Well things are changing in society, not just in folksong circles. They ran a series of Billy Bunter stories serialised in the morning on Radio 7. Apparently some kids were really traumatised by the sound of Quelch giving Bunter six of the best. they certainly never repeated them.

Its probably all for the best - but surely there is such a lot that we must not throw away. technique - not just instruments, but story telling in a song, the singer engaging with the piece. the essence of the piece - not merely the literal words and meaning.