A hundred years ago George Gardiner, a Scot with a longstanding interest in folk song, made his first foray into Hampshire in a quest for singers who could, in his own words "warble a song as old as the Parish church", which eventually gleaned some 1,400 songs.
Bob and Paul (L-R below) have been researching George Gardiner's Hampshire operations, revisiting the scenes and tracing descendants of the original source singers with many local examples covering places like Titchfield, Fareham, Southampton, Portsmouth and the Test Valley.
Bob Askew's illustrated talks concerning Gardiner and his Hampshire collecting are being given in various venues around the area, with performances from Bob's daughters Emily & Hazel, from Paul Hawkins and from Anne Winter, from groups like Tangle and Schiehallion - and not forgetting Frank Purslow's invaluable ground work. These shows target Folk Clubs, Local History Groups, Libraries and the like and are individually tailored to the area in which they are given. Sadly, Frank Purslow who was to have been awarded with the EFDSS Gold Medal for his early work with the Gardiner collection, died recently.
A flavour of the material may be obtained form this reprint of the Southampton Talk, although for the full effect you need to hear the songs with which these talks are always illustrated, part of the pleasure consisting in hearing the actual local variants. Visit the GAG website for more information.
SOUTHERN SONGS FORUM
Saturday 26th January 8pm at the LIMES HOTEL CATISFIELD, Catisfield Lane, Nr Fareham. PO15 5NN. M.C. Bob Askew. A chance to perform a traditional song and talk about it with others. Or just come to listen and talk. The emphasis will be on the discussion e.g. what the song is about, what you like about it, where the song came from, earlier performers of the song, etc. This is a new event, so come and try it. For information bob_askew@hotmail.co.uk. Entry £1.00
HAMPSHIRE SONGS AT SHEDFIELD
Sat 9th February 7.30 pm Local Hampshire songs. Gwilym and Carol Davies, Rob Mills and Anne Winter in a celebration of Hampshire’s own songs. Gwilym Davies tape recorded songs in the 1960s and 70s, including some from Sam’s Hotel. Rob Mills learned local songs from his father. Tickets £5.00. contact bob_askew@hotmail.co.uk.
Shedfield Reading Room, Church Rd SO32 2HY (Opposite Parish Church). Presented by the George Gardiner Appreciation Group
The Community Choir Concerts
In the summer of 2006, amongst other celebrations of the centenary of Gardiner's efforts, around 150 people gathered in different parts of Hampshire to sing these songs - the folk music of their very own county with performers drawn from the community choirs in Andover, Alton, and Winchester. The driving force behind this project was a team consisting of Sarah Morgan, Carolyn Robson (both of Craig;Morgan;Robson), Paul Sartin (Faustus, Bellowhead) and Freya Tabbush (the Tabbush Sisters). They worked hard choosing and arranging songs and teaching them to the choir members, and they are pleased to say that they featured two of Roger Watson's [TAPS] original arrangements, plus others by Paul, Sarah and Anna Tabbush. As well as songs from the choirs, the concerts included solos and some readings from Gardiner's letters, from highly respected Hampshire singer Steve Jordan, and instrumental pieces based on the song melodies, played by some of the multi-talented choir members.
One of the most exciting things about the project is the great enjoyment which the performers (very few of whom have any connection with the "folk scene") found in singing these songs, some of which are several hundred years old. But when you listen to the songs, that is easier to understand, because they tell stories of people like us, who fall in and out of love, suffer accidents and misfortunes, and at times, enjoy a good old moan about how "things aren't what they used to be". So look out for the concerts and come and support Hampshire people keeping Hampshire songs very much alive.
For further information email Sarah Morgan
This project was supported by Hampshire County Council and local folk, blues and traditional music recording label Forest Tracks.
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A hundred years ago George Gardiner, a Scot with a longstanding interest in folk song, made his first foray into Hampshire in a quest for singers who could, in his own words "warble a song as old as the Parish church", which eventually gleaned some 1,400 songs.