I caught the whole of the BBC's short follow-up feature to Kim Howells' unfortunate (though, I am sure, innocently and humorously intended) remarks.  The upside of it was a brief visit to the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library at Cecil Sharp House, with some sensible comments from Tim Walker, Chief Officer of EFDSS; the downside was an embarrassing clip from an elderly Top of the Pops programme featuring the Wurzels singing Combine Harvester, which is exactly what is needed to reinforce popular prejudices based on ignorance.  If in doubt, it seems, show a parody of folksinging rather than the real thing; an easy cop-out which will simply encourage the snide and facile comments of those who, seeking an easy target, set up a man of straw in order to knock it down.  The real article is made of stronger stuff, which is presumably why the carpers choose to mock a target which is largely of their own invention.

Presumably the BBC believed that it was presenting a balanced report.  Roger's post, which appeared while I was typing this, suggests that the Wurzels' appearance was a result of their earlier, self-publicising intervention, and not the fault of a misguided BBC researcher; the effect, however, is the same, and does traditional music in England no favours.  The Wurzels are representative of folk music in much the same way as Bob Monkhouse represents comedy.

Of course, if Mr Howells had the Wurzels in mind when making his comment, I can't say I blame him; though it's a pity he called them folksingers.