Cecil Sharp was born in London on St Cecilia’s He published his first collection, A Book of British Between 1904 and 1909 he published the five During the First World War, he collected songs in Mrs. Sage, Chew Magna Robert Parish, Exford SOMERSET Day, 22 November 1859. Educated at Uppingham Song for Home and School in 1902. volumes of Folk Songs from Somerset and his the Appalachian Mountains of the USA, helping to Frank Sampson, Pensford Albert Pool, Exford Cecil Sharp in Somerset IS YOUR Theodore Taylor, W.S. Poole, Chipstable School and Clare College Cambridge, he went to Cecil had not yet done any folk song collecting of theoretical book English Folk Song: Some develop the folk music movement there, and his Shepton Mallet Robert Pope, Minehead Cecil Sharp travelled mostly by bicycle on his words in notebooks, a process which took a seek his fortune in Australia. his own, but in 1903 Charles wrote to tell him Conclusions, which revolutionised knowledge of work made him the leading international authority. ANCESTOR HERE? Henry Tidball, Wedmore James Proll, Monksilver He made music his profession while living in that his gardener, John England, knew some folk folk songs in England. He continued to collect, organise and publish until William Tucker, Ashcott John Stark, Wiveliscombe collecting journeys criss-crossing the county little time, but which enabled him to get to Mrs. Walters, Bridgwater John Thorne, Minehead FOLK Adelaide, and met a young clergyman named songs. Cecil went down to Hambridge and Cecil made 21 collecting trips to Somerset less than a month before his death from cancer on Can you spot your family name amongst Cecil Sharp's on his quest for its hidden folk songs. In the know his singers. One of the most remarkable singers? How can you find out if you are related to them or John Wedlock, Chew Magna Richard Thorne, Withypool Charles Marson. collected ‘The Seeds of Love’ on 22 August 1903. between 1903 and 1909. 22 June 1924. William Tucker, Skilgate not? A good way to start is with the Somerset & Dorset 1908 MAP early 1900s, portable recording equipment legacies of his collecting journeys is a unique Mr. Voolacott, Dulverton Family History Society. They have an excellent website full of Mr. Bailey, Bleadon Cecil returned to England in 1892 and married his Cecil had two music teaching jobs and so the only After that he did most of his work in other In 1911 Cecil founded the English Folk Dance Robert Willliams, was just becoming available but was very collection of photographs of the singers, tips, links and news, and they publish a regular magazine for Gladys Brown, East Harptree childhood sweetheart Constance Birch in 1893, leisure time he had for collecting was the school counties, collecting morris and country dances as Society (EFDS). Timberscombe Mrs. Duddridge, Mark cumbersome. It was also most uncomfortable dancers and musicians he encountered. These the same year Charles Marson became vicar of holidays. well as songs. members. Visit www.sdfhs.org for more information. To find In 1932 the Folk Song Society merged with the out about their songs and music, visit www.efdss.org Sam Evry, Bleadon 1907 for the singers who were required to bury their are now held in the Vaughan Williams Hambridge, Somerset. For more than five years Cecil spent nearly every He made a further five collecting visits to Somerset EFDS to form the present English Folk Dance and Thomas Green, Wells Betsy Holland, Simonsbath Somerset Mrs. Jarrett, Bridgwater Richard Mailby, Exford heads into what looked like a large bucket for Memorial Library at Cecil Sharp House, Cecil became interested in folk music through day of his spare time in Somerset travelling between 1913 and 1916. Song Society (EFDSS). Its headquarters in north Hambridge Bridgwater and Harptree Mrs. Jarvis, Bridgwater 1908 the sounds to be recorded. Cecil Sharp headquarters of the English Folk Dance and teaching and the problem of finding songs which hundreds of miles by train and bicycle, meeting London is Cecil Sharp House. 