Well, Ruth, have you ever wondered why there is a Classic FM and not a Folk FM?? People don't want it, you see!

Actually when you add up all the people who go to festivals large (Sidmouth) and small (Bradfield Traditional Music Festival) then you have a lot of people who do want it. And are prepared to pay mostly unsubsidised prices to hear and see it. Show of Hands and The Watersons Mighty River of Song both (more or less) sold out the Albeert Hall last year a few nights apart. So much for people not wanting it. At unsubsidised prices.

As for the BBC, when asked if the programme which replaced Radio Newcastle's Folk Programme was getting more lsteners the answer was err.errr.ummmm.... Did you know Steve that having transferred folk music in the main to local radio, there is no BBC local radio coverage in Sheffield, Manchester, Hull, Newcastle, Middlesborough and other large parts of Northern England?

Never mind, we have the Proms.

Tell me Steve how many people would listen to opera once the subsidies were withdrawn?

A lot less, that would be for certain.