The Travelling People

First broadcast in 1964, the 50th anniversary of this ballad was celebrated at the 2014 Charles Parker Day.  Perhaps more importantly, the travelling people themselves took part in a celebration  in New Cross the same year, on the actual anniversary date.  It was led by Mark Brown (HedgeMustard), fronted by him, and all the live participants apart from him were from Traveller families.  An account including a short film is now available: Send Down Roots or Carry Them With You.

Even more exciting, Rural Media were awarded a Heritage Lottery grant to respond to this Radio Ballad, through the production of a film documentary which reflects on the issues facing the Travelling Community then and now.  Presented by Damian le Bas, Searching for the Travelling People was launched at the Courtyard, Hereford in February 2018, and features the new song Flashing Lanes.

Rambling Candyman is a documentary celebrating the work of Jim Carroll and Pat Mackenzie who collected songs and stories from Irish Travellers living in England from 1973.  Broadcast on Newstalk 106-108fm on Sat 29 and Sun 30 July 2017 and then as a podcast.