I have never said that the working class can't think. We owe much of our understanding of folk song to Bert Lloyd and Ewan MacColl (although I disapprove of the latter's adoption of a fake identity). Neither middle class scholars, but they thought about what they were doing.

But "grumpy" - yes, label accepted with thanks. As I have said above I can't put up with wilful idiocy.

"Middle Aged" - be buggered, "old", thanks.

"Bearded" - yes, and have been since the age of 17. Your problem is? Hairy too - I'm very fond of my flowing locks (while they last).

"Inclusive" - try one of my song sessions. As it says on the posters "If you can play it, bring it with you (no amplifiers). If you can sing it bring your voice". Not only do I also go to the pub karaoke nights (except for one operator who is a silly young twerp) and sing at them, and get asked to do some of the Chuck Berry stuff, but I also badger the barmaid and any of the younger singers who can sing to come and sing some unamplified stuff at the folk dos. And stick my neck out by asking some of the local travellers to come and sing some of "the old songs". Pretty much the same approach at all the song sessions I know of round here.

"Welcoming" - see above, but I'm sure the people who are less experienced at "folk" don't want to be fawned over.

"Progressive" - ah, well, although I am a limited guitar and mandolin player, actually I do think that quite a lot of what I do, although largely using folk (1954 definition) songs, is pretty progressive in the way I arrange. That however is exactly what the 1954 definition allows for.   I've also taken mandoplank and distortion pedals to full on electric jams, rather to the surprise of some guitar players. Allegedly overheard at Rochester Sweeps fest, while I had got bored sticking to the morris tunes, and was having a little shred (expression learned from a person under 30)around the tune, through my portable Vox amp "Didn't he used to be in ZZ Top?". Also heard from someone else "That's very distracting". I think I am pretty progressive the way I approach folk music, and I also sing in "folk club" and "folk session" situations stuff that is not 1954 folk. I just appreciate that it is different from 1954 folk. So I think I am pretty progressive.

Once again, glueman, you are setting up an Aunt Sally shy.