The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 29 Nov 12 - 01:24 PM

So Very sorry to hear this! A sad day...

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,UK Folk Music
Date: 29 Nov 12 - 06:45 AM

We are sorry to announce that in spite of all the hard work put in by Mick and Lester and producer Alan Morley of UK Folk Music, the December edition will be the last ever on the internet.

The three of us have discussed the fate of the programme and decided that in order for it to continue we needed to be back on radio. We have made approaches to local radio stations and had no interest whatsoever.

Supporters of the programme when it was on BBC Radio Derby have not transferred to the internet show, and we realise that it's not as easy to find as just turning on the radio at 7pm on Monday nights.

The Folkwaves team would like to thank listeners who enjoyed the show and artists who have been featured during the programme's long history.

Listen to Folkwaves on Mixcloud : FOLKWAVES

Alan Morley
UK Folk Music website

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: foggers
Date: 13 Dec 11 - 03:44 PM

Hurrah! Will defo be listening!

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,SteveT
Date: 13 Dec 11 - 05:07 AM

Sounds like great news:
( but I doubt I'll be allowed to listen if we are required to follow the guidelines on their webpage "We are undergoing further tests for Folkwaves pod casting - please bare with us. "!!!
I don't think my participation in group nudity would be welcome.)

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: Bernard
Date: 12 Dec 11 - 11:33 AM

Another happy ending!!

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: Sugwash
Date: 12 Dec 11 - 07:15 AM

Magic, I do hope it all goes well, I'll be there amongst the audience for sure.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 12 Dec 11 - 07:02 AM

Brilliant! Will definitely be passing on the good news!

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,UK Folk Music
Date: 12 Dec 11 - 06:31 AM

Folkwaves Returns.

We are delighted to announce that Folkwaves will soon return.

UK Folk Music was approached by presenter Mick Peat in September of 2011 and asked if it would be possible to host Folkwaves on our website. To accommodate the show, we have had a complete re-design and moved to a new server where we have more features available which includes a huge database option.

The new look website was launched on November 17th 2011 - in time for our attendance at the Festival Organisers Conference in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire.

More Details For more details about the return of Folkwave, please check out our website here : FOLKWAVES at UK Folk Music http://www.ukfolkmusic.co.uk/folkwaves.php

To ensure we can continue with the programme we need as much support as we can get, the whole project will be huge and coverage will be national, not just for the East Midlands as was the original show from Radio Derby.

Please spread the word.

Alan UK Folk Music

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 20 Apr 11 - 12:52 AM

Alan's emails address was: alan AT senior DOT force9 DOT co DOT uk

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 20 Apr 11 - 12:47 AM

With regards to Folkweave and maybe Nic Jones a guy emailed me awhile ago:

Alan Senior

"Hiya,I have just read your post on uk.music.folk, I have all the original 1/2"Masters from folk weave,rescued from a skip outside BBC Manchester & spent a few months putting them on to CD's, some great stuff but the BBC Does still own the copyright so there's not much I can do with them !"

Subsequent attempts to contact Alan have proved fruitless; maybe some one here knows him ...

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 19 Apr 11 - 04:52 PM

Just to bring a bit of sense to this discussion. I've no idea what hapened to the Manchester programmes....probably dumped. I do know that most of the Pebble Mill recordings were "skipped" I know this because of my search for recordings of Nic Jones for the Unearthed project a few years ago. During this process, I spoke at length to both Peter Pilbeam, and Geoffrey Hewitt. Both of them agrred that most of the tapes had been thrown away. Of course, some lucky listeners will have recorded some of the programmes "Off Air" In fact, I have some tapes saved from that era. But, BBC policy at the time was to recycle the tapes....That doesn't happen nowadays. Everything is archived (because It's easy in the digital world)
Sad to say that a lot of wonderful recordings in the 70's were lost....Bugger!

