As I've already mentioned, AliO and I used to broadcast 'Sounds of Folk' on BBC GMR (now Radio Manchester)... the Beeb axed 'specialist music' programmes in general, not just folk (as in the case of FolkWaves), so we simply moved our programme to another station (Oldham Community Radio), retained our audience and have gone from strength to strength. In four weeks time we will reach programme 200!

We've had guests as varied as 4Square and Trio Threlfall, and interviewed such 'big names' as Cara Dillion, Lau, Mabon, Ralph McTell and Peggy Seeger both on the telephone and on location at venues.

A few years ago we interviewed Alan Bell on BBC GMR, and in the New Year he's coming to Oldham Community Radio for a chat.

We try to embrace as wide a spectrum of 'folk' as we can - for example, last night (Monday 20th Dec 2010) we played an up-tempo version of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen played by a Steel Band from Barbados, St. Agnes Fountain's version of 'Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas' and Isambarde with 'Miner's Lifeguard' (shame they're disbanding...).

It's fact that 'folk' is a minority audience, and shoving your opinions down unreceptive throats is hardly the way to win fans. I believe that the wide range of folk radio (off-air and web-based) currently available not only caters well for addicts, but is bringing in new blood, too.

So let's not jump up and down and fight amongst ourselves... we should be celebrating the wide diversity of what is available and supporting it!