1903 1904 William Patch, Winford Alice Davy, Dunster young boys liked to sing. more than 300 singers and collecting more than Mary Bunston, Hambridge Miss Doveton Brown, Tom Pearce, Winford preferred to notate song tunes and record the Song Society. Elizabeth Edbrook, has a John England, Hambridge Clevedon Mrs. Pople, Brent Knoll 2,000 tunes. Withycombe Job Gillard, Hambridge George Currel, West Harptree Charles Porter, Bleadon Harriet Goodland, Hambridge John Durbin, East Harptree May Saunders, East Harptree 1909 secret... Revd. Hamlet, Barrington Mr. Hole, Clevedon George Say, Axbridge William Kingdon, Simonsbath Louisa Hooper, Hambridge Benjamin Horler, Elizabeth Seeley, 1914 1903: HAMBRIDGE ‘Mayle’, Barrington East Harptree Bridgwater Ada Baker, Withypool ...an amazing story of Charles Parsons, Long Sutton F.B. Kettlewell, East Harptree Elsie Simmons, East Harptree Captain Hole, Watchet Miss Quick, Drayton William King, East Harptree Albert Stock, Temple Cloud John England Follow the Singers Trail Mr. Clatworthy, Blue Anchor 1 Tom Spracklan, Hambridge Elizabeth Price, William Stokes, Chew Stoke Somerset people who John Short, Watchet George Templeman, Compton Martin Mrs. Tilley, Clutton John England was born in 1865 at Hambridge. After Sarah Tarr, Dulverton Hambridge John Purnell, East Harptree William Walter, Wells sang. Their songs working as a farm labourer in Dorset he returned to the N AUGUST 1903, London music teacher Cecil Sharp visited his friend Reverend Charles Marson at Hambridge and heard John England, the vicarage gardener sing ‘The Seeds of Love’. Edwin Thomas, Dulverton Lucy White, Hambridge John Stevens, 1909 village, married, and became Charles Marson’s James Woodland, Stocklinch Compton Martin inspiring great musicians Thus began one of the most remarkable adventures in English music. In Somerset, over the next thirteen years or so, Sharp visited 122 locations, collected songs and tunes from 358 John Arnold, Frome The Quantocks John Voke, East Harptree gardener and general 1904 Lucy Dunston, Bridgwater George Wyatt, West Harptree 1904 who wrote works Mrs. Bond, Barrington James Grace, Frome outdoor servant. His song named individuals, and gathered children’s games from twenty schools. Perhaps one of these singers or children was your ancestor? Maybe Cecil collected in your town or village? Lydia Wyatt, West Harptree Jim Squires, Holford ‘The Seeds of Love’ was I John Coles, Hambridge Charles Norris, Meare performed worldwide. Joseph Cornelius, Shepton 1905 Francis Trusler, Wells 1906 the first that Cecil Sharp Singers photographed listed in date order as visited by Cecil Sharp Beauchamp James Bale, Bridgwater George Willcox, Shapwick William Bailey, Cannington Sarah Gummer, Hambridge Richard Barnard, Hugh Barrett, Cannington These maps locate the collected, on 22 August 1913 Alfred Harris, Priddy Louisa Barrett, Cannington yet flexible voice, and G.F.C. Peppin, Bridgwater singers and tell the story 1903. In 1912, he and 1904: LANGPORT 1905: HARPTREE & BRIDGWATER 1906: HAZELBURY PLUCKNETT 11 Betsy Holland Shepton Beauchamp James Bishop, Priddy Charlotte Binding, Stogursey his family emigrated to retained his singing Caroline Hill, John Briffett, Bridgwater 1914 John Bromham, Cannington of Cecil Sharp and Saskatchewan, Canada, Emma Overd Jack Barnard Susan Williams Betsy Holland was born at Kentisbeare, Devon, in ability into his nineties. It Huish on the Moor William Briffett, Bridgwater Henry Bailey, Bridgwater William Burland, Stogursey 4 6 8 Elizabeth Lock, Muchelney Thomas Brunt, Blagdon Charles Bonny, Bridgwater Elizabeth Coles, where his descendants 1880. Her family were travellers, but did not travel was only in the last few Charles Marson who Emma Overd was born in 1838 at Port Field, Curry ‘Jack Barnard’s’ real name was John Barnett, and he Susan Williams was born in 1832, and was among Anna Pond, Wilson Champ, East Harptree