Dick, you seem to be missing the reality that only in short bursts does English media and authority recognise our folk culture. This has been the case for centuries. Irish, Scottish, Welsh have always shown a much greater interest in their culture mainly to assert their separation from the dominant neighbour. A little progress is made now and then, but any assertion of Englishness is nowadays seen as nationalism and in fact anti-globalism, and many of us are wary of being appropriated by the far right. Tourism also has something to do with this. English tourism largely relies on scenery, stately homes and more elite culture. Its folk culture is made very little of. We would all like a fairer slice of the public funding but with the current regimes this is highly unlikely.

Which is why we just get on with it, provide our own funding and run lots of free events.