I was never a fan of Peter Bellamy's singing...but there is no reason why I should be...there were and are plenty of other singers to admire. I also know that many of my friends felt differently......one man's taste seldom covers all.
In the case of On Board the 98... I always thought it a little arrogant that he needed to write his own tune (or as is suggested use Adieu Sweet Lovely Nancy - which I too don't hear) - when there was a perfectly singable and good tune collected with the text by Vaughan Williams.
In some ways I think that helps explain why he was like he was and shows an insecurity that finally showed itself with he tragic death.
I did meet him once socially and he stayed with me and my wife after a local gig and conversion during that stay was never easy.......and I remember my wife saying that when she walked him to the Station the following morning, he was almost too scared to cross the road.
I do however admire that he Rowed his Own Boat, in his own way...

Tim Radford