Dave S, there may have been "precious little" folk music on the radio in the 60s, but what there was accurately reflected the folk scene - by the late 60s when I started to take an interest, "Folk on Friday" presented by the great Jim Lloyd presented mainly British, mainly traditional material.

I think this, and related threads, reflect the frustration that many feel that the only folk programme on the national radio network, and the only high-profile folk awards, are of little interest to the very people who are most involved in presenting and performing folk music.

I used to delay going out to my local folk club until I had listened to Folk on Friday. Now I hardly ever bother with Mike Harding's show, and when on occasion I do catch it, it only confirms that I am right to ignore it.

The folk awards, MH's show and Smooth Ops are what they are. There's nothing wrong with what they do, the problem is they're the only show in town.