Jim - its as well to write bile off as best we can, wherever it comes from.

We have all come to our positions on folk music by dint of getting off our arses and doing it (at least everyone in this conversation).

perhaps a bit of mutual respect for the others point of view needs to come into the equation.

Personally I find folk music a confusing subject. I am a recent immigrant into the West Country. Last night i went to the first concert I had ever been to of The Wurzels with a Young band the Skimmity Hitchers as a support at Bridport Electric Palace.

I've never heard music like that before. All traditional songs with a updated West Country lyrics. We didn't last very long as Denise is disabled and there was a very energetic mos pit and she couldn't see anything. I tend to leave concerts where disabled people are excluded or not thought of.

There are lots of diverse approaches to folk music. There were people there last night of all ages, and they obviously saw The Wurzels as the voice of their community. Music to dance and drink to. And the audience seemed to know all their songs.

There is diversity in folk music and we should try to respect each others efforts.