u-lot came & squatted in our folk clubs

Are they yours, though, Michael? They might once have been, but things d/evolve. There are folk clubs round here set up and enjoyed by people who enjoy a mixture of acoustic rock, singer songwriter, Americana and traditional folk. They never sought to be anything except what they are. They certainly weren't victims of a hostile takeover. I suspect Al would be welcome and it wouldn't even cross people's minds to question whether or not his music was folk.