The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,S.G.
Date: 26 Dec 10 - 04:06 PM

To Mick and Lester - buckets of thanks for all you have done for folk music over the last twenty-two years and more: you and "Folkwaves" are irreplaceable and I and I suspect many others, will not care whether or not the BBC "suits" can sleep at night or not. We are all the poorer for their criminal decision but it is clear that we can no longer rely on the BBC to help preserve our national music; certainly not on a local, grassroots level. So much will be lost with the final programme - there's no point in saying that it will be excellent, because all of them were. To add a lighter note to the proceedings, it will be, as those great mates of Mick and Lester, Roaring Jelly, said of their own demise, "It's the end of an earache"! Thanks a million, fellas, you are still the best.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: Sugwash
Date: 24 Dec 10 - 07:08 PM

Peace on Earth and good will to all men - although personally I'd like to exclude the BBC local radio managers in the East Midlands.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 24 Dec 10 - 12:52 PM

Hooray and up she rises

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 24 Dec 10 - 03:42 AM

The Nottingham Post's piece was actually published last night:-

End of era as plug pulled on jazz, folk and country

PRESENTERS ditched by BBC radio in the East Midlands in a shake-up of evening programming are "furious" about the changes.
From January 1, the specialist music shows, which are simultaneously broadcast across BBC Radio Nottingham, Derby, Leicester and Lincoln, will be scrapped.
They include Jazz Incorporated, Folkwaves, Celtic Fringe and Country. Each was a weekly two-hour show, broadcast from 7pm to 9pm.
"I'm angry about it for a number of reasons," said Mick Smith, who has presented a country music show in the East Midlands for 34 years.
"We weren't consulted and allowed to put our case forward. And it's not to save money. I get about £70 for every two hour show."
He added: "They're retiring me and of course I'm sad to go but I'm angry about the way they handled it."
Jazz Incorporated presenter Chris Moore said: "It's the end of an era on our local radio.
"Past management, perhaps recognising the licence payer should have a choice, supported a jazz programme on Radio Nottingham in various forms for 38 years."
He said the programme's support for local jazz musicians and gigs would be missed.
"Despite me putting up a spirited defence, management had made their minds up that the licence payers in the East Midlands would be better served by extending the Radio Nottingham daytime programmes into the evening schedules."
Current afternoon presenter Richard Spurr will host a new show each weekday evening from 7pm to 10pm.
BBC spokesman Bryn George said: "After a wide ranging review of evening programmes in the East Midlands, we are extending the hours of broadcast to 1am and providing a new early-evening programme designed to appeal to a wider number of licence fee payers."
No-one from BBC Radio Nottingham management was prepared to be interviewed.
Jazz Incorporated and Mick Smith Country are broadcast from Nottingham, Celtic Fringe from Leicester and Folkwaves from Derby.
Mick Peat, who has been presenting Folkwaves for 22 years, said he and co-presenter Lester Simpson were notified two weeks ago.
"To take two hours of folk music off the air is a crime.
"I wonder if the people who make these decisions actually listen to anything other than pop music.
"All they are going to give us is bland radio after seven o'clock. I wouldn't mind if that included folk music but it won't.
"Folk music will die on local radio because no-one will play it, even though it's not a minority music any longer."
Local talent would no longer have an on-air presence, he said: "We promoted local talent and for many people it was a way of finding out where and when gigs were happening."
Post folk writer Dave Sutherland said: "Folkwaves has been good for the area especially in the promoting of many of our young performers.
"Mick and Lester will be sorely missed."
More than 1,400 have joined a Facebook group called Save Folkwaves.
Post jazz writer Alan Joyce added: "Local radio programmes dedicated to specialist musical genres, compiled by enthusiastic and knowledgeable presenters, will disappear forever."

