The numb-brain who put that contribution in the Times must share the adolescent ignorance about folk music. There is a view which persists among "ordinary" people of folk clubs being populated with decadent hippies and grug addicts. My best friend [now deceased] would not allow his daughter to take her songwriting talents to the folk scene--and she DID have a great talent--because of his stated reasons which, in common with most benighted folks, were exactly as I describe. he had a good voice himself, and used to do a good job of "The Maid of the County Down". He thought my assertion that he was singing a "folk' song was ridiculous! My own brother [favourite song "the Mountain Dew"] once walked in as I watched and listened to Ali Bain working his magic on the fiddle. He says "What are ye watchin' that rubbish for"?
   The best of folk music , unlike the fleeting garbage churned out by the pop music industry, has been sung and played in some cases for hundreds of years, and will persist for hundreds more. That fact alone points to its value as an art form and its appeal to the large section of the populace who would resent being told that they, themselves are "folkies"!
    And Martin Gibson, please be aware that thousands, like me, have a great liking and respect for your Country music. [ as long as you don't sing "the Rhinestone Cowboy"!!]. A surprising number of us "folkies", y'see, appreciate and enjoy a broad spectrum of musical genres. I would suggest that our lives are the richer for that.