The stand out performances of the night for me were Cara Dillon and Martin Simpson, both of whom have an indefinable sparkle that shines through their music. Whilst presenting an award, Richard Hawley recounted a story of him sitting in Norma Watersons lounge whilst she sang to him during the making of a documentary, she reduced the awestruck Hawley to a 'puddle of piss', meaning tears rather than incontinence (I hope). Despite the laughter he had put his finger on what all this was about in its celebration of tradition and regeneration.

What can you say about the winners? A worthy double for Show Of Hands allowed them to graciously thank Miranda Sykes for her contribution to their success over the last five years by getting her up to accept the award. The Magpies Nest deserved the best club award for sheer energy and innovation, Sam and joe have redefined what folk clubs can do and how they can be perceived. The Horizon award for Sam Carter acknowledged his unique talent whilst Jon Boden as Folk Singer of the year seemed a no-brainer for someone who gives so much fresh energy back to the genre.

The awards and performances:
Bob Shennan, Controller, BBC Radio 2 says: 'Radio 2 is committed to a rich and diverse range of music and the Radio 2 Folk Awards are a fantastic way to showcase such a well loved and thriving musical genre.'

Folk Singer of the Year went to Jon Boden, who accepted the award from actress Zoe Wanamaker. Jon also presented The Magpie’s Nest in London with Folk Club Of The Year.

Squeezebox player John Kirkpatrick was named Musician Of The Year. Eddie Upton, Director of Folk South West, accepted the award from actor Greg Wise on Kirkpatrick’s behalf.

Eliza Carthy presented Lau with Best Group, an award they have won for the third consecutive year. And singer/songwriter Benny Gallagher presented Cara Dillon with Album Of The Year for the critically acclaimed Hill of Thieves.

Arrogance Ignorance And Greed, written by Steve Knightley and performed by Show Of Hands, was named Best Original Song. This award was presented by poet Ian McMillan. Show of Hands, winners of Best Live Act in 2004, were named Best Duo by musician and BBC 6 Music presenter Tom Robinson, and also performed on the night.

Best Live Act was presented to Bellowhead by actor Kevin Whately. And Nitin Sawhney presented guitarist Sam Carter with the Horizon Award for folk’s best emerging artist.

Martin Simpson was presented with Best Traditional Track for Sir Patrick Spens by fellow musician Richard Hawley. Simpson also performed as did Lau, The Bad Shepherds and Cara Dillon.

The Good Tradition Award, presented by Dan Tyminski, went to Mike Alexander and Douglas Eadie, producers of the legendary BBC TV Transatlantic Sessions, who were joined on stage to accept their Award by Aly Bain and Jerry Douglas.

The Transatlantic Sessions closed the evening with two songs, Man Of Constant Sorrow (from the hit film O Brother Where Art Thou?) with Dan Tyminski on lead vocals, and Spencer The Rover with Cara Dillon on lead vocals. The full band line up consisted of Jerry Douglas, Aly Bain, Dan Tyminski, Tim O'Brien, Cara Dillon, Russ Barenburg, Mike McGoldrick, Donald Shaw, John McCusker and Andy Seward.

Grammy Award Winning Nanci Griffith accepted a Lifetime Achievement Award from Radio 2's Bob Harris, before performing The Loving Kind, the title song from her latest album. Neil Finn, of Split Enz and Crowded House fame, presented Dick Gaughan with the evening’s second Lifetime Achievement Award before Gaughan was joined on stage by Jerry Douglas and Tim O'Brien to perform Both Sides The Tweed.

The ensuing days will see many people get hung up on who won and who didn't, the internet will groan under the weight of chatter and pointless blather, it riles me that this so often overshadows what is hugely significant event, what other broadcaster on Earth would fund and promote a function such as this?

Highlights will be broadcast on Radio 2 on Wednesday 3rd February at 7pm, and available to listen to on the iPlayer for 7 days afterwards.

Live performances and other highlights from the night will be available to watch at bbc.co.uk/radio2 from 7pm on Wednesday 3rd February (video is only available to users in the UK)