Re the noise from amplified bands in the evenings in the Anchor garden. I think we're missing the point here. If the Festival management team are subsidising non folk style bands then that money is coming from season ticket holders who have paid a not inconsiderable amount of money to listen to their kind of music. As for the argument that "it will attract people to the festival and to folk music.", b******s!. If you think some lager swilling youth listening to deafening third rate pop covers is going to think, "Oh, this is good, I'll go and listen to some unaccompanied ballads, shanties or whatever", Planet Earth is awaiting your visit.
By the way, I had agreat time.