Al - I have an easy approach to dealing with the negativity..
I just ignore it...

Apart from mudcat, I have nothing to do with the 'formal' folk scene...

I could say Mudcat and it's melodramas; and any restrictive orthodoxies clung onto by the acoustic 'folk establishment',
are not as important influencing factors in British music in 2019,
as much as some folks would like it to be,
or maybe even think it is...???

But if I did say that, I could justly be accused of being bitter and prejudiced,
disregarding all the good positive people here, and in folk clubs all around the UK..
Who do understand where folk stands in relation to our much wider music culture,
and who do enjoy actively participating in popular culture ouside folk clubs...

Though I do think it is useful for me to maintain an awareness of more extreme UK folkie 'obsessions and doctrines';
and that's one of the functions mudcat has for me..

But it's not the main reason I come here..
I genuinely value mudcat as an educative resource...
I'm hoping I've got a few active years left in which to glean what I can from here.
For if and when I ever get time for myself back again,
and manage to record trad folk songs
the way I want to hear them for my own satisfaction;
and maybe hopefully for a few like minded listeners on the internet...

Home project recording studio musicians like me might be one growing aspect of 'The current state of folk music in UK'..
Esentially, keen 21st Century folk music hobbyists,
who consider love and respect for the music more important than the gregarious folkie social life...

Obviously, a good few hundred quid more a month might have made a difference
to the lifestyle I've ended up with...???