DTG asked me earlier 'From the responses so far then, what would you say the state of folk music in the UK currently is? ...... Folk music may have evolved a little since 1954 but I think that in the main we have nothing to worry about.'

My own impression is that folk music in the UK (as I described the genre in my opening comment and is broadly accepted by many people here I think) is generally in good health.

I am at the moment listening to Jim Moray's latest release which is, I think, exclusively made up of traditional songs and I'm looking forward very much to Jon Boden's new CD which also will include much traditional material alongside some of his own superb songwriting. Jon's Folk Song A Day project has also been a great resource of traditional material.

There are many young artists making superb music that I would categorise as folk and, certainly in York and around there is plenty of opportunity to participate in music sessions, though singarounds are thinner on the ground - though as I do not usually attend these I may be out of the loop. Having said that the Black Swan Folk Club does have a Singers and Musicians night once a month.

Festivals are thriving (I am off to Musicport this weekend which features folk music from across the world - though perhaps not in the form that some here would appreciate) and, along with most festivals I am aware of, offers workshops and other participatory activities

As had been mentioned by others I think the main challenge is the availability of venues and this I think has been more of an issue than people not exclusively performing/ sharing a more tightly defined class of folk songs. Of course other issues eg easier access to music via the internet, cost of going out for a night, austerity, a far greater range of live music options will have also had an impact on clubs and again I consider these even individually, let alone collectively, will have had more of an impact on attendances than what types of songs are sung. The Black Swan Folk Club in York is sold out or close to sold out when I attend and so they must be doing something right!

So generally I would say the folk scene is in good health (but does need to be nurtured and supported) and I am enjoying the fact that I can discover new music easily as well as still hearing those artists I grew up on Jez Lowe, Wilson Family, Bob Fox, Runrig, Steeleye Span etc.