebration of English Traditional Songs And Their American Variants. It's even got Sara Grey and Jean Ritchie on it so it surely won't be too hard going. (Oh, and Anahata & Mary Humphreys too).