Dorothy Bonney, Nether Stowey still live. widely, circulating around mid and north Devon and months of his life that Shepton Beauchamp Robert Dibble, Bridgwater Bridgwater Grace Coles, Enmore Rivel, but spent most of her life in Langport ‘Westover’. was born in Bridgwater around 1861. His father several singers in Hazlebury Plucknett who made their western Somerset, though her grandmother had been illness confined him to Mrs. William Ree, Hambridge Thomas Griffiths, Bridgwater Irene Bonney, Bridgwater Jack Crewys, Halse collected songs over one John England singer of ‘The She was married to an agricultural labourer and James was also a singer, and they lived in the West living from weaving. She Ann Welch, Samuel Horler, Ubley William Hobbs, Bridgwater Edwin Davey, Cannington Seeds of Love’ at Hambridge more adventurous and came from Wisbech, his house. He shares supplemented the family Street/Halswell Lane area of the town, amid a number came from North Perrott, Shepton Beauchamp Jessie Jeffreys, Cheddar C.A. Johnson, Mrs. Davey, Cannington hundred years ago. You Cambridgeshire. It is not known when she married, but with Cecil Sharp the Lizzie Welch, Hambridge Harriet Moger, East Harptree Hinton Charterhouse Mrs. Graddon, Stogursey income through willow of other singers. They worked at brickmaking and later but had been living in by 1907 she was travelling with her husband and Alfred Willy, Hambridge Mrs. Pavey, Cheddar Mr. Stileman, Frances Gray, Enmore can also find out where to distinction of having an Theophilus Pritchard, Weston-Super-Mare Jim Gray, Enmore peeling or ‘withy-stripping’. as scavengers and stone-breakers, work probably given Hazlebury since the 1905 Harry Richards several small children. Cecil Sharp met her near obituary published in Compton Martin John Haste, Enmore 2 John Short, Watchet Mrs. Dabbenett, Barrington 1916 She was fond of a drink, them in return for poor relief. Cecil Sharp met them 1860s. Her husband died George Radford, Bridgwater William Huxtable, Taunton go to hear folk songs, see Simonsbath in August that The Times. Anne Dyke, Kingsbury Edmund Easton, Meare Harry Richards (1840- unusually preferring beer to through the agency of Revd. W.K. Warren, who was between 1881 and 1891 Mr. Rapsey, Bridgwater Elizabeth Loveless, Stolford year, and was so Episcopi Frederick Vowles, Meare Henry Reed, Axbridge Elizabeth Mogg, Holford folk traditions, watch folk 1925) spent all his life in cider, and she was outside curate of St. Mary’s church and the Workhouse and she later lived with her Ann Lacey, Drayton impressed that he called Charles Turner, Bridgwater James Thomas, Cannington George Lawrence, Kingsbury South Somerset Curry Rivel, living in Old a pub when Cecil Sharp chaplain. ‘Jack Barnard’ had no use of his legs, at a son Robert. She died in John Vincent, Priddy ‘Junior’ Thomas, dances and perhaps join her performance of the Episcopi Churchay and later near 13 Elizabeth Mogg Mr. Watts, Worle 1904 Cannington first met her. She asked time when disabled children did not usually attend March 1915. Mrs. Joseph Ree, Hambridge Execution Song ‘the finest George Weeks, Priddy Mr. Bollen, Ilchester John Thorne, Halse in. There’s lots of the Bell Hotel. He was a what he wanted, and on school, so he was illiterate, but he had a store of more Mabel Sandford, Drayton Susan Williams, Hazelbury and most characteristic bit Elizabeth Mogg was born in Over Stowey in 1830. She Samuel Weeks, Priddy John Swain, Donyatt John Trump, North Petherton quarryman by trade, but a being told it was songs, than 150 songs and helped Cecil Sharp get contact Plucknett was living in Nether Stowey 1906 Mrs. Trump, North Petherton opportunity here in this of singing I had ever 1906 1905 gardener by choice, as danced him round and with other singers, most notably Elizabeth Porter and Walter Locock, Martock Eliza Wilkins, Over Stowey heard.’ He caught up with in 1881 and working as a Richard Adams, East Harptree William Brister, Ilminster Cecil Sharp’s photograph 1907 Mrs. Balsh, Ubley William Durkin, Ilminster 1907 most musical of counties. round ‘with the utmost Emma Overd at her home in her daughter Lily, who lived next door. dressmaker, and although the family a few days T. Buckley, Castle Cary Jack Barnard, Bridgwater Thomas Hendy, Ilminster Martha Badley, shows. His large and wide vigour’, shouting to her Knapp’s Lane, Westover, unmarried had a son born at So come all ye! later, on the road to William Cornelius, James Barnett, Bridgwater John Holt, North Petherton repertoire enlarged Cecil’s friends that her ‘beau’ had Langport 1907: MINEHEAD AND EXMOOR Bideford, and then in Holford. By 1891 she had South Petherton William Bennett, Hazelbury Plucknett Emma Callow, Bagborough knowledge of folk song and come at last. Cecil was fascinated by her large, wide, John Gartell, Castle Cary Bridgwater Henry Larcombe, Eliza Hill, Over Stowey January 1908 tracked migrated to Dodington, enriched the published Folk Mrs. Millard, Castle Cary Elizabeth Betty, Bridgwater Hazelbury Plucknett David Oaten, Taunton and unusual repertoire of songs. It is possible that where she lived in the James Brooks, Bridgwater Caroline Laurence, Merriott Henry Pain, Combwitch ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Harry Richards of Curry Rivel 9 William Sparks down the grandmother, 1908 Songs from Somerset. He is these came from her paternal grandmother, Rebecca household of her brother-in- Mrs. Brooks, Bridgwater Abraham Lawrence, Ilminster Elizabeth Starkey, Concept & Compilation: Yvette Staelens William Sparks (1854-1916) was born and spent all Rebecca Holland, from Betsy Holland Mr. Rawle, Barrington buried at Curry Rivel. Weaver, born in the 1770s, who cared for the family law Henry Chilcott, with Julia Burroughs, Puriton Selina Lawrence, Over Stowey Research: Yvette Staelens and C. J. Bearman whom Betsy said she learned the song. Ellen Carter, Cheddar Merriott Charlotte Villis, Over Stowey his life in Minehead, at 1 Middle Street, Higher Town. Langport area Published by Somerset County Council Cultural Service after her mother’s death in 1846. Emma’s husband James Squires, another Mrs. Chapman, Ubley Mrs. Meecham, Merriott Mrs. Ware, Over Stowey His father John was a blacksmith and William followed © Yvette Staelens, C. J. Bearman & Somerset County Council died in 1914, but she lived on in good health until singer. Cecil Sharp collected 1903 Jane Chapman, Thomas Mitchell, Merriott Benjamin Warren, Taunton 3 Lucy White & Louie Hooper in the trade, though Henry Payne, Curry Rivel West Harptree Mr. Morris, Marston Magna Emma Wilkins, Combwitch Design: Andrew Crane 1927, then went into a decline which ended in her 1908: QUANTOCKS from her in Holford and she he is also said to Thomas Symes, Isle Brewers Mrs. Chedzoy, Puriton Mrs. Parsons, Eliza Woodberry, Ash Priors Lucy White and Louisa (‘Louie’) Hooper were half- death the following year. She is buried at Curry Rivel, was buried from Hilton Elizabeth Mogg, Doddington James Church, Marston Magna Charles Wooley, Printed by Remous Ltd, Milborne Port 1904 have rented and Holford Chewton Mendip John Patch, Nether Stowey Photos: Somerset singers © EFDSS (except Lucy White sisters, born in 1848 and 1860 respectively. Their and has an entry in the Oxford Dictionary of National 12 John Short Cottages, in that village, in Giles Adams, Isle Brewers A.A. Clarke, Wells Hazelbury Plucknett William Wooley, private collection); Ian Tapscott; David Sutcliffe; mother, Mrs. England, had been one of the most properties to holiday- Mrs. Bray, Langport Biography. Jack Barnard Lily Porter, Jack Barnard’s March 1921. Sarah Clarke, Meare Betsy Prince, Over Stowey David Lawrence; John Howson, Yvette Staelens makers. His song John Short (1838-1933) was born at Watchet, but Frederick Crossman, renowned singers in the district until her death in neighbour in Bridgwater Mrs. Coombes, Bridgwater Hazelbury Plucknett Huish