The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: SRD
Date: 10 Dec 10 - 03:55 AM

>>GUEST,Dave Eyre - PM
Date: 09 Dec 10 - 07:50 AM

I have spoken to BBC Radio Derby. They confirm the show is due to be axed. The woman I spoke to said she thought it was the end of January.

They are currently preparing a press release - ring up and ask for a copy to be emailed to you.

Also you might consider complaining to Feedback - produced by Whistledown Productions. This cannot be anything to do with saving money - the show must cost very little.<<

Unfortunately Feedback has just finished its latest run so any reaction from them will be well after the time this is all done and dusted.

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: GUEST,GuestSG
Date: 10 Dec 10 - 04:37 AM

Who arrived at this disgraceful decision? How can they possibly justify the removal of one of the best produced and presented shows, hosted as it is by two expert, experienced performers such as Mick and Lester? Presumably, as there seems no suggestion or likelihood of of the removal of other "specialist" music programmes from the schedules, e.g. Tuesday's Country music show, Wednesday's "Celtic Fringe" or Thursday's "Jazz Incorporated", it is a clearly discriminatory act against one form of "minority" music. There can be no possible grounds for removing Mick and Lester, they are just so good at what they do: they are not being moved aside in favour of others, it seems as if it is just a case of "picking on" an easy target. The question of cost is irrelevant: The presenters are free-lance and cost a fraction of what it costs to produce other shows: whatever is put in its place will almost certainly cost more than "Folkwaves". Just a thought - as "Folkwaves" is the only East Midlands programme broadcast from B.B.C. Radio Derby, maybe protestations and representations to the remaining B.B.C. East Midlands local stations( i.e. Radios Nottingham, Leicester and Lincolnshire) might perhaps help ? No, thought not, but you never know.............

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 10 Dec 10 - 05:34 AM

S.G please see my post from yesterday regarding how "Folkwaves" evolved. We could try the other stations but history would say that we would be pissing in the wind.

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: GUEST,MC Fat (at work)
Date: 10 Dec 10 - 05:59 AM

I too am flabbergasted. Having been on the programme and seen how it works Lester and Mick are true 'professionals'. They appear to receive very little help at the station so it must cost peanuts to the Beeb. What a bunch of short sighted pricks the management must be.

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: Mitch the Bass
Date: 10 Dec 10 - 06:16 AM

I've quickly put together a set of forums at http://www.folkwaves.co.uk

There's a general discussion area and one for each of the "Gig Guide" areas so that event organisers can advertise. I'll add an event calendar when I've time and make the site sexier.

I've also sent a mail to Mick (well Celia actually) and asked him to mention the site on the programme.

Mick told us (The Derbyshire Volunteers) on Tuesday night. Needless to say all were shocked.

Mitch

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 10 Dec 10 - 07:17 AM

How about suggesting something from the show is played on Radio 4's pick of the week? Might perhaps raise the profile nationally.

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 10 Dec 10 - 11:23 AM

Seems to me that there is a sinister plot to deny people the right to listen to their own folk song and music and participate in social and traditional gatherings

I wonder just how many people on aweekly basis attend folk clubs, sessions and concerts and listen in to find out who is on where and what CDs and music is available and about forthcoming Festivals

We in England have seen the gradual disappearance of our folk national culture

Big business seems to have a strangle hold on the stuff THEY would like us to listen to, folk has been held down for far too long!!

Do the BBC not have a duty to preserve our English identity? folk music is little represented currently and over the years I have seen the demise of virtually all programmes in Yorkshire with support vested in Radio Derby!!

see also facebook

Ray

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: GUEST,glueman
Date: 10 Dec 10 - 11:34 AM

I wonder if Radio Derby are planning to axe Folkwaves and bring in an alternative folk programme?

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: GUEST,Dave Eyre
Date: 10 Dec 10 - 12:25 PM

To Glueman. The press statement read:

Radio stations regularly review their programming, and after a wide ranging review of evening programmes in the East Midlands, we are extending the hours of broadcast to 1am and providing a new early-evening programme designed to appeal to a wider number of licence fee payers.

More of what there is already. And still they haven't realised radio listeners do not pay licence fees.

