Roy Palmer, one of England’s most active and popular folklorists and song collectors, died in February 2015. His books and articles have introduced many people to the tales and songs of their region and of the country as a whole, and he was an unselfish helper to many researchers and singers who sought to tap his store of knowledge. In 2016 an annual lecture was instituted in his name, to give a platform to speakers on an aspect of traditional song, music, folklore, or popular culture, enabling them to share their own knowledge in like fashion.

​

The lecture series was funded for ten years and the 2025 talk by Jon Boden will be the tenth and last. In the course of these events we have heard eminent speakers on a range of topics related to folk music, folk song and folklore. Recordings of some of these lectures can be viewed on YouTube, and links to them can be found with the summary of past events. Jon's talk will be focused on the future of folk music - and he can speak to this subject with authority since his efforts have played a key part in building that future.

​

We are grateful to the various organisations that have helped by hosting the lectures and for support at a local level. Particular thanks are due to the Traditional Song Forum, Doc Rowe, and to Whitby Folk Week.

​

Our thanks go to Jon and to all previous speakers for their valuable contributions to the series and who, in sharing them, have acted in a way that Roy Palmer himself would have approved of. 

​

We are proud that, by organising these events, we have played a small part in celebrating the memory of a much missed friend, colleague and mentor.

​

Martin and Shan Graebe