Sometime ago (but I have been too busy to respond) Joe G.wrote:-
It would be nice if instead of criticising these musicians some of you were more supportive of them. I find the narrow minded, anal attitude on here truly appalling sometimes. A shame as there are many worthwhile contributions from people who love music and don't belittle mostly younger musicians' contributions to the rich tapestry of folk music in the UK

I would suggest that Joe has got hold of the wrong end of the stick. I read most of the criticism of the Folk Awards here as coming from those who think that an "award" being chosen by a small coterie of music professionals does not have any value or validity. I agree that there are many exciting young performers that have emerged on the scene and it gladdens my heart when I hear them; I booked Matt Quinn when he was still a schoolboy and Hazel & Emily Askew both still at school and driven to the gig by their father when they did their first gig for us. But I don't want to hear that one has an award and the other doesn't. I can't see the point when we should just be delighted that talented young singer/musicians have chosen traditional song and music because of their love of it. Why compare? Just be glad that we have that those three and many others have developed into admirable performers and people.