The Copper Family of Rottingdean, near Brighton, Sussex, England are almost single-handedly responsible for keeping alive the unaccompanied singing of traditional local songs that have been passed from generation to generation. In 1898 the Copper Family came to the attention of Kate Lee who was to become a founder of the English Folk Dance and Song Society. James “Brasser” Copper 1845 - 1924 and his brother Thomas were made honorary founder members of the society, and few years before his death Brasser was prevailed upon to write down the songs that he knew. Brasser’s son James “Jim” 1882 - 1954 kept the tradition alive during the years between the world wars and beyond, at a time when the old order was changing, and in 1952 the Copper Family were again discovered. this time by the BBC, and Jim, his brother John and sons Walter “Ron” and Robert “Bob” were to sing together at the Royal Albert Hall and come to wide public attention. Robert “Bob” Copper 1915 - 2004 wrote several books about the family and its songs, commencing with the widely acclaimed “A Song For Every Season” 1971. Various recordings have been made since the 1950s and some are still available, The present generations of the family (Jill, John, Sean, Andy, Mark, Ben Tom and Lucy) continue to sing unaccompanied traditional songs