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,Guest - Pragmatist
Date: 23 Dec 10 - 09:20 PM

Mick & Lester's programme was probably the best folk programme in England. (I SAY WAS BECAUSE IT IS NOT GOING TO RETURN NO MATTER HOW MUCH WE COMPLAIN - I'D LOVE TO BE PROVED WRONG!)

I know from personal experience just how much dedication Mick & Lester put into ensuring that the programme went out live when it would have been a lot easier for them to put out a pre-recorded broadcast.

I firmly believe the music will, however, despite the media and the chancers return as strong, if not stronger, than it has been.

THIS MUSIC CAN STAND ON ITS OWN. IT DOES NOT NEED THE MEDIA, GRANTS, UPDATING OR ANY OF THE OTHER MODERNISMS WITHOUT WHICH NONE OF US CAN SUPPOSEDLY SURVIVE!

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 23 Dec 10 - 02:31 PM

Folkwaves

Get it back on BBC

Subject: Folkwaves Farewell (for Now) Celebration
From: MikkinNotts
Date: 22 Dec 10 - 06:13 PM

Come along to the BBC Radio Derby studios on Monday 27th December and join fellow Folkwave fans in celebrating 25 years of the Folkwaves programme.
It will be a celebration in every sense of the word.......with music, dancing, ale and daft hats.
Bring your instruments, voices......oh, and you are encouraged (obliged really) to wear a daft hat, yes, even dafter than the ones you were wearing last Monday evening!
Let's give Mick and ...Lester the best show of appreciation we can manage.

More on Facebook.....

Facebook Event

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,Captain Jack Sparrow
Date: 22 Dec 10 - 10:30 AM

Mike Harding's Folk Blog is going to Davey Jones' locker too.

'Well, 2010 is drawing to a close and, I'm sorry to say, so is this blog. We hope to replace it with some more folky content in the future, but in the meantime I want to say "thank you" thanks to all of you for reading, and thanks to the great many guest bloggers who dropped by to give us an insight into their musical worlds.'

Mike Harding Folk Blog

I see that Mike is going out on tour in the Spring, for the first time in years. Possibly he knows something about the future of Folk On 2?

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 22 Dec 10 - 09:28 AM

Specialist music is the term that those people who are too polite to call it "minority music" use:-)

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 22 Dec 10 - 07:52 AM

As a matter of interest what is the definition of "Specialist" music?

Almost all music is definable as specialist in some aspect or another.
"Boy band" specialist.
"Girl band" specialist.
"Ballad" specialist.
"Punk" specialist.
"Rock" specialist.
"Religious" specialist.

The list is endless, and they are all banned according to their statement.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,AndyC
Date: 22 Dec 10 - 07:49 AM

In response to Granthampie, you can't just say that this is the BBC being anti-British because they are dropping country, jazz and irish programmes as well. One of the programmes being retained - The Beat - is mostly indie, rock and dance music so is just as 'British' as Folkwaves, and the black and asian programmes have a news and community information element rather than just being specialist music.

Wgere I think there is a problem, as I've posted before, is that the BBC have boxes to tick to make sure they cover traditional music and culture in the celtic nations - there is no threat to the folk shows on Radios Scotland, Wales and Ulster - but not in England. There is no 'Radio England' so it is down to local radio to cover traditional English culture, but they don't seem to see it as part of their remit (so for example Radio Scotland keeps its weekly bagpipe programme but Radio Manchester can happily drop its weekly brass band programme). The only way to challenge this would be through the BBC Trust or the senoir managers.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,S.G.
Date: 22 Dec 10 - 04:54 AM

How are Messrs. Thomas, Cornes, Bettison etc. going to justify their decision to axe the 7 - 9 "specialist" music slot on East Midlands radio in the future? It is my understanding that the RAJAR figures for this time of the evening are, for all practical purposes, immeasurable. How will they know that they have achieved their objective? Do they have such confidence in their new strategy that they expect the figures to rise so dramatically that they will have the necessary evidence to wave in our faces? I don't think so.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,sheffstu
Date: 21 Dec 10 - 04:33 PM