Episcopi 1908 Research generously supported by the Marc Fitch Fund ‘The Two Magicians’ became a deep-sea sailor, spending his time on Charles Harvey, Mrs. Sherring, 1892. Both married, but Louie was widowed within Emma Glover, Huish Episcopi Amos Ash, Combe Florey Frederick Crossman Cannard’s Grave Marston Magna 5 was the only item windjammers because he did not consider that 7 Mr. Hartland, Curry Rivel Charles Ash, Crowcombe months. By 1901 they were living in adjacent houses 7 George Wyatt James Creedy, Bridgwater Mr. Warren, Hazelbury The information on this map has been compiled in good faith and steamships produced ‘real sailors’. After he retired Mrs. Hull, Langport Mary Ann Ash, Cannington Fred Crossman was born at Huish Episcopi in 1846. Cecil Sharp collected John Culley, Plucknett George (1822-1907) and Lydia (1828-1916) Wyatt Eliza Hutchings, Langport J.H. Baker, Crowcombe Somerset Council will accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions from him, but it was from the sea he returned to Watchet, became the Farrington Gurney Susan Williams, His acquaintance with folk music began when he was John Jeffrey, Isle Brewers Mr. Baker, North Petherton howsoever caused. were among several singers in West Harptree from Mrs. Franks, Hazelbury Plucknett a boy, buying ballad sheets at Bridgwater Fair. As a unique in Somerset Mrs. Kettle, Langport Mr. Beemer, Crowcombe Nempnett Thrubwell Harriet Young, West Chinnock whom Cecil Sharp collected in 1904-5, with the aid of A Victorian passion Mrs. Maisie, Langport Florence Chedgey, Wick young man, he worked as a gardener in Brewham and and rare elsewhere. Jacob Giblett, Meare Emma Overd, Langport 1906 James Chedgey, Over Stowey the Kettlewell family. He was an agricultural labourer Cecil Sharp was not the first or the only Mr. Gordge, Bridgwater Bruton before returning to Huish and setting up as a William became ill in Mrs. Palmer, Langport Lucy Carter, Tintinhull Henry Conybeare, who spent all his life in the village, and it is Tom Hatry, Bridgwater 1916 and died in Willliam Sparks at his forge in Somerset folk song collector. Other collectors Mrs. Perry, Langport Combe Florey market gardener with his brother Albert. It is probably Joseph Laver, Bridgwater 1908 interesting that they gave their Minehead busy in Somerset include, Kate Lee (1859- Harry Richards, Curry Rivel Edward Feast, Cannington not a coincidence that they both lived near Emma Taunton Hospital. William Mantel, Bridgwater Anna Abbott, East Coker 9 1904), a concert and opera singer who was the Christopher Shire, Langport John Fox, Bagborough sons Biblical names – William Mead, Bridgwater Mrs. Francis, Rimpton Glover, another noted singer, and also near the Rose first Secretary of the Folk Song Society. She William Spearing, James Fudge, East Combe Jonathan Pearce, Draycott Priscilla Light, West Coker Absalom, Mark, and Isle Brewers Jane Gulliford, Combe Florey and Crown pub. Fred and Albert advertised their collected sea songs in Minehead in the 1890s. Mrs. Porter, Bridgwater Alfred John Neville, 2 Charles Marson Matthew. After George’s 12 Ellen Trott, Langport Lily Lane, Fiddington Henry Hammond (1866-1910) and George Lily Porter, Bridgwater East Coker produce in local newspapers and drove to sell it at Emma Welch, Isle Brewers James Lovell, Broomfield death Lydia entered 11 10 13 Gardiner (1852- Mrs. Simmonds, Ubley Charles Neville, East Coker Charles Marson was Bridgwater. Their business prospered, and neither Jane Wheller, Langport Esau Porter, Enmore 1910) were James Southward, Bridgwater John Matravers, Yeovil born into a clergyman’s Clutton Workhouse Mrs. Stanley, Spaxton brother conforms to the common picture of the poor, 15 1905 John Stafford, Bishop’s Sutton teachers and Thomas Stanley, Spaxton family on 16 May1859 Louie Hooper on the canal Lucy White, Westport, (workhouses were the old Caroline Cox, High Ham Benjamin Watts, Minehead and Exmoor downtrodden folk singer, because Albert