I AM an independent radio programme maker, researching for BBC Radio 4 about the forgotten folksongs of Yorkshire. And I wonder if any of your readers can help.

Back in the 1950s and 60s, a teacher called Mary Robinson - the daughter of a Wharfedale farmer - started collecting samples of Yorkshire folk songs for the English Folk Dance and Song Society.

She was joined in this work by Nigel Hudleston of Rillington, near Malton, who went on to become her husband.

Together, they toured the towns, villages and isolated farmhouses of the region, from Sheffield up to Middlesbrough, from Ribblesdale across the Dales to Scarborough and Flamborough, recording people reciting or singing the songs that had been passed down through the generations.

Songs such as The Cliffs Of Old Whitby, The Goathland Hunt Song, The Fylingdales Fox Hunt, A Martyr Of The Yorkshire Moors, The Lady Of Robin Hood's Bay, and Old Matha Gummersal.

As well as recording their voices on to reel-to-reel tape, the Hudlestons photographed some of the contributors and took cine film of ancient Yorkshire customs such as the Haxey Hood. Their collection is now at the University of Sheffield.

Many of the contributors will no longer be alive, but I wonder if any of their family or friends remember the Hudlestons' visit, and have any memories they would like to share with BBC Radio 4 listeners?

If so, they can contact me at the address below, or on 0114 2630970. I should be delighted to hear from them.

Clare Jenkins,

17 Crimicar Lane,

Sheffield, S10 4FA.

Updated: 11:45 Saturday, May 31, 2003