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: GUEST,glueman
Date: 10 Dec 10 - 12:48 PM

It's shoddy however you look at it. Folkwaves and the occasional football commentary is the only local radio I listen to and I'm not even in the broadcast region.
Most BBC local radio presenters make Alan Partridge sound like Jacob Bronowski.

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 10 Dec 10 - 02:03 PM

Hmm, I note with interest the post that mentioned
>>there seems no suggestion or likelihood of of the removal of other "specialist" music programmes from the schedules, e.g. Tuesday's Country music show, Wednesday's "Celtic Fringe" or Thursday's "Jazz Incorporated"<<.
That would imply discrimination purely on the basis of Folkwaves being on the wrong night of the week, the rationale being a similar one for that which took the Ayrton programme from BBC North - ie to broadcast a live sport programme instead on that particular night of the week.
But then there was this other quote: >>new early-evening programme designed to appeal to a wider number of licence fee payers<< - I wonder that this might contain, then?! A live broadcast of Strictly Come Something?
So we're none the wiser are we?

Why oh why does it always seems to be the case that the managers will pick on those very folks who do the job properly and professionally, yet who happen not to be "salaried broadcasting staff" - they obviously show the latter up for the amateurs they are. Mick and Lester are two of the finest and most able broadcasters/presenters/communicators on the planet, and they shouldn't have to take this kind of abject insult to their integrity lying down.
So anyway, I've emailed my protest, and urge us all to do likewise.
Power to the people!
MM

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: GUEST,Ken J.
Date: 10 Dec 10 - 03:42 PM

I sent a card from the USA today.

I am heartbroken. Folkwaves has become my favorite folk radio show; I have a ritual where I cue the replay up each weekend while I work on several sessions of kitchen chores. It's a big influence on my CD orders from the UK.

I've been listening to the BBC online since 2002 and this year it seems like the BBC world is moving in a bad way. Charlie Gillett died, Verity Sharp departed Late Junction, Archie Fisher was forced into retirement. Now DJ Ritu's world music show in Gillett's timeslot is to be axed along with Folkwaves.

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: danensis
Date: 10 Dec 10 - 03:56 PM

I just tried to raise a formal complaint on the BBC website:
Complaints form

and got the message:

"The server is temporarily unable to service your request due to maintenance downtime or capacity problems. Please try again later."

Is that everyone here complaining?

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: danensis
Date: 10 Dec 10 - 04:01 PM

I just mailed this. Thanks to those whose notes above I have pilfered!

I have just heard the news about the plans to scrap the Folkwaves programme on BBC Radio Derby, Leicester and Lincoln.

This is one of the finest folk music programmes on the radio.

I have listened to folk programmes on Merseyside, West Yorkshire and Humberside, but for depth of content and the knowledge of the presenters, there is nothing to match Folkwaves.

I do hope you will reverse this decision. At the BBC's annual Frank Gillard awards in 2009 the judges called BBC Radio Derby an "out and about station that feels well connected to its audience and its area with likeable presenters and good touches of humour". Folkwaves represents all this and more.

At a time when more and more young people are attending folk clubs, playing folk music, and joining in folk dance, it does seem a rather poor time to be axing this show, which fits so well with the BBC's remit to "provide opportunities for new and emerging musicians from the local area and support local arts and music events by providing event information".

The diaries are a key factor with Folkwaves and there are many events I have attended that I would not have known about had it not been for Folkwaves.

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: GUEST,Brackenrigg
Date: 10 Dec 10 - 06:15 PM

Local radio (kickball) might be listened to by non-licence payers, but it is not run for their benefit. Only the licence-payer should have their say, and we are angry.

I am a little surprised about the lack of response from, shall we say, "famous names", the sort of people who are interviewed, performed live, and have tracks played regularly on Folkwaves, who will now have less pulicity and folk profile without the GigGuide. How else are clubs and sessions going to let everyone know in one place, what is going on?

I implore everyone to get as much mileage of publicity against this stupidity, as soon as possible, and get some Christmas cards sent to Folkwaves.

