His style is based on the tradition but much of his repertoire includes contemporary songs which are written in the traditional idiom. Derek has set a number of Bury poet Keith Scowcroft's poems to music including 'When All Men Sing' which is fast becoming a folk song 'standard' across the world.

Whether accompanying himself on guitar or bowed psaltery or singing unaccompanied Derek's enthusiasm becomes contagious. Relaxed and confident, with sea songs, shanties and other chorus songs a speciality, Derek's festival and club performances are a real treat to encounter.

Derek's cassette 'A Mixed Case' features a set of sea songs and shanties that 'lift it well above run-of-the mill' (Folk Roots) and this has been further developed in the 'Mainly Maritime' cassette which is a mixture of old and new songs concerning all things maritime.

The long ago sold out cassette 'When All Men Sing' has now been re-released on CD and contains the many requested new Scowcroft/Gifford songs as well as the original ones.

Derek is able to offer the following talks to groups:

'Natural History in Folk Song' (a talk with songs and wildlife sound recordings)
'Birds in Folk Song' (an extended talk on the first section of 'Natural History in Folk Song')
'Songs of the Sea' (sea songs from around the world and their background)
'First Settlement' (an illustrated talk (with slides) on the landing place of Captain Cook (Botany Bay) and 'The Rocks', Sydney as it is today)
'The Bowed Psaltery' (Its history, songs and playing styles)