Where did Pete come from? Of course I mean Lester. I am glad I've got the last few years of the programme on minidisc. I will now have the chance to listen to them. Folkwaves was a fantastic and will be sorely missed.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,sheffstu
Date: 21 Dec 10 - 03:18 PM

The real reason that Folkwaves is ending is Mick and Pete's often repeated promise of a weekly playlist. This is obviously too much of a technical challenge for Radio Derby so they have binned the entire programme.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,Granthampie
Date: 21 Dec 10 - 11:06 AM

Response from Simon Cornes BBC Radio Derby
----------
Thanks for getting in touch about the planned changes to our evening schedule.

Over recent months we have carried out a full review of our schedule after 7pm and, driven primarily by a change in listeners' lifestyles, we have decided to make a number of major changes.

The end of the "9 to 5" culture and the rise in people using the internet in the evening has led to a decrease in people sitting down to watch television together and an increase in the audience available to listen to the radio. With almost all commercial radio in the East Midlands no longer local or even regional in the evening, we feel it is part of our public service remit to now broadcast more accessible local radio into the evening rather than super-serving fans of a particular genre of music.

Clearly the loyal fans of the current output will be extremely disappointed by the ending of some very long running programmes; however, we have taken these decisions in a bid to serve a wider number of East Midlands licence fee payers at a time of day when there is now a genuine lack of "local radio".

The new schedule will allow us to react to breaking news in the region in a way that is currently impossible, it will allow us to broadcast through until 1am and it will allow us to introduce fully local news, rather than regional news, late into the evening later in 2011.

If you wish to make further representations about the planned changes, then Stuart Thomas is the Head of Regional and Local Programmes for BBC East Midlands. He can be contacted at BBC, London Road , Nottingham , NG2 4UU .

Simon Cornes
Editor
BBC Radio Derby

-------------

to which I replied...

------------

well you can never have enough news and sport can you?

I assume that in not "super-serving fans of a particular genre of music", that you will be taking "Dhamaka", "The Beat", "The African and Caribbean Show", "A Touch of Soul", "Aaj Kal" off the air too?

or is it just British Culture you've got a problem with?

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,Granthampie
Date: 21 Dec 10 - 08:00 AM

A little slow off the mark here but I've only just heard about the axing of the show, which is just disgusting.

I've no idea if the BBC are likely to change their mind on this but like everyone else on here, I've emailed them and told them that they've lost "another" listener... I don't suppose they will lose any sleep over it.

I'll be listening to www.folkradio.co.uk from now on.

Have a wonderful Christmas all.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: Folkiedave
Date: 21 Dec 10 - 01:45 AM

Let me try that again. My show is archived though I am not sure how far it goes back. Sometimes there are technical issues so it isn't perfect.

Last night there was a magnificent protest. How many local radio shows would muster almost 60 people on a freezing cold night to protest about its axing?

The difference between my show and Lester and Mick is that they started off with "Personent Hodie" and I started off with "I Want a Hippotamus for Christmas".

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: Folkiedave
Date: 21 Dec 10 - 01:41 AM

My radio show is archived - not sure how far it goes ba

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: mikesamwild
Date: 20 Dec 10 - 08:54 AM

Dave H in France Merry Christmas!

Dave Eyres programme can still be downloaded.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,AndyC
Date: 20 Dec 10 - 08:35 AM

The comment from BBC Audience Services that the change in programming will allow coverage of breaking news and events such as snow is complete rubbish - most evenings the 9pm bulletin is identical to the 7pm one - there hasn't been any breaking news, and any station can opt out of folkwaves if there is a major local crisis (radio derby did this a few years ago to cover flooding) just as they opt out to cover local football. I hope that whoever got that response from the BBC will reply back to them and tell them that they are basically lying to try to justify their decision.

