Speaking as an ex-pat Brit living in Canada for the past 33 years.
It,(the award stuff) gives me some idea of what/who is considered good enough to give an award to. I can then look out for said people at festivals, folk clubs, CD's etc when I am over there. There again the only two I don't know or haven't heard from the list above are Lau and Sam Carter.
John Kirkpatrick, musician of the year? he was brilliant when I lived in the UK, HE should be getting a life time achievement award.
btw. are Martin and Norma having a year off or something :)