left more than educationalists. Mrs. Temlett, Bagborough bridge outside her home at Hambridge peoples’ homes of the day) where she died. Albert Crossman, Farrington Gurney and educated at Clifton Interestingly he does not They began 1904 Charles West, Broomfield Westport, Hambridge £1,000 in his will 6 Huish Episcopi Charles Webb, Puriton collecting in Captain Lewis, Minehead College and University and Fred £880. He conform to the poor folk singer Mrs. Fido, Langport Charlotte Webb, Puriton 1909 in Westport, and Charles Marson was trying hard to get Maria Slade, Minehead College Oxford. In 1889 1905-6, Gardiner in Eliza Small, Langport George Whitcombe, Meare William Davy, Nether Stowey was a well-known stereotype, because he received a lengthy Mrs. Slade, Minehead their living conditions improved. They were among the Bath Workhouse Ellen Snow, Somerton Susan Wilson, Shipham Daisy Wesley, Spaxton he went to Australia William Sparks, Minehead first singers collected from by Cecil Sharp, and he was local character and obituary in the local newspaper, and one of his and Hammond in William Snow, Somerton Charles Young, Puriton Henry Hill, Nether Stowey Captain Vickery, Minehead and met Cecil Sharp in sons was serving in the mounted Yeomanry of the Taunton area, Lucy Swaine, Somerton immensely fortunate to find them at the very outset of bell-ringer until his 1907 1913 1905 Adelaide. They death in 1933. the district. until they moved on 1906 Elizabeth Barnard, Bridgwater Mrs. Coles, Over Stowey his collecting career, because they were natural William Gard, Williton immediately became to Hampshire and Edward Harrison, Langport Mary Brewer, Huntspill 1914 musicians with a huge repertoire of songs. Louie 14 Dorset respectively. Charlotte Hector, Henry Cave, Nettlebridge 1906 friends. In 1892, 4 Mrs Lock, singer of John Hill, Bagborough Hooper in particular loved instrumental music, and Priscilla Wyatt- Burrowbridge Alfred Chard, Chew Stoke Mary Ann Burnett, Minehead 10 5 Muchelney Ham Tom Hill, Bagborough Marson and his family Robert Parish James Lockyer, Middlezoy William Chorley, Bridgwater Robert Chapman, Old Cleeve Cecil gave her a concertina. Lucy died in 1923, but 15 Edgell (1872-1934) photographed by Cecil Mrs. Wyatt, West Monckton returned to England Robert Parish (1822-1909) was among several lived at Cowley Sharp probably in April Mary Ann Lawrence, Susan Clark, Bridgwater John Chapman, Dunster Louie lived on to become the Grand Old Lady of Somerton Samuel Crane, Meare William Crockford, Bratton where he struggled to 2 Place, near Exeter, 1904 Location not known singers whom Cecil Sharp met in Exford. He Betsy Pike, Somerton Albert Dowden, Huntspill Henry Cudland, Old Cleeve Somerset folk song and be visited by the increasing Frederick Crossman George Wyatt and and besides work in find work. After curacies in Soho and Somers Town Oliver Shutler, Eliza Dunstan, Mark William Davis, Porlock Weir John Meetch or Weetch, 1914 numbers who followed in Cecil’s footsteps. In 1942-43 of Huish Episcopi his wife Lydia at was born in the village and spent all his life in 1 Devon collected in Minehead and mid- he was appointed vicar of Hambridge in 1895. their cottage in West 3 16 Compton Dundon Alfred Edgell, Chew Magna Bessie Huxtable, Minehead Walter Raymond, no date she was visited by Douglas Cleverdon of the BBC, and the village, working as a gardener and living in Somerset, sending the results to Cecil Sharp. Betsy Smith, Walter Edgell, Chew Magna John Knott, Dulverton given Charles was a Christian Socialist and in Hambridge Harptree several of her songs were recorded for posterity. She Glebe Cottage, next to the church. His son Robert E.T.W. Wedmore was a Folk Song Society Creech St. Michael John Fackrell, Bridgwater Joe Milton, Withypool he put his beliefs into practice, symbolically washing was a tailor, and that may be one of the reasons for member who collected in Minehead. Cecil Eliza Sweet, Somerton Revd. Hargreaves, Mary