Should have known Mr Carroll would bring Bob D into this, it really is very predictable, isn't it?   Is this part of the evidence for the silencing of all who (like me and Bob) do not subscribe to his canonisation campaign for the Blessed MacColl?

Anyway, it wasn't me who brought it up this time guv...but maybe I'll now expand on exactly what happened that night in 1964.

I was there when Bob uttered the offending words and I think he was dead right (language excepted). The 'singer' was taking advantage of the good nature of the audience at Derek Sarjeant's club in Surbiton to talk down to the people as a bad teacher might to ten-year olds.

He didn't just explain the song's background- I often do that myself, this man told the whole story, verse by verse, rendering the singing of the song pointless!
The audience were restive, but too polite to react, and apart from the f.. word I think Bob was principled, brave and may have made a few folk think & wish THEY had said something!
I wasn't at the Musical Traditions club in London when the other alleged incident occurred, but I DO know that the MT club which continues to thrive, would very likely not exist without Bob Davenport- ask the organisers!
Where is your 'Singers' club' now, Jim?

As for Kathy Hobkirk, Brian, she goes to other places than Whitby- I'm an irregular visitor there, by the way but you must appreciate that my assertions were of their nature, generalisations. Kathy is a fine singer I've known for many years (20 plus?) but she is certainly one of the few exceptions which prove the rule- please no more blue clickys...

Finally, to Jim C, I love what is called folk/traditional/ethnic music (as I define it) & have no wish to damage the 'tradition' as I understand it. I have great respect for 'travellers'- or 'tinkers' as Sheila Stewart used to prefer being called. I'm also extremely grateful for their contribution to the 'tradition'.

The music may have needed protection in the fifties, but such is the huge body of material available to people in the internet age, worrying about whether a song is folk or traditional still seems daft to me, and 61 year old definitions seem even dafter.
I know what it is, as I expect do all readers of this discussion, so let's just get on with the music, wherever it comes from!