Everybody has a different opinion, and is entitled to it. Opinions based on anecdote and minimal research are not as valuable as those of people with direct (and sometimes comparative) experience. Still with me?

I own "The Bairns", I have enjoyed it, it's not the first British female folk revival work that I'd reach for if required to, but it's original, its heart is in the right place and there's a quality to the singing I find attractive if not technically "good".

I've seen Rachel Unthank & The Winterset live. They gave a hard working, professional, entertaining performance that engaged me throughout though I probably would wait some while before seeing them again. I thought Belinda O'Hooley's musical contributions were excellent but her personality interjections got to be a bit tiresome and at odds with the atmosphere of the music. So I suspect that a capable pianist who can add the same to the music but STFU a bit more will eventually make the live performance something which will bear more repeats.

The only Folk Award they are nominated for that I'd raise my eyebrows if they win is "Newcomer", since they very clearly aren't.

Like Kate Rusby and Seth Lakeman, I'm perfectly happy for them to be an uninformed member of the public's introduction to the possibilities of English folk music. There are far worse.

As for floaty dresses, at least they can be bothered to pay attention to what they look like when singing in public. There are many who don't. Either way, it has no bearing on what the music sounds like.