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 19 Apr 11 - 03:55 PM

"...there would have been no 'masters', as the programmes would have been digitally 'logged' for a week until overwritten by the next broadcast. That has been BBC policy for quite some time,..."

Shock, horror, so there's no copies kept for the archives!! And I guess the same goes for Mike Harding's folk programme, Folkscene, Travelling Folk, Folk Club, et al.

Incidently these can all be downloaded automatically as series of progs. using RadioDownloader.

Its good that you are at least trying to preserve the programme you're involved with.

But the point is shouldn't the BBC be archiving these programmes, bearing in mind that storage media is cheap.

I hate to think of this attitude of total disregard towards archiving for future generations permeating the entire BBC (and others) output of t.v. and radio.

What on earth is getting lost now-a-days? And its not just episodes of Dr.Who.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: Bernard
Date: 19 Apr 11 - 01:34 PM

In answer to your question, there would have been no 'masters', as the programmes would have been digitally 'logged' for a week until overwritten by the next broadcast. That has been BBC policy for quite some time, as it satisfies OfCom's minimum requirement for legal purposes.

If a programme was pre-recorded, maybe there would be a MiniDisk or CD copy. If recorded using RadioMan QuickEdit, the recordings would have fallen off the end of the queue as drive space needed freeing up.

I kept archives of 'Sounds of Folk' whilst we were on GMR by recording to MiniDisk in the studio whilst our programme was on air (some early broadcasts were recorded off air by Mark Dowding), and I am keeping archives of the current Oldham Community Radio incarnation by taking a WAV file from the station log (P-Squared PowerLog for those in the know!).

All my archives are in CD audio format, and on hard disks as WAV files, chopped into convenient chunks!

So if there's a programme (or part of a programme) that anyone missed, or would like to hear again...

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 19 Apr 11 - 01:11 PM

Bearing in mind the fiasco with the Beeb (Manchester) junking all the master to Folkweave into a skip some years' ago, I hope that someone has taped off-air or has access to the masters of Folkwaves. And if so that these are in a suitable condition to be archived.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 17 Apr 11 - 09:01 AM

Don't forget there is also Kidnapppers Ceilidh

Radio Kidnappers (NZ) 1431kHz AM.
Broadcast: 10/04/2011 0000-0100 NZST

Kidnappers Ceilidh STREAMING live Sundays at 0000 NZ time

Folk on Sunday STREAMING live Sundays at 1500 NZ time via

http://www.radiokidnappers.org.nz/internet_audio.php

Specialising in tradition-based instrumental music.

For more about our programme please seek our entry in Jeremy Butler's Internet Folk Radio List at:

http://www.allthingsacoustic.org/tifrl/

For more on Radio Kidnappers visit us at:

http://www.radiokidnappers.org.nz/prog_fos.php

Mitch and Robyn Park
(Folk on Sunday and Kidnappers Ceilidh, Radio Kidnappers 1431AM & 104.7FM)
1214 Louie Street
Hastings, NEW ZEALAND 4122.       [phone]

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: stevewise
Date: 04 Jan 11 - 07:44 AM

Just had this from mick smith whose country show was also axed

he refers to a possible folk show - not sure if he means folkwaves or his own folk show
-------------------------------------------------------------------
You may or may not be aware, but the Country Show on BBC East Midlands has been taken off air along with the Celtic Fringe, Folkwaves and the Jazz Programme. A move I rigorously fought on your behalf but to no avail. Still as they say when one door closes ………..???

•        So for lovers of specialist music and in particularly Country I have decided to set up an Internet weekly posting on my own radio station. The first few programmes will be approximately 1 hour long eventually extending to 2 hours.
•        I'll be posting them every Tuesday in keeping with my previous show on the BBC and they will stay there for a week, so you can listen at any time.