Long live Mike & Lester

Geoff Wright

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: Acorn4
Date: 10 Dec 10 - 06:30 PM

Many of the "famous names" don't live in the East Midlands so may not realise yet, but will, I imagine, get involved once the bush telegraph gets the news around. They all have websites with how to contact them. It is getting increasingly hard for many of them to make a living, so it will be in their interest I would have thought.

I've already done a few.

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Dec 10 - 06:40 PM

danesis, I found the same if I followed the link and chose "complaint," but when I chose "comment" I got through just fine. If their complaint box is full, we can fill up the comments etc.!

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: RamblinStu
Date: 10 Dec 10 - 07:03 PM

I had the same prob as katlaughing, with the BBC's complaint form. I'll try again tomorrow

Meanwhile this is worth a look at


Save Folkwaves

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 10 Dec 10 - 07:48 PM

Another disgraceful decision by the BBC! A great loss to folk music locally and further afield. Mick and Lester have become members of our household!

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: GUEST,chris
Date: 11 Dec 10 - 04:27 AM

A number of local radio programmes take phone calls from their listeners. Perhaps we should ring into all progs. with 'ring ins' and complain and/or ask questions - maybe they will 'listen' then.
It would be tempting to accuse the BBC of prejudice against folk music or maybe it's more a question of fear of accusations of prejudice from other 'minorities'should they attack them - obviously 'English music lovers' are not a minority that the BBC worry about offending
chris

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: Acorn4
Date: 11 Dec 10 - 08:54 AM

I emailed Show of Hands from their website and got a very quick reply:-


Dave
Anything I can say or do please let me know. Its an excellent show and deserves to continue.


Regards


Phil Beer

I'm sure many of the performers will get involved, but probably feel as helpless as the rest of us given the timescale. At least they have a bit of a platform to voice people's opinions of the whole thing from.

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: Acorn4
Date: 11 Dec 10 - 10:23 AM

By "PERFORMERS" , of course I men those with access to large audiences as with SOH.

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Dec 10 - 12:50 PM

PaulB
I have been thinking of ways of protesting and making an impact without the need to attack anybody

How about as many people as possible dumping, sorry recycling old radios each one with a "save folkwaves" label to radio derby offices en mass with some sympathetic press coverage.

Or perhaps a threat to have several morris sides following round the person who made the decision and dancing on every available occasion.

The person who decided to terminate folkwaves is not the same bbc pinhead who assassinated Tony Capstick of bbc Sheffield is it?

Yours in both sorrow and anger
Grumpy Pablo

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: Joules
Date: 12 Dec 10 - 07:28 AM

I have also tried on a couple of occasions to make a formal complaint on the BBC official complaint form, but I too am having the same problem as everyone else. Maybe this is not just coincidence ?
A few "names" are posting comments on the facebook page but I think we will need a lot more so please pass the word around

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: Acorn4
Date: 12 Dec 10 - 01:59 PM

Apparently it is now known on "Britfolk" which a lot of the artists use, so they will be wading in with their protests hopefully.

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: GUEST,John Greenwood
Date: 12 Dec 10 - 05:47 PM

I am appalled at this act of vandalism. Why can't Folkwaves be rescheduled to a later time, rather than being replaced? That way the new programme (sport or whatever) can take the air whilst Folkwaves listeners can either tune in live at the new time or 'Play it again, Sam' via the BBC iplayer as many do now. Rather than a 'fait accompli' that sounds like a workable compromise (or am I being naive in thinking that a way to retain Folkwaves can be found?

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: brother
Date: 12 Dec 10 - 06:12 PM

This is without a doubt a ridiculous move. As someone who drives long distance , I listened to a lot of Radio , I say listened , because the standard of London Radio ( radio 4 ,radio 2 etc) is so awful ,that I take talking books . Folkwaves was something to look forward to as I drove through that area ,and was also able to catch it on the web.Complaints?? I think the answer is usually " our research has shown etc" Why not go to the next logical step and transmit muzac.

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: Acorn4
Date: 12 Dec 10 - 07:28 PM

The sport thing hasn't really been a big issue. Leicester, Forest and Derby have never all played on a Monday at the same time, so with increasing internet radio listeners have always been able to tune in to one of the others, or "listen again"".

We support Leicester City and love Folkwaves, and it has not been a major issue although I know Mick and Lester have madde the odd barbed comment.