Ann Milton, Washford died on Ash Wednesday 1946. The sisters have an East Harptree the feet of poor village boys on Maundy Thursday Sharp also had a number of collaborators, 1907 entry in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. his smart appearance in Cecil’s photograph. Among James Higgens, chiefly clergy and their families like D.M. Ross, Mr. Dommett, Pitminster and persuading the villagers to make their own Shepton Mallet the songs collected from him was ‘The Beggarman’, vicar of Langport, Gerald Miss Gooding, Somerton Ivy Hill, Shepton Mallet Nativity Play and act in it; he also tried to get descended from ‘Back and Peppin at Marston Mrs. Selway, Westonzoyland 16 Maggie Hill, Shepton Mallet landlords to improve the cottages in which his Side Go Bare’ which was first Magna, and the Sorby Thomas Cave, Evercreech George Withers was born in 1924, the year at the National Folk Festival and at festivals 8 Mrs. Hill, Bridgwater Sunday Folk Club poorest parishioners lived. He helped to establish a 14 printed in 1557. Robert Parish family at Enmore, but 1908 Ernest King, East Harptree that Cecil Sharp died, into a Somerset from Wadebridge to Whitby and in the west perhaps the most Samuel Barman, Durston John King, Chew Stoke branch of the Independent Labour Party in Langport A LIVING remained in good health to the farming family. He has sung all his life and of Ireland. ‘I have met some lovely people, I remarkable was Alice Alfred Emery, Othery Ben Leader, Badgworth in 1908 and was a popular preacher at local end of his life, and had taken TRADITION remembers his father singing and whistling don’t know much about them, they could be Snow in Somerton. The George Emery, Othery Florence Lockett, Halsway celebrations, well known for his ability to make his usual walk, inspected his Town Crier, and devotedly nursed his wife, who was daughter and grand- Caroline Passmore, Pitminster East Harptree as he went about his daily work on the farm. George has always enjoyed village life criminals, but we are all brothers in song’. To Mr. Passmore, Pitminster Mrs. Marchant, Bridgwater First Sunday in the month (except August). A friendly congregations laugh. He and Cecil Sharp collected vegetable garden, and eaten crippled by arthritis. In 1914, he was visited by Cecil daughter of folk singers, Manor Charles Spiller, Pitminster Samuel Norris, Wedmore and especially the gatherings that necessitated doing ‘a turn’ on the village hall stage. hear George sing, and perhaps recite some of she had risen from a group that meets in the Halsway lounge at 8pm. folk songs together initially, but in 1906 they Sharp, who in three days collected from him over sixty Richard Olding, Bridgwater his dinner when he collapsed 1909 We welcome singers, players, writers, readers and He learned many songs from his parents and when he moved to a farm at Isle his poetry inspired by rural life, visit the poor background to Fred Patch, Wedmore quarrelled and never saw one another again. On 3 and died suddenly, while his sea shanties, many of which were not previously Gerald Peppin Mrs. Tucker, Huish Episcopi listeners. Informal and relaxed atmosphere. Bar open. Abbots he met Harry Adams, a great singer and storyteller, who fuelled George’s monthly song session at Eli’s in Huish became a musically- Isaac Perkins, Nettlebridge March 1914, Charles Marson died from a heart daughter was making him a known. He was afterwards visited by another sea- literate elementary school teacher who collected Contact: Deryck Deane interest in traditional songs. George has travelled widely in the folk scene, appearing Episcopi. Lavinia Rendall, Chew Magna attack. Cecil Sharp attended the funeral. George Withers. Photo: Veteran Records cup of tea. shanty collector, Sir Richard Terry. He was a very from her grandmother Betsy Pike and others. Friendship Roynan, Robert Parish, Exford remarkable natural musician, with a deep, powerful, Chew Magna www.halswaymanor.org.uk