I have just seen this thread. This is dire news. I suspect that MoorleyMan may have hit on part of the plan by mentioning sport. As someone in Shropshire I listen to Folkwaves via t'internet & indeed record the programme using a nifty piece of software on my iMac but I have to remain aware when Notts, Derby or Leics are broadcasting footie so that I'm recording Folkwaves from the appropriate transmitter & not dread sport.

I've not heard any whispers about Radio Shropshire removing Genevieve Tudor's Sunday Folk. I will stick my neck out and say I doubt it would happen as Genevieve is a BBC Shropshire employee and works on other programmes too. I suspect this is the problem for Radio Derby in that the presenters are 'guests' not full time staff and, as such, easier for the accountants to remove when dealing with bottom line sums, regardless of the programmes significance in BBC English airwaves Folk broadcasting.

How blooming ironic this news comes out on the week BBC Four TV will be screening 2 Folk Dance programmes praising the importance of Regional Folk and archive film on UK Folk in the 50's, 60's & 70's:

BBC Preview videos
The Most Unusual Dance in England? - Still Folk Dancing...After All These Years

The Ancient English Horn Dance! - Still Folk Dancing...After All These Years

Folkwaves is another upset on this day of awful news for those of us who believe in a free at the point of contact UK Education for all especially Music and the Arts. This could become nigh unobtainable at University level even if the Universities can afford to run the courses. What are the chances of the Newcastle Uni Folk Degree remaining viable anyone?