I agree with you about Alan Ball, Chris.

Taking your query about Alan Bell at face value (I hope you were not being sarky): He has written some great songs that are dangerously close to being thought of as traditional - I heard his Windmill being referred to as such -, has been an organiser of more clubs and festivals than I have had hot dinners (and I have had a few!); runs one of the most successful folk festivals in the UK (Fylde).