Sue Cubbin, David Occomore & Philip Heath-Coleman

Sue Cubbin, musician and researcher. Sue’s former employer, the Essex Record Office published her work, “That Precious Legacy”, based on a selection of the Essex folksongs collected by Vaughan Williams, in 2006. Sue had researched a selection (30) of songs collected and notated by Ralph Vaughan Williams on his visits to Essex from 1903 and also introduces us to more detail about the singers and the villages that Vaughan Williams visited.

The support to publish Sue’s research by the Essex Record Office came with a specific print time and Sue wasn’t able to complete all of the research she had hoped for and so this publication for Sue doesn’t go far enough in her eyes. It has however, for us, been invaluable for this project however and EATMT has a copy of this work in its library. It is out of print and without the opportunity to update it, this is unlikely to be reprinted. Sue plays in a trio called “Potiphar’s Apprentices” and brings her years of research to life through their concerts (and through CDs) along with fellow musicians John Cubbin and Adrian May.

Because Essex was starting place of Vaughan Williams’ folk song collection, it seemed fitting that Potiphar’s Apprentices were invited to the Vaughan Williams’ Folk Project Launch in October 2022. A recording of this event can be found HERE.

Sue used another fantastic resource whilst researching that was published privately in 1984 (new edition, the original work being produced in 1980) called “Folk Songs Collected in Essex by Dr Ralph Vaughan Williams” transcribed by David Occomore & Philip Heath-Coleman. The VWF Project Team was unaware of this document until we started working with the Researchers. This huge volume documents over 115 folk songs collected and notated by Vaughan Williams in Essex. Ursula Vaughan Williams described it as “a work of affection and detection” by the pair who used Vaughan Williams’ manuscript books which are held in the British Library and their transcriptions from these books include complete versions of the lyrics (that may or may not have been sung by the singers). Because both David and Philip were living in Essex, the desire to delve into the singers and their villages added to the final work.

Both David and Philip were delighted to give permission for EATMT to share their work with others and Philip sent a physical copy of this work, both giving permission to disseminate and share with a wider audience. When their work was completed, a copy of this work was left with EFDSS and the local Essex Record Office (ERO) and also left with the ERO was a folder containing letters and permissions including correspondence from Ursula Vaughan Williams to David and Philip inviting them to tea! This folder is available to view at the ERO as is a copy of their work. EATMT also holds a copy which has also been digitised by EATMT.

For more information about these documents email info@eatmt.org.uk.

Back to the Vaughan Williams’ Manuscripts Page

Back to the Vaughan Williams’ Folk main page