You'll be able to get the show by typing into Google search www.micksmithradio.co.uk       then clicking on Show

•        The format of the shows will follow the tried and tested route that I've been using for a long time with lots of emphasis on the music and where appropriate, interviews with local and international country music stars.   
•        With this in mind I'll be looking for local club news and new artists with original songs to feature on the shows, along you're your dedications and requests.
•        So if you are a country fan, artist, or promoter, hopefully there will be something in the show for you.

And finally please let me know what you think of the shows and any ideas or suggestions to improve them. All suggestions will be acknowledged and considered.

A further thought, if things are successful I'm planning to extend the range of shows to include a Folk music and a Celtic music show each week – who knows - so watch this space.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 04 Jan 11 - 02:28 AM

Well done Derek....100% sure though, that your opinion went straight in the bin! I KNOW how these places work. There will be a synopsis on the Facebook group shortly, as soon as they get their "listen again" facility working...but, the new DJ presented a bland mix of Oldies, A pub quiz, interviews with non celebrities about haunted houses, a failed contestant from Dragons Den (whose only reason for being on was that he lives in Derby!) and a BBC political pundit talking about National issues....combine this with music from the likes of Erasure, Mama Cass, Boy George, Carpenters. I could go on, but I'm losing the will to live!
It felt like a well-crafted throwback to 1976 local radio. Local content? Not much...Agreed the News summary did mention a bad traffic crash on the A1. That was it for the "Ground breaking local news that we were promised!
Oh and the local footie results, mustn't forget them.
Poignantly, in the 3 news spots, they played a clip of Pete Postlethwaites moving rant re the closure of the mines, and the end of colliery bands in the Derbyshire Yorkshire area, from the film Brassed Off.. These people can't even spell the word Irony!

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 03 Jan 11 - 05:08 PM

well, I phoned up BBC Radio Derby during the new 7-9 programme this evening to register my annoyance that Folkwaves wasn't on, and the woman I spoke to suggested I wasn't the first person to do so, and that my comments would be forwarded to the management.
Derek

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 03 Jan 11 - 03:52 AM

Just to add, I've just uploaded the speech links from the final show to the Facebook campaign (Link above).
The files were too big for all the music, sadly, but at least, people will still be able to hear the interviews etc, after BBC IPlayer consigns it to the dustbin of history later today.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: Bernard
Date: 01 Jan 11 - 06:54 PM

That thread was augmented/followed by this one.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: Bernard
Date: 01 Jan 11 - 06:32 PM

When we were removed from BBC GMR we were instructed not to tell anyone until our final broadcast... fortunately one of the presenters from one of the other axed programmes put an article in the national press a few weeks beforehand, leaving the way clear for us to join in with a thread on Mudcat.

Not that it made any difference...

It certainly was not a 'short notice decision' - we knew nearly six months beforehand.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,Dave Eyre
Date: 01 Jan 11 - 05:51 PM

I think the reason that it is still in the Radio Times is that it was a short notice decision they were trying to keep quiet about!

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: danensis
Date: 01 Jan 11 - 08:12 AM

Presumably one can also call 01332 616161 as that is the number for "whatever is on now" on Radio Derby - I used to do that every time Folkwaves was replaced by kick ball. My feeling was that the longer I spent on the phone talking to the "man behind the glass" the less time there was for inane ramblings from some kickball follower to be broadcast live on air.

John

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: stevewise
Date: 01 Jan 11 - 07:57 AM

Quote "Folkwaves becomes
19:00
–22:00 Richard Spurr
03/01/2011
Great early evening entertainment. Guests and your calls on 0370 143 1333 (national rate). .

The phone number might come in useful!!!!!!!!!!! "

I think that trying to protest via the replacement programme could be counter-productive - those who like listening to richard spurr will simply think we are cranks!

