Before the arguments start about whether so-and-so should have got an award, am I alone in feeling that the whole "awards" culture should have no place in Folk Music?

The folk scene is a a grass-roots democratic movement, and the idea that someone is "the best" and the others are "also-rans" is an anathema to this. Everyone has something to offer, from the professional singer to the average floor singer at a singers night. Audiences just want to hear good music, performed well and with sincerity, and will make their minds up without any media-driven "awards" ceremony.