The great thing (for me) about folk music is that it can exist on so many global levels. I love the "context" of songs (old and new) that come from and are performed in a local area. But if and when these songs appeal to a wider audience, they take on a different life and have different relevances to the audience – often being adapted and changed along the way.

There is an excellent article by Reg Meuross in this month's Acoustic magazine – the second in his series about the history of folk music in the British Isles. He talks about how Bob Dylan came to London in the early sixties and soaked up English folk music – becoming especially friendly with Martin Carthy. After a short trip to Italy, Dylan came back and played Martin what he called his version of Scarborough Fair – Girl from the North Country. Lord Franklin was to follow in the form of Bob Dylan's Dream – old tunes and themes, new context. Martin , apparently, not only liked them but was flattered that his singing of the songs was the catalyst.

Is English folk music world music? Yes.........and no.