Exactly. I don't think anyone's saying any of those nominated don't deserve to be there, just that they seem to be drawn from a small pool and there are many other worthy contenders who seem never to get a look-in.

I was confused to read John Leonard on the BBC site saying "I'm delighted to see so many new names nominated this year." It looks to me like the usual suspects.

This is damaging to the credibility of the Awards. It's a great thing for the artists to put on their publicity, and it must be frustrating for those artists who seem to outside the magic circle. But judging by the responses no one on here (who you would think make up a significant part of the target audience) seems to take the Awards very seriously.

The other problem with any awards is that folkies are notoriously stubborn and independent-minded. Most will say, "I don't care if so-and-so's won an award, I'll make up my own mind".