Re the shepherd's regalia: I remember hearing (from either Bob Copper, who collected songs for the BBC in the 1950s, or Bob Lewis, I can't remember)that when the Sussex farmers turned up to a BBC recording to give their songs, they thought it right and proper to wear their smocks, which was what they wore for church, harvest suppers and smart occasions. Some of the BBC staff thought it was a wind-up and that the men were taking the piss, but they were just trying to dress up in their "Sunday best".

Bob Lewis may well have considered it quite appropriate in the 1970s to do likewise. I don't know much about the traditions in Sussex at that time, but I believe that smocks continued to be worn on festive and traditional occasions there long after they'd become a bit of a joke in other areas.

Marje