"Whining on about lack of subsidy of folk is a perfect manifestation of one of the symptoms of the problem."

I'd love to see how the classical community would start whining if their subsidy was cut back so that it was commensurate with other artforms.

The whole point is that the lack of subsidy reflects the lack of priority placed on our national music by the government - a huge missed opportunity, as was mentioned earlier, in terms of tourism and national identity.

While Cecil Sharp House in London struggles to even be fit for purpose, Ceol, the recently-opened Irish Traditional Music Centre in Dublin, received something like £4m in public subsidy. Its opening was attended by the Minister for Culture. Apparently it's a fantastic building with great facilities - a showcase for the country's traditional culture.

THAT's why I'm "whining on". Because if English music were properly valued and funded, it could stand shoulder to shoulder with any other music this country produces. You may call it whining - I call it lobbying.