Sound Recordings, Suffolk
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Details
Type of record: Archive
Title: Sound Recordings, Suffolk
Classmark: LAVC/SRE/A390r
Creator(s): Dunn, Ginette
Site Location(s): Subject - Blaxhall, East Suffolk, England, United Kingdom( 52.161, 1.4619 ); Subject - Aldeburgh, Suffolk, England, United Kingdom( 52.1549, 1.60215 )
Date(s): October 1974
Size and medium: 1 x 12.7cm open reel spool; Duration: 92' 13".
Persistent link: https://explore.library.leeds.ac.uk/special-collections-explore/414441
Collection group(s): Leeds Archive of Vernacular Culture
Description
Alice Messenger, recorded on the 4 October 1974 in Aldeburgh, possibly at a friend's house. [The informant is from Blaxhall. A Mrs. Thompson also speaks on this recording.] Conclusion of a recording which starts on tape LAVC/SRE/A389r. Alice Messenger sings 'I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen'; Mrs. Thompson suggests other song titles (including London songs and music hall); AM sings 'Cockles and Mussels', 'Count Your Blessings'and 'London is the Largest City in the World'; talks of singing with Bob Hart; learning songs at family get togethers; Blaxhall singers that collector has recorded [collector reads list of names] - AM suggests others [Mrs. Thompson contributes]. [Tr. 1]
Alice Messenger, recorded [?at home] in Blaxhall on the 31 October 1974, talks about the length of songs [Mr. Messenger - ? Sid Messenger - contributes]; Mrs. Thompson; concert parties and visiting other villages; singing as a young child; concerts during World War One; church choir; concert party members; song sheets from the shop Woolworths; singing properly; choosing songs according to the type of audience; meaning and stories in songs; song ownership; women and pub singing; the Candlestick Dance, performed by women on Whit Monday; separation of men and women in the Ship Inn, Blaxhall; men step dancing; fighting; Romany ancestors; the Ling family; Gypsy Traveller communities in the Blaxhall area; suggested origin of the name Blaxhall.
Alice Messenger's early family life - parents' occupations [Mr. Messenger contributes]; living on land owned by Lord Ullswater; parents' names; childhood jobs, including stone picking; grandmother singing; parents singing in the Ship Inn - types of songs sung (gives titles); family singsongs; working in service in Blaxhall, Cambridge, London and Manchester - talks of wages, describes range of duties; working in Halesworth; courting and marriage; Mr. Messenger's seasonal work at ?Snape/?Blaxhall Maltings; experiences of air raids during World War Two; childhood recollections of World War One; eating rabbits; singing in concerts; playing the piano; Bob Scarce; other Blaxhall singers listed and commented on; Blaxhall village life - rivalry with Tunstall and Snape; comments on other villagers; the effect of World War One; Mr. Messenger's parents; his and Alice Messenger's children. [Tr. 2]
62 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.
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Physical and technical conditions
9.5cm/sec. High recording level. Adjusted on AC copy.
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