Spooky! People have had a virtually identical 'response' from John Ryan...

GMR isn't the first, and it looks as if it won't be the last to get this 'talk-based core programming' crap... unless something is done.

Like I said - Michael Grade is probably the person to target.

We also need to find out who else in the pecking order we can bombard with complaints. The only way they are going to have their corporate 'mind' changed is to be shown how deep the feelings run, and how damaging to their audience figures this action could be.

Local radio needs to present not only local folk music, but other subjects of local interest. 'Mainstreaming' such things not only dilutes the quality and quantity, but also takes the focus away.

A specific programme at a specific time each week gives people a focus. It is the way many people think - 'I must tune in at 8:00pm for my programme'... 'I Haven't a Clue' is a prime example cited on their own website... are they planning to axe that an assimilate it into 'talk-based core programming'. Don't be daft!

GMR had an ideal programming sequence every Monday which encouraged people to stay tuned longer than just their specific programme of interest - 'The Parlour' at 7:00pm, a 'magazine' programme aimed at the Irish community, 'Sounds of Folk' at 8:00pm (you know about that one!) and 'GMR Country' at 9:00pm with local Country music, news and interviews.

Three hours of fairly diverse interests - yet I know many people who tuned in at seven and stayed right through to ten. It's almost as if it was planned that way...

Can anyone explain to me why the Beeb thought that needed changing?

Perhaps the wider picture is the direction in which our complaints should be addressed? The powers-that-be may see Folk as a niche market, which they may choose not to take seriously... but putting three niche markets together makes a stronger case.

It seems to me the programmers haven't quite as good a grasp on what people want as they arrogantly think they have... admirably demonstrated by their decision (again!) to take Fred Fielder's Sunday programme off air. They tried that unsuccessfully once before...! Worse still, this time they are replacing him with... Becky Want... I used to listen to Fred, but Becky? No thanks!!

They are making dodgy decisions at our expense - we pay their wages with our licence fee...