I emailed simon corne about why the BBC haven't troubled to explain the reasons for their decision more publicly - or thanked mick and lester for putting on such a good show. The response was clearly a stock one since it didn;t address either point but simply explained their decision - a key part of this is that they feel that 7-9 has become a part of the working day more than in the past and hence people want to listen to more of what gets put out during the day. However it doesn't explain why they didn;t move folkwaves to a later spot - or to the weekend. This seems to me the case we should pursue.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 01 Jan 11 - 07:42 AM

according to the Radio Times, Folkwaves (and the other "minority" music programmes) is being broadcast this week as usual......
has anyone written to the radio Times on the general issue of Folkwaves/removal of folk etc programmes from local radio?
Derek

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,SteveT
Date: 01 Jan 11 - 07:10 AM

Folkwaves becomes
19:00
–22:00 Richard Spurr
03/01/2011
Great early evening entertainment. Guests and your calls on 0370 143 1333 (national rate). .

The phone number might come in useful!!!!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 01 Jan 11 - 06:25 AM

if anyone can do it with losing the will to live, could they post the play-list for Monday to see how much the BBC have covered the needs of licence payers that are not covered by Radio 1/2 etc.....

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 01 Jan 11 - 06:16 AM

Acorn...

And studio phone calls....

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: Bernard
Date: 01 Jan 11 - 06:07 AM

If they do what they did on BBC GMR/Radio Manchester, it's an excuse to play 'best of' clips from the daytime programmes (when they interview minor 'celebrities')... when I listen (in the car) I always seem to land on the same clip, day after day!!

If it's not 'Manchester Reloaded', then it's football, football, football, and maybe some rugby.

Even Classic FM is better!!

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: Acorn4
Date: 01 Jan 11 - 05:00 AM

It's time to find out what they are filling the 7.00 Monday slot with and clog up their system with emails and texts.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: RamblinStu
Date: 31 Dec 10 - 11:09 PM

A New Year, time to remind the BBC of our feelings..

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 29 Dec 10 - 06:14 PM

And don't forget Frank Hennessy's Celtic Heartbeat.

Not just Welsh

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,Chris Thomas
Date: 29 Dec 10 - 06:04 PM

I am so outraged as I've just found out about the plans to scrap the Folkwaves. I am putting in a formal written complaint especially as I am sick of a diet bland papy music on English radio.

If you love "Real Music" I urge you all to buy an a internet radio and listen to folk and all sorts of different music from around the world, the station SR Varlden (world) from Radio Sweden is my favorite, but I will be listening to RTE Radio 1, Radio Scotland, www.celticradio.net, www.folk.hu etc there are many more. Good music is getting rare on the BBC in England the BBC had better watch out Internet radio is comming!

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: Bernard
Date: 29 Dec 10 - 06:44 AM

GUEST,erbert - my point exactly!!

I've had a very quick reply back from Ofcom, and they say:

Thank you for your email. A map showing the rough locations of the community radio stations can be found on Ofcom's website at: http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/broadcast/radio-ops/coverage/communitycommunity-map.pdf.

There is one station in Derby, Radio Ikhlas and a couple of others in Derbyshire itself, Erewash Sound and Amber Sound FM. The contact details for stations currently broadcasting can be found by clicking on an individual station's name in the list at: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/radiolicensing/Community/community-main.html(end of quote)

I've left the URLs as the text for the clickies to make it easy for copy and paste, should anyone wish to.

Having checked out Radio Ikhlas, it's primarily aimed at the Asian community, so is probably not appropriate. Erewash Sound and Amber Sound FM, however, both seem suitable.

Whilst not ideal, a pre-recorded version of the programme on CD could be posted to a few community stations as an alternative to ISDN links, etc. This would expand the coverage, and give the stations flexibility of broadcast times.

At Oldham Community Radio we are working on an idea to start using an FTP site for uploading programmes not recorded at the studios. Handy for me for the occasional pre-recs that we do, as I usually prepare them at home.

My method for pre-recs (which I first used when we had a slot on Radio Britfolk) is to record Ali's voice links in my studio, then stitch the programme together with the CD tracks afterwards.

