I really don't know what all the fuss is about.I remember going to Sidmouth in 1965,as a 17 year old,and being utterly enthralled at discovering that there was such a thing as the EFDSS,which I joined at the first opportunity.At that time,and for some years afterwards,I was a member of the lowest known order of human existence, ie a Naval Rating ( it was widely held that a Sailor was someone who married a prostitute and dragged her down to his level ),but I was nevertheless gratified to find that the "Folk World " included such luminaries as Cyril Tawney,and,later,Shep Woolley,and others of a similar anti-naval- authority frame of mind.Indeed, their songs , and Irish Rebel Songs,(sadly no longer politically viable),were generally very well received by Higher Authority in that august organisation,viz The Royal Navy-----one of the highlights of my musical career in "Her Majesty's Imperial Navy " was performing in front of a distinguished gathering of brass hats and gold braid (and their Ladies) at the home of the Commander-in-Chief, Far East Fleet, in Singapore,at which event there was much drinking of the Gin and joining-in of the choruses !! My theory has always been that,in a class-dominated environment, (and the Royal Navy was ALWAYS that !! ), it was considered better for those with a real or even just perceived,grievance,to sing about it ,even SHARE it ,in the guise of "entertainment", rather than have it metamorphose into something more serious later on.As for the Army----Well, no soldier of the Peninsular War would ever have dared to call the Duke of Wellington "Old Hookey" to his face, but they could SING it as much as they liked (and they doubtless did ).By and large, it was a good system ,and long may it continue ( as, and if,necessary ).And long may "Folkies" everywhere transcend the barriers, real or imagined, of "Class"----I always have !!!Try it, Lizzie---it's much more fun than moaning about it !