This thread could almost be episode 2 of the one about whether folk singers and players are allowed to improve. The fact that we've now got an argument about elitism tends to suggest that they are, which must be a blessing. If there's an elite, there must be deep layers of lesser talent striving to be in the elite, or at least to emulate their idols in the elite, and that also can only be a good thing.

The original point of the thread has given me an idea for improving my local folk scene though, and boy does it need improving. I'm going to start nailing up notices in sessions and folk clubs preventing people from getting out....