Read what others have said

Eleanor Tweedie, Nottingham
This programme does more to explain the experience of travellers at that time than anything else I can imagine. It saddens me to think how little the treatment of Travellers has changed since these recordings were made, and that what changes there are have been for the worse. I remember hearing this on the radio some time in the late 60s, and it made a great impression, as did Singing the Fishing. Another was Close the Coalhouse Door,which was about mining. I think it was made by a different company, but had a similar format with songs etc. I agree with the other posters on this site, please broadcast the original ballads in full. They really do deserve a wider audience.

Leon Greenwell - Claregate, Wolverhampton
I thought the programme was marvellous - I'm still hoping to find a 9-Spined Stickleback, myself; my mate built a caravan out of bits of twigs, but the Old Bill dragged him off the Oxford by-pass

John Moe, Indiana USA
I love the music, but I'd appreciate having it so arranged that I can hear the songs without the commentary when desired. I like to save them but it is difficult when the music is in the midst of the commentary. Thaks so much for all of it!

Nico Pollen London
the 'Travelling People' radio ballad was brilliant - can I hear the whole programme some time. I've not had very much contact with travelling People of any kind, but we used to get t'traditional' gypsies around from time to time when I was a child, and I was brought up to see people who were differen in appearance or way of life as a good thing. I was shy to get to know these strange grownups, so I didn't get to know them, but to this day I cannot understand the hysterical hatred they seem to provoke in 'settled' people. I have worked with homeless people in my time, and, of course, some are difficult anfd unpleasant, especially when they're using drink or drugs, but it seems downright stupid to hate them, as many people do

davemac
Never mind the new Radio Ballads, although if they are half as good as the first they will be damn good, lets have the old ones repeated in full. Having listened again to the extracts it brings home to me just how much young people are unaware of the background of the fishers, miners, travelling people and the like. They only know them through the sound bites of the politicians and the media. They are unaware of the real people, the substance, the flesh, behind the facade that is presented to them today.