Here we go again & I want no part of any slanging match- enough of that in the House of Commons.
I know Bob has strong views and I'd go along with many of them- this thread has several oft-quoted incidents/comments from many years ago which are now in the category of 'mud sticks' & hearsay.

Sandman is right & am sure Bob would agree that introductions to songs should be brief & relevant- NOT long a long rambling precis of the song to follow, even if translation is necessary. If that degree of explanation the case, maybe a folk club is the wrong place for it?

As for the presence of traditional music in a college class, at the risk of offending old pals & academics in Newcastle, I'd say that 'traditional' music managed fine without the academic class, and i'd subscribe to Ed Pickford's tongue in cheek song 'Folk Degree'(see youtube clip) where he laments he can't get gigs any more as he doesn't have a folk degree.

There is a need for research into the tradition OF COURSE and I have no idea what goes on in folk education (I shudder to think, really) but would suggest leenia does a little more research before attacking one of the earliest and most influential of the UK revival singers.