User:Robingrey/Roy Palmer

Roy Palmer (1932 - 26 February 2015) was a teacher, folklorist, author and historian. In 2004 he was awarded the Gold Badge, the English Folk Dance and Song Society's highest honour.

Life
Born in 1932, Roy Palmer was educated at the Grammar School, Coalville and at Manchester University. He taught for many years in grammar and comprehensive schools around the Midlands and was Headmaster of the Dame Elizabeth Cadbury School in Birmingham for eleven years.

He took early retirement, making time to explore his deep passion in all aspects of folk culture - its lore, dialect, crafts, arts, plays and above all, its songs and music. From 1970 to 2007 he produced a steady stream of books, articles and reviews, exploring social history through the medium of folk song and street ballad.

In 2004 he received an honorary M.A. from the Open University and was awarded a gold badge, the highest honour bestowed by the English Folk Dance and Song Society.

He was a longstanding member of The Folklore Society, chairman of the 'Friends of the Dymock Poets' for seven years and on the editorial board of Folk Music Journal for 20 years.

He is survived by his wife and artistic collaborator, Pat, three sons and seven grand children.