A more formal complaint could be made to senior BBC management on the basis that it is only English stations that are gradually losing their specialist music programmes - as far as I know there is no threat to folk music etc on Radios Scotland, Wales or Ulster.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: SylviaN
Date: 20 Dec 10 - 08:29 AM

By the way, "Guest", you are right to a certain extent about us being "nieve" - it is the Spanish for snow, which we will probably be getting, but not until Wednesday evening.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: SylviaN
Date: 20 Dec 10 - 08:26 AM

See you all later this evening (06.56 for 19.00).

By the way "Guest", you are wrong on all counts.

Remember, if the good do nothing (and I'm talking peaceful protest here, don't want to get misunderstood), then we get walked all over.

Also, Mick and Lester do want to continue with the programme - I know this for a fact, as I know them both personally! They cannot head this campaign and they are absolutely thrilled about the support they are getting.

Sylvia

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: Acorn4
Date: 20 Dec 10 - 08:07 AM

... I realise this has already been mentioned but just a reminder.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: Acorn4
Date: 20 Dec 10 - 08:05 AM

Hermitage Radio operates from NW Leicestershire and operates a 2 hour folk slot on Thursday nights.

http://www.hermitagefm.com/#/schedule/4544220344

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 20 Dec 10 - 07:34 AM

I know Charlie is a nice bloke.

William Wright is a nice bloke as well.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,S.G.
Date: 20 Dec 10 - 07:31 AM

OOps - should have checked the Lincolnshire schedules more carefully as they do seem a little more varied than the other East Midlands stations, with a "BBC Introducing" programme on Fridays with Tom Morris presenting "some of the best music in Lincolnshire", so theres just a (vain) hope for some local output in that area with hopefully local musicians making a contribution. Hardly any consolation for the rest of us with the disappearance of "Folkwaves", but a glimmer of hope in Lincolnshire. I told you Charlie Partridge was a good bloke!

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,S.G.
Date: 20 Dec 10 - 07:20 AM

It seems that the 7 till 10 slot on Radio Lincolnshire will be hosted by William Wright (though Radio Nottingham's Paul Robey sits in for the first programme on 3rd January) instead of Nottingham's Richard Spurr. They still get Amanda Bowman from 10, however. I feel sorry for Charlie Partridge if he's been backed into a corner over all of this because he really is a nice bloke. What a shame to be handed all of this retrograde "planning" - we might as well all listen to Radio Two - or is that the idea in the long run when the BBC start shutting local radio stations altogether. I have a feeling that in a few years time there will be around 10 regional stations with very limited (if any) local output. How's that for the licence payers! (being treated with the usual contempt of course) It's certainly a smack in the gob for all those of us who carried the torch of Community radio run by the BBC all those years ago.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 20 Dec 10 - 07:04 AM

Try phoning them like I did, but they won't put you on, if they know you want to talk about Folkwaves. So you will need to be smarter than I was to get on. However if we bombarded the number, all their boring phone in people won't be able to get on.
Let's do a mass phoning whilst the first rogram is on.
What you must also realise is that Amanda Bouman has been bull ******** about standing in for Rob Underwood, when she knew full well that Rob had been taken off/axed from his program.
Radio Lincolnshire is now merged or working with Radio Humberside as I understand it. So I will be interested to know what Charlie Partridge is going to put in place of Folkwaves. Whatever it is, I will not be listening.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 20 Dec 10 - 06:45 AM

My understanding is that tonight has already been recorded and the last one on the 27th is live.

However, the press are there tonight!

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,S.G.
Date: 20 Dec 10 - 06:44 AM

Anybody checked the local East Midlands' stations schedules for the week beginning 3rd. January? It seems that between 7 o'clock and 9 each evening there will be "great early evening entertainment" presented by Richard Spurr followed by Amanda Bowman with much of the same between 9 and 1.(Except on Fridays when Dean Jackson takes over that slot). These are all BBC Radio Nottingham presenters with the usual, bland "Radio Two" style - and guess what? we are all invited to join in the conversations by phoning in on 0370 143 1333. So lets all do that eh?
Interesting to see that the centre for all of this wonderful new programming is Radio Nottingham - where was it that Stuart Thomas is based? So there we are; lots more of the same and an end to any specialist musio output; so much for clause 5.3!

