Tom, you are attacking me for things I'm not saying. What I am reacting against is the view held in some quarters that the only people who should be performing "tradarts" in public are professionals and that the folk scene exists as an environment for professionals to make a living out of.

It is a tapestry, a city, a multi-faceted shimmering wondrous thing with everybody doing their bit and equally important even if not obviously in the front line.

Not them and us. Never was, never will be, mate.

Couldn't agree more.

I only heard you perform, I think, two songs with your trio, and I'm afraid I don't remember what they were

To be honest, neither can I. Are you saying that if a professional has ever recorded a version of a traditional song that we are forever in their debt if we perform it?