Winger,
I agree with your reaction to Brune's stunt; it was mine when I first heard of it. It was when it was put into context for me (by Parker) that I realised the consequences of it.
The production team had decided to devote a section of 'The Travelling People' to Travellers as songmakers making songs about their lives. There wasn't much available to them at the time so they put out an appeal. Brune sent in his tape, the team selected one and gave it to Sheila to learn. It was edited in as a 'genuine Travellers song'. Brune said nothing about it until the final editing had been completed. Had it been left in, it would have been jumped on as phony and would, I believe, have been a major flaw inn extremely important programme; so it was withdrawn and Sheila didn't appear.
I know from personal experience that Travellers were having a rough time in the sixties; Harry Watton, the man who proposed that they should be exterminated, had plenty of supporters.
The Radio Ballad introduced me, and thousands of others to the situation and we got involved. As amusing as the stunt might have been, I'm glad it was found out in time - po-faced if you like.
Incidentally, the attitude to Travellers here in Ireland at the present time has now reached ethnic cleansing proportions - pity MacColl and Parker aren't around any more to do another one!.
Jim Carroll
PS John: WMD = WLD = Wee Little Drummer (not so amusing when you have to explain it) - hope he didn't mind.