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: Gillie
Date: 20 Dec 10 - 06:03 AM

Cetainly tonight's has been recorded. Announced on the show, don't know about next weeks. Regards Gillie

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: DG&D Dave
Date: 20 Dec 10 - 05:53 AM

I shall be there tonight.
Is it a live broadcast? I recall that one of the last two would be pre-recorded.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 20 Dec 10 - 01:12 AM

Reminder of the demo at Radio Derby, tonight 1900 ish (wrap up warm!)
The Facebook thread is now over 1300 people strong. Well worth looking at, lots of interesting viewpoints (not just rants either) and 2 interviews that Dave Eyre (Folkiedave here) did with me and Mick Peat last week on his Radio show.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 19 Dec 10 - 09:10 AM

Hopefully this Friday's edition of Nottingham Post's specialist music columns dealing with Folk and Jazz will present a united front regarding the "Folkwaves" and "Jazz Incorporated" situation.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,Chris Murray
Date: 18 Dec 10 - 11:27 AM

Mick and Lester do read Mudcat. Thye've given me a lot of pleasure over the past few years and I shall miss them very much.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: Dave Higham
Date: 18 Dec 10 - 10:12 AM

I haven't had the time this week to "listen again" to Folkwaves until today. What a blow. Until I got broadband 4 or 5 years ago I'd been totally out of touch with the UK folk scene since I moved to France in 1987. Folkwaves put me back in touch and I've listened almost every week since. Now it's being taken from me. Sickening. Yes, there are a few other local radio folk shows, but they are only very pale imitations (and one or two are dire). First Archie Fisher... now this.

It's true that Mick and Lester did sound very upbeat on Monday night, but I think they probably decided that that was the only way to go out, (it was their last live show) and not to let the bastards grind them down.

If you happen to read this, Mick and Lester, I'd just like to thank you for the pleasure your show has given me in the few years I've been able to listen.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 18 Dec 10 - 09:27 AM

It maybe me but I had the distict feeling from Mick & Lesters atitued that they may not want to continue with folkwaves. such a difference from James Mcefree on radio Leicester Wdnesday night of complete devastation of the demise of his show, Mick and Lester seemed very upbeat that it was fiishing. Just my observation !!!!!

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,Sorry - last guest was me!
Date: 18 Dec 10 - 08:29 AM

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Dec 10 - 08:29 AM

And I believe that is a 200 which I claim!

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,Dave Eyre
Date: 18 Dec 10 - 08:28 AM

I am going down Monday evening. Happy to do so.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: *#1 PEASANT*
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 01:23 PM

It may not make a difference but it will build community! And the presenters will appreciate it I am sure. Bring along a few drinks and have one or several in my name for them!

Conrad

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,S.G.
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 06:47 AM

I doubt that we are stupid and naieve: there may be no chance of changing any minds at the BBC at present, but it plays right into their hands if we go quietly. It weould seem to me to be an act of cowardice to prove the BBC's point for them. I repeat what I said earlier; doing nothing is not an option.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 05:07 AM

Please come along on to the BBC Radio Derby offices on Monday evening 20th December 2010 at 19:00 hrs and join the 'Save Folkwaves' facebook campaign

Why?

You are totally stupid and nieve if you think it will make any kind of difference.

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,OLDNICKILBY
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 05:03 AM

"Licence fee payers" I thought that radio needed no licence

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 03:25 AM

Good luck Ralphie.

