from reading the thread, i don't think the situation bears much analyses.

there are some people happy as sandboys with the present situation.

there are some who aren't.

i couldn't pretend to know which lot are right.

i suppose i straddle the two points of view.

i'm glad for the people on the happy chappies list that they've a scene going.

i sympathise with those on the outside and think the folk tradition is weaker for their exclusion.

of course what both parties forget is that the tradition will adapt and survive and the demotic music of England will develop inspite of their efforts to affect its progress.

the folk music scene is a tiny determinant on how the common people express themselves musically.