Singing with the BBC

SIR – I was interested to read your feature about a return of the BBC’S Singing Together programme (Features, April 27), but saddened that William Appleby was not mentioned.

He was the very essence of the programme from 1948 until his untimely death in 1973, his charismatic and regional voice delivering the “Hello, schools” introduction.

As a member of staff of the Oxford University Press, I was privileged to work with him when he was music adviser to Doncaster schools. In 1967 OUP published his song book, Sing Together! 100 Songs for Unison Singing (with Frederick Fowler), which sold thousands of copies and is in use to this day. Kenneth Pont

Paddock Wood, Kent