Whilst more time-consuming than recording the three segments of the programme in one go (we have 'ad breaks' at twenty-past and twenty-to the hour), it does mean that I can tweak the timings more readily. This is particularly important because we use P-Squared's 'Myriad' auto playback system which can massage the timings automatically...

As different stations will have differing schedules, it's important to understand what they need, and to build each programme to fit in with their pattern.

No, I'm not trying to teach granny to suck eggs, I'm passing on my experience to any novices out there who are thinking of having a go.

The BBC's loss is everyone else's gain!!

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,erbert
Date: 29 Dec 10 - 05:58 AM

I wrote a very positive essay about BBC Reithian values
to get an interview at trendy Coventry Poly Media Studies course
in 1981..

I have absolutely no recollection what happened on the day I hitched up the motorway
with suit and tie in rucksack...

but I did end up going somewhere else nicer.

Maybe folkwaves shoud go somewhere nicer as well..

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,glueman
Date: 29 Dec 10 - 05:49 AM

The BBC long ago gave up paying anything but lip service to Reithian values of 'inform, educate and entertain' for 'create the mass market then hang onto it for dear life'. The corporation is a busted flush as are the other mainstream terrestrials.
The sooner Folkwaves is on a dedicated community channel the better. The future is global narrowcast and the Beeb don't know what the hell to do about it. They'll blanket bomb the network with inoffensive pap from clueless nobody's until someone pulls the plug and puts them out of their misery.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: Bernard
Date: 28 Dec 10 - 01:42 PM

It's a bit late for that - they've been doing it for years!! Folkwaves is just the latest casualty.

I wholeheartedly agree that something should be done about it, but 'there's none so deaf as those who will not hear' as my grannie used to say.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: stevewise
Date: 28 Dec 10 - 11:59 AM

this is good - but I think pressure should be brought on the BBC to support a wide range of music - after all, the Beeb is internationally renowned which is why the argument proposed in one of the messages from a BBC executive that Folkwaves is somehow not serving the local community if mad. When local folks bands and the local folk scene are advertised world-wide, how is that not serving the community. A community radio solution would be better than nothing - but I think we should press for a change of heart from the BBC.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: Bernard
Date: 28 Dec 10 - 11:43 AM

Hopefully the phoenix will rise from the ashes, possibly on a community radio channel... it worked for Sounds of Folk when Ali and I were booted out of BBC GMR for similar reasons - we're only a couple of weeks away from programme 200 on Oldham Community Radio 99.7fm.

Okay, I keep banging on about this, but as we've been through it and seen the other side of the argument I'm in a good position to see this objectively... we wouldn't want to go back to the Beeb, because community radio stations are friendlier!!

So come on, someone in community radio in the Derby area - sort out Folkwaves as a matter of urgency!

I did a quick search to see what community stations operate in the area, but all I got was hits for Radio Derby... so I've emailed OFCOM to ask the question.

When I hear something I'll let you know!

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: stevewise
Date: 28 Dec 10 - 11:29 AM

I just listened to the final show via the iplayer. Did anyone else get tearful when they played The Parting Glass?

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 28 Dec 10 - 10:40 AM

One idea might be to inundate the studio with campaigning emails every Monday evening expressing the lack of interest in the new programme, complaints about lack of folk music output etc. etc. - it costs nothing to do that.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: stevewise
Date: 28 Dec 10 - 10:03 AM

wow - what a great post from lizzie cornish. now that the last show has been broadcast, it must be time to start a 'bring back folkwaves' campaign? what would be the best forum for this? it's no good simply grumbling to each other. any bright ideas anyone?

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,Andrew Smith
Date: 28 Dec 10 - 01:36 AM

I listen to Folkwaves on the I Player whenever I can so am very sorry to learn of the demise of another specialist music programme. The BBC has made a big mistake. Heart-less I would say so I add my small voice to the large crowd of protesters.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 27 Dec 10 - 05:43 PM

Mick and Lester finished their last programme buy playing The Voice Squads version of "The Parting Glass"
A very apposite choice.
RIP Folkwaves...