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: DG&D Dave
Date: 13 Dec 10 - 04:19 AM

Just tried the BBC Complaints form from danensis's post and it worked fine.
I'll post the response when/if I get one.
My fondest memory of the show was when Barry Coope and Lester were presenting and they played the Kipper Family's Lightweight Dirge.
The song contains a low level expletive. But, because of the time of day they were obliged to use a bleeper to cover the word.
Thanks to the wonders of live radio and Barry's (or Lester's) near perfect timing, they bleeped out the word before the expletive and left the expletive on the air.
Keep up the good work Mick and Lester.
Looking forward to listening-in tonight.
Dave B.

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: GUEST,S.G.
Date: 13 Dec 10 - 04:23 AM

The decision to axe "Folkwaves" was not even made at Radio Derby. Apparently the person responsible is Stuart Thomas, Head of Regional and Local Programmes, Nottingham. His e-mail adress is:-
[e-mail] - I'm reliably informed that he is "a decent chap" - I think we need to put that to the test right now.

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: Sugwash
Date: 13 Dec 10 - 05:35 AM

Thanks for that SG, I've fired off an email to Mr Thomas, I can only hope that he reads it and takes note.

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 13 Dec 10 - 08:34 AM

Just got this e-mail back from

Thanks for getting in touch about the planned changes to our evening schedule.

Over recent months we have carried out a full review of our schedule after 7pm and, driven primarily by a change in listeners' lifestyles, we have decided to make a number of major changes.

The end of the "9 to 5" culture and the rise in people using the internet in the evening has led to a decrease in people sitting down to watch television together and an increase in the audience available to listen to the radio. With almost all commercial radio in the East Midlands no longer local or even regional in the evening, we feel it is part of our public service remit to now broadcast more accessible local radio into the evening rather than super-serving fans of a particular genre of music.

Clearly the loyal fans of the current output will be extremely disappointed by the ending of some very long running programmes; however, we have taken these decisions in a bid to serve a wider number of East Midlands licence fee payers at a time of day when there is now a genuine lack of "local radio".

The new schedule will allow us to react to breaking news in the region in a way that is currently impossible, it will allow us to broadcast through until 1am and it will allow us to introduce fully local news, rather than regional news, late into the evening later in 2011.

If you wish to make further representations about the planned changes, then Stuart Thomas is the Head of Regional and Local Programmes for BBC East Midlands. He can be contacted at BBC, London Road, Nottingham, NG2 4UU.

Simon Cornes
Editor
BBC Radio Derby

So make of it what you will.

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 13 Dec 10 - 08:43 AM

it could be argued that broadcasting exclusively Pop/M.O.R. is super-serving the same sanitised genre that is being pushed out round every corner.

it seems very short sighted that rather than continuing the promote excellence in several genres (I assume Folkwaves isn't broadcast 24/7), the radio station is trying to compete for market share (listening & viewing) figures) with a 'me too' service.

Sad...

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: cobra
Date: 13 Dec 10 - 09:02 AM

I have just sent the following to Mr Cornes - many thanks for flagging up the issue on Mudcat - and \I would encourage others to publicise the planned closure as widely as possible. I will post any response from Cornes and/ or Peter Soulsby:-

"Mr Cornes,

I have today learned that BBC East Midlands is proposing to cease the above programme. If this is true it is an appalling act of vandalism on the part of the BBC regional authority. I am confident that the BBC local stations remit applies to this programme and, in particular, I would draw your attention to the following para:-.

"5.3 Stimulating creativity and cultural excellence: BBC Local Radio should contribute to this purpose amongst its audience. It should provide opportunities for new and emerging musicians from the local area and support local arts and music events by providing event information. Music output should be mainstream in peaktime and include specialist in off-peak hours. Specialist music should be appropriate to the area. Current and recent chart hits should represent no more than 15% of weekly music output."

I would be very grateful for advice from you as to how your decision in respect of "Folkwaves" delivers against this element of the remit.

I would also welcome information as to how and why this apparently unilateral decision has been taken - has there been any consultation on this matter? How much does the "Folkwaves" programme cost to deliver to your customers (sic)? What is the total wage bill for BBC East Midlands executives and producers?

