I agree that folk festivals are largely invisible to the BBC. Cambridge, which is somewhat pop/rock-influenced and is not typical of British folk festivals, is the only one that gets regular airings.

Just think of all the stuff that goes on in a typical day at Sidmouth, or Towersey, or Whitby - there are great-quality performances by big national names, as well as lots of grass-roots contributions by the wider folk community, who spend their time not only attending concerts but dancing, playing and singing their hearts out. A season of programmes from festivals across the UK would do a great deal to show the wider public what the folk scene is really about.

Of course, a determined producer could fill the show up with out-of-tune singers, pewter tankards, flamboyant wackiness ("Ooh, look at me, my socks are different colours!")etc, but it would be hard to ignore the enthusiastic participation of young people and families as well as the older traditional folkies at these events.

It would be a good place to start.

Marje