Phil, I disagree with you that "at this point in history that tradition doesn't actually exist". The tradition does continue, but in a relatively few places - some East Anglian pubs, the Sheffield carols, Padstow and Minehead May Day, to name but a few. The tradition exists, albeit in a much reduced form.

However I do agree with you that we're not bearers of the tradition in any meaningful sense. We've picked it up, mostly at second or third hand, and carried it on in a way, but the context is inevitably different.

While I'm proud that it's part of my English heritage, it's not the only part, nor is English music the only part of my musical experience. It's on that issue that I disagree with WAV. I don't play English music to make a point, I play it because I enjoy it.