What other Specialist programming programming is to be axed and can you oplease advise the basis on which each decision has been taken - listener base, cost, impact on local communities. In short, please share you business plan including any evideence of marketing intelligence you may have generated in the decision making process.

There is an increasing tendency to homogenisation of produect on BBC radio and it appears that there is a determination to ride roughshod over your listeners. I have to advise you that this is not always guaranteed to deliver desired BBC outcomes cf. the recent victory for listeners over the BBC 6 Music debacle.

You will wish to note that I am copying this e-mail to Sir Peter Soulsby, my MP. I will encourage the many fellow listeners to Folkwaves to do the same with their respective representaives.

In the meantime I look forward to your urgent responses to the questions raised in this e-mail,

Regards,etc

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: DG&D Dave
Date: 13 Dec 10 - 09:30 AM

Yep. I've just recieved the same response from Mr Cornes.
So, I've moved on to Stuart Thomas, specifically I want to know by what measure they think that the Folk genre is "Super-served"!

I anticipate a similar 'Party line' response.
But its good to 'rattle their cages' from time to time.

Good thinking cobra, MPs need alerting too.
I'll get on to Chris Williamson, my Derby North MP.

Cheers.
Dave B.

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: autoharpbob
Date: 13 Dec 10 - 09:45 AM

I got the same standard reply from Mr Cornes, and think the points raised by cobra are excellent ones. I just want to make the point that folkwaves is a shared programme, broadcast by radio's Derby, Nottingham, Lincoln and Leicester, and so serves a huge area and population. I think they will find it very hard to serve a larger number - broadcasting the Forest game would hardly draw a Lincolnshire audience for example. This just seems to me a silly cut. Why not keep it, broadcast it at a different time, but at least we could get it on iPlayer?

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: Spleen Cringe
Date: 13 Dec 10 - 09:54 AM

It's a one-size-fits-all response from Simon Cornes - I got it, too. It seems that they want to get rid of anything that doesn't fit the bland, generic content that they imagine everyone wants. So - we'll have a nation of radio stations all playing exactly the same stuff all the time. At this rate they may as well pack up and just have Radio Two. There's probably more folk on Radcliffe and Maconie than there will be on the brave new world of non-stop drive-time local radio.

Is there a future for folk, roots, world, jazz, blues and country shows? The decisions to axe of Folkwaves and A World in London and the justifications the Beeb are using suggests this may just be the tip of the iceberg.

Yet at the same time folk coverage on TV is having a mini-renaissance. Someone at the Beeb must think there's an audience for it.

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: Spleen Cringe
Date: 13 Dec 10 - 09:58 AM

Autobobharp makes a good point. Could the future of folk and other "specialist" broadcasting at the Beeb be about iPlayer-only shows and podcasts? That wouldn't be so bad for people who already like the music. Wouldn't attract much passing trade, though.

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: DG&D Dave
Date: 13 Dec 10 - 10:11 AM

Yes, but it's hard to phone-in your event news to a podcast.
Still, better than nothing though.

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 13 Dec 10 - 10:15 AM

Just had this from Stuart Thomas:

Dear Mr Naylor,
Thanks for getting in touch about the planned change to our evening schedule.

I know it is always very disappointing when a programme you enjoy comes to an end, but I can assure you we do not take such decisions lightly.

We have been reviewing our evening schedule for some time, aware that society has changed considerably in the decades since some of these programmes began, and also aware of the changes that have taken place this year in local commercial radio.

Although specialist music programmes like Folkwaves have been very popular with a loyal core of listeners, we feel that we now need to provide a programme that appeals to a wider number of licence fee payers in the East Midlands, especially as there are no longer any local or regional programmes available on commercial radio in the evenings. There are many more people available to listen to radio in the evening now, either because they're wanting something to listen to while using their computers, or because they are going to and from shift work, or just because the family don't all gather round to watch television together in the evening in the way they used to.

We also need to consider that a programme should be able to respond to breaking news in our region or big events like the recent snow, which at the moment we are unable to do.

There are many listeners to Folkwaves like yourself who listen online in both the UK and around the world, but my first responsibility has to be to the majority of licence fee payers in the East Midlands, and it is with them in mind that we are making this change.

