Sound Recording, Suffolk

Description

Priscilla Savage, recorded at home in Blaxhall on the 31 October 1974; talks about remembering songs and giving song texts to other people; sings 'There Were Two Jolly Sportsmen' [incomplete - recites some of the words]; songs sung by her father, who also played the concertina; Geoff Ling; her father singing; Bessie Hammond (singer and neighbour); father singing at home; hearing singers at the Ship Inn; sings part of 'O Grief O Grief'; television; the Savage family; the Ship Inn and women; Whitsuntide party; Sunday School and learning pieces; the church, christening of own children and grandchildren, christening dresses; family members; Cyril Poacher; James Knights; Freddy Ambrose; Ben Ling; mother's parish allowance following her husband's death; local Gypsy Traveller communities; comments on present Blaxhall village life; food preparation, price of meat, brewing of beer at home; biographical details and her children's dates of birth. [Tr. 1]


Priscilla Savage, recorded at home on 15 November 1974 [son also present], talks about her husband's job as a shepherd on a local farm; his next job at Blaxhall Hall and working hours; finding employment as a shepherd; tenant farming and tied cottages; hiring shepherds; Harvest Frolics - food, games for children, scrambling for pennies, supper at the Ship Inn; describes modern Harvest Supper in the village, and other events held in the Parish Hall; singing at Harvest Frolics; talks about Bob Scarce and the Ling family; church and chapel; talk of Harvest Supper whilst looking at photographs (pre-World War Two); reference to the supper's move from the Ship Inn to the Parish Hall, and last Saturday at the Ship; chapel services on the green, church attendance; lists Blaxhall singers, including her father and sister-in-law; the story of 'Barbara Allen'; women at the Ship; home brewing beer - process described. [Tr. 2]


44 of 79.

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Notes on terminology and spellings

 

Please note that there may be differences in the terms used to describe the particular communities represented in this collection, many of which have changed over time and may continue to change.

 

At the time this catalogue was created there are many definitions that identify different cultural and ethnic groups with their varied histories, traditions and associations with a travelling life.

 

These can include but are not limited to  those that have been recognised in UK law as ethnic groups; English and Welsh (Romany) Gypsies, Irish and Scottish Travellers; and non-ethnic groups that consider themselves distinct even if these have not been recognised in UK law, e.g. New Travellers, Showmen and Bargees. Outside of the UK 'Gypsy' may also be considered offensive  and ‘Roma’ is often used instead as the universally preferred term although this term also represents a wide range of distinct groups, (e.g. Sinti, Manouche).

 

It is our intention to respectfully and (where possible) accurately refer to these different communities in the catalogue. For this reason we ask you to note the following with regards to the descriptions in this catalogue that have been based on these current definitions:

 

1)  As many of these definitions have only come into being since the collection was created/1st catalogued, please be aware that original descriptions may not accurately reflect the group to which it refers, (e.g. the word 'Gypsy,' may have been used to describe those now recognised as Irish Travellers/Roma).  Therefore it is worth searching under various terms, e.g. 'Romany' and 'Traveller,' to broaden the scope of search results as well as using the alternative historical spellings, 'Gipsy,' 'Gipsie,' or ‘Romani.’

2) Where no original description exists and it is not possible to properly identify a distinct group they will be described as "Gypsy Traveller" (within UK setting), "Roma" for those living/recently originating outside the UK or "Gypsy, Traveller, Roma " for origin/locations unknown. References to any non - ethnic groups will similarly be capitalised to respectfully acknowledge all groups.

Users are advised that content in this section may include accounts of discrimination and the expression of opinions and/or terminology that would now be considered unacceptable.

View the Cultural Collections sensitivity policy

This material is in copyright. Photocopies or digital images can be supplied by the Library for research or private study. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain the copyright holder's permission to reproduce for any other purpose. Guidance is available on tracing copyright status and ownership.

Physical and technical conditions

9.5cm/sec. High recording level. Adjusted on AC copy.

Related material

Ginette Dunn's Ph.D. thesis (Leeds, 1977), 'Popular Singing Traditions in and Around Snape and Blaxhall' ( LAVC/SRP/1/009).


A photocopy of a review of the book, 'The Fellowship of Song'(London: Croom Helm, 1980), that Ginette Dunn published from her thesis is held in the Folklife File, LAVC/FLF/1/3/1 .

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