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: Sugwash
Date: 27 Dec 10 - 05:22 PM

Hey Rob, an atheist who knows his Bible, hedging your bets a bit there. I guess you know what I meant though; whisky buggered up the usual academic rigour I strive to maintain.

To Mick and Lester, all the very best for the future, a future a good deal less bright without Folkwaves to listen to.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,Pete Mann
Date: 27 Dec 10 - 03:18 PM

Very difficlult to follow the piece from Lizzie Cornish - she has got it all.

She is so right - the BBC is only interested in pumping out yet more low-quality music and chat. The trouble with folk music is that much of it has a message within the words - how many pop songs can claim that? The BBC seems to have assumed that all its audience are numptes with a low brain cell count.

The BBC say that they need to appeal to a wider audience - strange that, because if you visit areas of the BBC like BBC3, it is full of material aimed at minority audiences for instance alternative comedy. Much of it is garbage, yet we can't retain a programme of true quality, like 'Folkwaves'.

A sad day indeed.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 27 Dec 10 - 12:34 PM

My email to Simon Cornes at the BBC:


>>>>>Dear Simon,

My name is Lizzie Cornish and a few years back I started a 'live' messageboard thread for Folkwaves, on the BBC Radio 2 Folk & Acoustic Board.

Each Monday evening many of us would 'tune in' to the F&A board to listen live, around the world...folks from Canada and Florida joined in with me, as well as folks from all over the UK.

I'd recently become an English Folk Music convert, nay, GROUPIE, (lol), after finding this amazing music via a great band called Show of Hands, who of course now so often headline at every major folk festival in the UK, during the summer months.

Through them I dared to dip my toe into the waters of English Folk, because they removed the 'trainspotter' image of it, making it funky and fun...

Through them I also started to discover the heritage of The West Country..

I started to dip my toe in further, and the deeper I dipped the more amazed I became at some of the most beautiful music I'd ever heard. It was music that told of our traditions, as a Nation and a People..a living, moving, breathing History which brought the Past right out into the Present..

Well, I found John Tams, who of course, has won countless Radio 2 Folk Awards, as have Show of Hands..and through John I also discovered Barry Coope and....from there, the fabulous Coope Boyes & Simpson, with of course, Lester Simpson, who hosts Folkwaves, along with Mick Peat...

So, I gave their show a listen..and BOY!! did I LEARN oooodles of interesting information, alongside hearing some spectacular music, learning more about the traditions of my country, the history, the people..

I realised that I was listening to a radio programme that was incredibly special...and so I started the 'live' link-up on the Radio 2 Folk & Acoustic Board....

Within weeks the Folkwaves Thread had become the biggest thread on that board...and we even got a 'Listen Again' button added to Folkwaves, which Mel, the Smooth Ops host of that board, told us about, with great delight, knowing how pleased everyone would be.

It was something that had never happened before...this 'live' universal listening around the globe to Mick and Lester's show...and 'Ay Up Me Duck' became a national treasure phrase...as we'd all sit there listening to the many folk meetings, dances, festivals etc, which were taking place around the Derbyshire area...

It was such great fun, an absolute joy!

And then..Smooth Ops closed down the Folkwaves thread, saying their computer could no longer take the vast amount of messages on it..which of course was not true. But Folkwaves was turning into a Phenomenon, outstripping Smooth Ops own Mike Harding Show by miles..

Lester and Mike became our heroes..informing and igniting folks around the world to come together in their love of beautiful music and a grand sense of humour..

Now, I hear that Radio Derby has, for some extraordinary reason, decided to end Folkwaves, forever..

Why?

The word on the street, from the BBC is that you have to move with the times, focus on a new audience, make things more popular....and yet you already HAVE one of, if not THE MOST POPULAR folk radio programme in the country!

Why would you choose to destroy that?

