On the subject of source singers....
Earlier in this thread, somebody mentioned all the Trailer/Leader recordings locked away and inaccessible. The same is true of field recordings in the BBC Sound Archive. They are available for listening only at the British Library, at Cecil Sharp House and some at Birmingham City Library (Charles Parker Archive). The only way of obtaining copies is from the British Library who will make copies for you, provided you have written authority from the BBC. Now, this 'written authority' takes the form of a 'licence' which, for the dozen or so items that I am interested in, would cost between £1500-3000. A little prohibitive.

The song recordings I am interested in were made in the 1950s by Seamus Ennis (and in one case by Peter Kennedy). I understand that the singers were asked to 'sign away' any rights in the recordings at the time. Peter Kennedy (Folktrax) published three on CD and a few more on vinyl earlier. None, of course, are still available.

The BBC recordings in question are:

Amos Beckett (recorded 1952 - Winslow, Bucks) singing – The Broken Token; The Robber [aka The Gallows Tree – perhaps Maid Freed From The Gallows?]; Three Poachers; Watercress Girl; Wild Rover.
Ted Lambourne (recorded 1952 – North Marston, Bucks) singing - Blackberry Grove; Herring Song; Old Johnny Bigger; Won't You Buy A Broom?
Ted Keen (recorded 1952 – North Marston, Bucks) singing Maid Freed From The Gallows.
Mrs C A Perry (recorded 1954 – Loughton, nr Bletchley, Bucks) singing May-Day Carol. (There is also a recording of her describing May-Day local customs.)
Mary (May) Bennell (recorded 1954 – Amersham, Bucks) singing - Barbara Allen; Farmyard Song (aka The Little Cock or Farmer's Boy); May-Day Carol. (The Charles Parker Collection also lists a recording of The Hungry Fox.)


For many years I have been a resident of north Buckinghamshire, noted, I fear, for its dearth of traditional song. (Indeed, all the famous collectors seem to have bypassed it completely.)    Most of these recordings were made within 4 miles of me, the rest within 20 miles. There are Becketts, Keens and Lambournes in my locality and some of these may well be relations of the performers (all now long dead). They may well be able to provide me with information on these people which I could put together in some form of presentation for local people/voluntary organisations, as a glimpse of the 'living traditions' that survived in the local area not so very long ago. The Buckinghamshire County Archive is very interested in having such information, though do not have 'the budget' to obtain the recordings.

If anybody can help in any way, please contact me out of the glare of public gaze at kevin@sexton10.freeserve.co.uk.