This three-part series explores British folk music. Folk Britannia traces the evolution of folk music from the end of World War II up to the scene's latter-day revival. 1: Ballads & Blues From the post-war, highly politicised folk clubs to the 1950s skiffle scene that captured the imagination of the nation's youth. In the early 20th century, a new breed of folk-song collectors, led by Cecil Sharp, worked to preserve and promote the traditional folk music that would bolster national pride during turbulent times. In post-war Britain, this tradition was assimilated into a revolutionary soundtrack by the left-wing artists Ewan MacColl and Bert Lloyd. MacColl founded Britain's first modern folk club - The Ballad and Blues Club - and his groundbreaking Radio Ballads, which championed the working-class hero, were broadcast to unanimous acclaim. 2: Folk Roots, New Routes In the 1960s the folk boom takes hold, and bands like Fairport Convention and Pentangle bring the music into unexpected new places. A new breed of virtuoso guitarist - such as Davy Graham and Bert Jansch - became the heroes of the movement as folk clubs, run by young people for young people, sprang up all over the country. In 1965, Britain produced its first folk pop star in the form of Donovan - who embraced bohemia and turned his back on society, "challenging hypocrisy and greed." Episode 3: Between The Wars Folk-rock enters the 1970s mainstream, a political edge returns to music in Thatcher's Britain and, today, two very different scenes see folk music flourishing once more. The final episode explores how, since folk music's popularity hit a low point in the late 1970s, it has continually reinvented itself to appeal to new audiences.Politicised folk enjoyed a renaissance during the miners' strike with punks like Billy Bragg singing about the power of unions. Artists from the 'crusty' traveller scene which followed were also re-engaged in social and political protest.

Complete Running Time: 2 Hours 59 Minutes