Sound Recordings, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Berkshire

Description

Compilation of folk songs and conversation, selected from fieldwork recordings LAVC/SRE/A476r - A493r. The majority of the (male and female) singers were recorded in their own homes, singing unaccompanied. A small number of the songs were recorded in pubs, and two were recorded at Bulmershe Teacher Training College in Reading, with in some cases musical accompaniment provided on the piano, guitar, ukulele or melodeon. The extracts of conversation include talk of the song 'The Old Leather Britches', a minstrel troop, recollections and anecdotes relating to Shipton-under-Wychwood, Gypsy Traveller communities, social singing and dancing, work with horses, horse fairs and agricultural work.


20 of 20.

Access and usage

Reproduction

Access

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.

View the Cultural Collections sensitivity policy

The original description for this material has been edited to remove or amend content that expressed historic opinions and/or terminology that would now be considered unacceptable. The terminology has been edited because it was not deemed relevant or necessary to the description of the record. The original description for this record has been preserved and can be accessed.

A written application to the Head of Special Collections, University of Leeds, is required. This should identify clearly the research for which access to the sound recording(s) and/or any transcription(s) of both texts and music is requested. Access is permitted only within the Special Collections searchroom at the University of Leeds. No copy recordings or transcriptions whatsoever shall be made. Permission will normally be given for bona fide research purposes only and not for commercial use of any kind.

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.

A written application for publication, performance or re-recording/transcription of the item(s) (or parts thereof) should be made to the Head of Special Collections, University of Leeds. Applications will be considered on a one-to-one basis, in consultation with the collector, his family and/or descendants, and where possible with the family and/or descendants of the informant(s) recorded on this tape/in the transcription(s). Permission will normally be given for bona fide research purposes only and not for commercial use of any kind.


Copyright shall remain at all times with the Fargher-Noble Trust on behalf of the collector, the informant(s) and their families/descendants. Where it is no longer possible for the University of Leeds to make contact with the collector, informant(s) or their families/descendants, the Head of Special Collections will consult and liaise with the Trustees of the Fargher-Noble Trust (SC 026604).

Copyright: Fargher-Noble Trust

Physical and technical conditions

9.5cm/sec. Sticky tape squeal affects the majority of these sound recordings, causing severe distortion/masking of the singers' voices. Playback speed and recording levels adjusted on AC copy.

Related material

John Baldwin's M.Phil. thesis (Leeds, 1978), 'The Folk Song of the Upper Thames' ( LAVC/SRP/1/090). A typed Tape Table of Contents, listing song titles and conversation topics, is held in file LAVC/SRE/ARI/018.

Related records in our catalogue

Related subjects / tags

WARNING: many of our records have not been classified by subject. So if you search our catalogue by subject using the links below then you are unlikely to find all relevant records. But you will find some...