Folk music is so much on the up at the moment. It's been growing for years and years, but now it's breaking through the wall that has been placed around it for decades. Many of our best musicians, singers and artists are within this talented world...It is a whole Movement! Our folk festivals sell out around the country, year upon year..bringing in tens of thousands of people to towns all over the nation.

It's a vibrant, colourful, rainbow world of talent..and one which I love with all my heart!

Heck, I wrote 15,000 words alone on the very first Sidmouth Folk Week a few years back, after Sidmouth International Festival had closed down..doing a 'live' write in on the F&A board as well.

To throw away one of the best and most popular folk programmes in the country makes no sense to me, or to the many thousands of people who've come together to try to save Folkwaves.

It's far more than a Programme, Simon...Folkwaves is a Community!

I've watched, over the past two decade or more, my country become lost...separated from its traditions, its history, its roots..and it has made me so desperately sad and worried...

Yet, these past few years I've also watched many people within the Folk World working their butts off to preserve those very traditions, the songs, the dances, the stories of the English People.

Ireland, Scotland and Wales are so PROUD of who they are, of their roots, but we are seemingly not allowed to be...and instead of protecting what we have left, we seem to be hellbent on wiping it out completely.

Folkwaves is a show run by intelligent and inspirational men, talented singers and musicians who are passionate, absolutely passionate about their passion...and Coope Boyes and Simpson, along with John Tams, Show of Hands and all the very many, many others work *their* backsides off to spread the word, the songs, the heritage of us all, to as many folks as they can reach.

Derbyshiire had 'a place on the map' in the International Marketplace of Radio, purely *because* of Folkwaves...

There have been petitions, letters, phone calls, threads on many music boards and even a Facebook page with hundreds of people rushing to sign up, all in a huge effort to save this wonderful programme.

Therefore, I urge you, from the bottom of your hearts, up at Radio Derby to reconsider your decision and save this programme for future generations who at present know so little of their past.

Yes, I'm passionate about Folkwaves, you bet I am! And one of the reasons is that I've learned such a lot from it..and I'm absolutely bloody passionate about Educating UP rather than this terrible Dumbing DOWN that has been such a huge part of our nation for so very long...

PLEASE, those within Radio Derby, PLEASE, PLEASE look again at this terrible decision...BE strong and proud, oh so PROUD of having THE BEST folk programme on the Planet...

Protect it!
Treasure it!
and most of all...
LOVE IT...

Love it as much as the rest of us do, out here!

With love and gentle smiles to you all, and with all my fingers and toes crossed that just for once, the *right* decision will be made by men and women who really do have the inner strength to recognise something very, very special within their programming.

Lizzie :0) <<<<


And if Mick and Lester ever get to read this, then THANK YOU for such a wonderful programme. We all love you dearly and will miss you like mad, but I'm sure that everyone here would wish you both much love and happiness for the future..and I sure as hell hope that maybe Simon reads his emails and Thinks Again!

Lizzie xxx

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 27 Dec 10 - 12:21 PM

Sorry I can't be there, but hope all goes well with the protest.

I will also be listening on the Internet.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: RamblinStu
Date: 27 Dec 10 - 11:49 AM

I will be listening to Folkwaves tonight via tinternet.

Can't make it to Derby tonight but I'll be there in spirit.

I will also send some more emails of support, to them and the suits during the programme, be good if others do likewise. As a further reminder of the popularity of Folkwaves

Thanks Mick and Lester for the years of fun.

Stuart Pendrill

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 26 Dec 10 - 04:45 PM

Sugwash: Peace on Earth and good will to all men - although personally I'd like to exclude the BBC local radio managers in the East Midlands

You can legitimately do that...the correct translation of the original verse in the bible is "and on earth be peace to men of good will", NOT a blanket wish of peace to ALL men. So if you don't reckon the BBC local radio Managers are "men of good will" then don't wish 'em peace :-)

(posted by an atheist!)