I think a big change in England, has been the effect of the far eastern instruments being imported.

I first heard folk music when I went away to a posh boarding school. The kids were really rich and they owned Levins, Harmony sovereigns. A levin at this time cost more than my Dad earned in a month. In fact a Levin cost more than my monthly paycheck when I started work in 1971.

Nowadays you can buy a good playable instrument,for less than what most people earn in a couple of days.

Also there has been a big change in attitude about music as a career. People talk about the music industry. There is more access to tuition.

For these reasons, I think it is not so much a preserve of the middle classes. It is less exclusive.

Perhaps what we need to do is follow Basil Fawlty's example when he organised his gourmet night - a sign outside every folk club - NO RIFF RAFF!