As a Romany woman of mature years, I now wish that, when we were young, my sisters and I hadn't discouraged our father from singing the old songs. We are from the Hughes family and he sang the same songs and in the same fashion as Queen Caroline Hughes, to whom we are related. Now, of course, I wish I had listened and learned. If somebody had only 'collected' from him round the bender tents, I would be able to listen to him again and would be grateful for the opportunity.

Now, I don't know any Romanies who would have allowed themselves to be recorded if they didn't want to – and I know families in the south of England who are still being recorded and are more than happy to share with the wider community. The songs are, after all, not all specifically Romany. Most were picked up along the way in pubs, in the fields and at village events. The singing style may differ and tunes may have changed but the songs belong to us all.

Yes, some Romanies today may no longer wish to be called Travellers, but our forefathers used 'Traveller' as a self-ascription from at least the early 1800s. My extended family and friends occasionally still do and also sometimes refer to ourselves as Gypsies. My only request is that Romany, Traveller and Gypsy start with capital letters as Scottish and Irish Travellers, and Romanies/Gypsies are all recognised ethnic minorities.

As to the criticism of Tradsinger, to my mind criticism is acceptable but it should be constructive, not delivered in a way that can cause hurt.

Jenti