Jim. There is no established agreement. 99% of everybody who enjoys folk has ever heard of any 1954 document and as it has no bearing on what they like, it is irrelevant.

I had been playing folk for over 30 years before I had heard of it. I took one look and put it in the same category as women not allowed to walk across the green in front of the bar at Lindrick Golf Club. An anachronism.

To have a consensus, it helps if anybody knows or cares about library categories. Music is categorised in many ways by many sources.

1954 was a Mudcat thread with a summing up post. It is the view if those who wrote it. A bit like religion. If you believe it it is true to you but sod all to do with those who don't believe.

You seem to be confusing most people who love folk with someone who gives a shit.