When I was a boy (40-ish years ago), at school on a Monday morning (11:00 am) we'd listen to a BBC "Home Service" schools programme called "Singing Together", hosted by William Appleby. Many of the songs we sang together (from a little white pamphlet renewed every term) were folk-songs - eg "The Keeper" (Jacky-boy, master, sing-ye well, very well...), "High Germany", - and some folk-ish songs like "Banks & Braes". There was also some crap, like "My love's an Arbutus", but the folk-songs were by far the best. Does anyone else remember William Appleby & Singing Together?

When, later, we listened to Bob Dylan, PP&M, etc and began attending folk clubs, the English songs stood out for me, and I've never looked back. Been through all the phases (Fairport, Steeleye, etc) but remained true to English songs, these days enjoyed in smoky pubs with large quantities of warm beer. Still sing (badly) High Germany & The Keeper (and many more); still listen to early Dylan (specially that first album) and Fairport, Steeleye. Still fondly remember W Appleby & Singing Together.