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: Sooz
Date: 13 Dec 10 - 10:24 AM

I've had that response from both BBC Lincolnshire and Radio Derby. Haven't they all been busy this morning?

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: DG&D Dave
Date: 13 Dec 10 - 10:26 AM

And to me...

"To clarify, I think the phrase "super-served" is used to mean that we have been delivering a programme that fans of Folk will enjoy, but at the exclusion of many other listeners who may be looking to find something to listen to on their local station at that point in the day.

I'm sorry that the change to our programming has left you disappointed and hope you find something else in our offering to entertain you."

Not impressed.
Dave B.

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: RamblinStu
Date: 13 Dec 10 - 10:49 AM

I too have had the same, replies (written by executive with a degree in bull sh*t), how disappointing, if not surprising

What they say is "TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT, WE DON'T GIVE A TOSS"

Time to take action chaps, keep on at then, keep up the pressure, lets make them see the error of the ways

Keep sending emails, they are free, so we can send loads of them. Send letters and phone up, just make our presence felt

If we do nothing they will get away with....

Stuart Pendrill

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 13 Dec 10 - 12:02 PM

You can post your gigs etc on this new website. Plase join and help build this website.

http://www.folkwaves.co.uk/

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: Sooz
Date: 13 Dec 10 - 12:35 PM

Lincolnshire is broadcasting with Humberside in the evenings from January, if anyone wants to complain further, David Jennings is the Head of Regional and Local Programmes for BBC East Yorks and Lincs . He can be contacted at BBC, Queen's Court ,Hull , HU1 3RH

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: GUEST,schlimmerkerl
Date: 13 Dec 10 - 12:53 PM

@ Arthur_itus— I went to the above website http://www.folkwaves.co.uk/, and tried to register. However, the characters in the "Confirmation Code" are absolutely unintelligible. I can't, for the life of me figure out what the proper characters are. Can anyone else? Give it a try. For goodness sake, this is a music site— not the Pentagon.

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: GUEST,jonthebeard
Date: 13 Dec 10 - 12:54 PM

Living in Tenerife, UK Folk Music is difficult to find but our local pub/restaurant (not in the main tourist areas, but "up the hill" towards the volcano, el Teide), is always packed.
We go there to hear good, acoustic music and Folkwaves is so often the spawning ground for ex-pat enthusiasm and inspiration for the next meeting.
Unfortunately our local venue can only hold such evenings in alternate weeks during the main holiday seasons, so we "Folkies" listen to BBC iPlayer to keep us up to date with what is happening in our "home" locations.
The level of disgust I have heard over the past few days from our regular visitors has been astounding. To get rid of Folkwaves has been likened to "the murder of an old and much loved member of the family".
This is one of the very few BBC programmes I have listened to over the past ten years since I moved here and it has been the basis of many musical discussions and rehearsals. Also it has generated new "folkies" and spawned CD sales over the past few years. Shame on the BBC. Maybe if they produced more CDs themselves they might see the relevance of such programmes as a means of selling the music.
Heaven forbid that they should be seen as commercial but it could generate money to keep such "minority" interests on air.

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: GUEST,erbert
Date: 13 Dec 10 - 12:58 PM

Could the BBC at least consider a compromise proposal to transfer the highly regarded Folkwaves team
to a weekly spot with a broader nationwide coverage of grassroots
and new recording artists 'Folk' on Radio 6 ?

It's decisions like this where BBC executives fail to demonstrate the intelligence
to enhance rather than diminish their reputation with license payers;
leaving the BBC constantly open to attack from right wing political enemies
[ahem.. allegedly..???] sponsored by 'off shore' commercial rivals.

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 13 Dec 10 - 01:07 PM

Schlimmerkerl
Let me look into that and I will post back on here.
Thanks for reproting that.
When I joind I actually didn't have a problem. However, normally when you have that sort of coding, you normally have a voice option as well.
It is a new website and Howard Mitchell is still busy setting it up.
Best wishes
Les Worrall

Subject: RE: The end of Folkwaves
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 13 Dec 10 - 01:11 PM

I am in contact with the originator of the website, so please allow a bit of time, so we can get back to you.