"if you had wanted to join in this session, a session run by older people, who refused to let you play? You'd have been angry I'd guess"

We didn't refuse to let anyone play. The original rant on which this thread is based stated that the guy in question walked out because he didn't enjoy our music. We never refuse to let anyone play with us. We see folk the same way we see swingers partys... the more the merrier.

"You are it's future, you are it's lifeblood, you therefore carry a huge responsibilty upon your shoulders."

Please elaborate on aforementioned responsibility. I play a great deal of genres, both for pleasure and professionally. I fail to see how we as youngsters carry a responsibility for folk music. If people enjoy any genre of music it will thrive. If support for a genre of music dies out the genre follows suit. The music I play with the musicians I'm priveleged to play with doesn't actually seem to be dying. If, as you seem to think, Polite Guest, I carry a responsibilty for singer/songwriters of the folk persuasion then I feel you are mistaken.

If there is public support for any genre then It will never die. In my experience the music I play is supported by both punters and professionals, obviously I can't please everyone but neither can you, or indeed anyone.

Please don't be yet another person who tells me about young peoples responsibility to preserve folk music and then grumble when it's not how you did it X number of years ago. Traditions evolve just like everything else does.I don't force you to listen my music.