Subject: Save Folkwaves on BBC Radio East Midlands Protest
From: MikkinNotts
Date: 16 Dec 10 - 07:57 PM

Please come along on to the BBC Radio Derby offices on Monday evening 20th December 2010 at 19:00 hrs and join the 'Save Folkwaves' facebook campaign members who will be gathering outside the studios to listen to the penuiltimate Folkwaves radio programme broadcast between 1900 hrs - 2100 hrs.
Bring a radio, bring an instrument, bring your voice!....more on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=169352206434131

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 16 Dec 10 - 05:32 PM

I was wondering when Lizzie would re-surface!
And as much as I applaud her for her enthusiasm with regards to all things musical. There are times when a more soft approach might achieve more than mindless ranting.
I feel honoured that Dave has asked me to shove my 2 Ha'pporth on his programme in the morning.
I hope I will give an informed and considered opinion re the BBC decision about, not only Folkwaves, but all minority musics on Local Radio throughout the country. All soon to be axed.
So, with respect Lizzie. Ranting will definitely not help.
I'm not for one minute saying thet I can change the situation either.
But, at least I will put my point with calm and considered thought.
I just wish I could talk to a BBC representative..Sadly, there is no-one available. Quelle Surprise!

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: Surreysinger
Date: 16 Dec 10 - 05:24 PM

Dave - well done. I shall listen to that with interest. It will be good to hear what Mick in particular has to say from the hot seat. In the meantime, I'm going to set about drafting a reply to the BBC Complaints personnel's standard response (as above) to my complaint of several days ago, and a reasoned missive to the head powers that be.

Incidentally, I was a bit perturbed to see in yesterday's paper that considerations are being given to ceasing to broadcast on BBC tv channels 3 and 4 ... which of course would mean the removal of the vast majority of any good folk music programming that we've been receiving lately. (Mind you, as this was in one of the tabloids I reserve total trust in the reported fact until something a bit more authoratative appears.)

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 16 Dec 10 - 04:54 PM

Ya know, guys, if only you lot had come over to the BBC board when I had the 'live' Folkwaves threads going...

Do some of you remember the days when one thread reached over 500 posts and Mel closed it down, saying the BBC computer couldn't cope with such vast threads? (complete poppycock of course, as other threads reached similar numbers..)

And we even managed to get a 'listen again' button put on Folkwaves, due to the popularity shown on the F&A board....

Then, it all went bellyup and the usual gang, some of whom are now on here whingeing and whining their hearts out, set their sights on getting me banned from the BBC...

Well, they succeeded, and with that they also lost one of the main advocates for Folkwaves and for English Folk Music in general.

I've never understood this small world that continually aims to shoot itself in the foot, succeeding every single time...

WHY didn't you ALL join in those threads????

WHERE were you when I called for support, for Folkwaves and Genevieve Tudor's show as well....and Radio Britfolk, as was?????


Maybe, just maybe, if you'd all acted differently Folkwaves would now be protected, because it would have been recognised as having so many devout followers, lighting up the BBC F&A board.....but nope, you all chose to mess things up...

And now....you moan??????


Well, I'm really sorry that Folkwaves is going, REALLY sorry, but you guys have to understand that folk music can no longer be reserved only for those within The Inner Sanctum, jumping on those from outside who dare to raise their voices in sheer joy at the music!

This music MUST be allowed out to as big an audience as you can get, or else, just like Folkwaves, it will die....

It's why I used to shout SO bloody loudly...but sadly, I got drowned out by bitterness and jealousy...

And now, the best folk programme on the BBC is about to be axed....

What a sorry state for English folk music to have reached...

Subject: RE: The end of 'Folkwaves' on BBC
From: Folkiedave
Date: 16 Dec 10 - 04:45 PM

Tmorrow the inestimable Mr Ralph Jordan of this parish and 35 years at the BBC and the equally inestimable Mr Peat of the programme "Folkwaves" on BBC Radio Derby will be submitting themselves to the intense interrogation skills of me.

"Thank Goodness It's Folk" 10.00 am - 12 noon. 93.2 FM and www.sheffieldlive.org

Ralph and Mick will appear separately 'cos we only have one phone line into the studio. It is after all community radio.