Let's face it, folk clubs are really designed by and for the generation which grew up with them. I think it is far more important for youngsters to enjoy performing music - of whatever sort - for the joy of doing it, rather than to achieve some dubious "celebrity" status. The best contribution folk clubs can make to this (if they want to) is to be somewhere youngsters can practice playing in public; without any nonsense about whether it's "not folk" or "too traditional" or "Fred's song".

I am most amused by the fact that those whippersnappers Norscalordie play with gusto and enthusiasm songs I learned at junior school in the 1960s off Singing Together. Now, which is more traditional - learning them from the BBC or learning them from records/cds by "folk musicians"? Is recorded music part of the oral tradition? If it is then every rock covers band is playing British folk music!!