Articles - East Anglian Traditional Music Trust

There is a wealth of information on the traditional music of East Anglia. The most recent articles written for EATMT appear here in date/season order and as they are updated they go on to form part of the forthcoming Newsletter which is sent out 3-4 times per year. As time moves on, these articles will be transferred to the Archives – Past Articles section.

If you would like to contribute to an article or indeed to information on any area within the website, we would be delighted to hear from you.

A great source of information can be taken from Chris Holderness’s articles – Norfolk researcher and musician. A direct link to his articles – the latest of which appear on this website as well as post 2015 articles which are linked individually to the website “Musical Traditions” – can be found HERE.

Please email info@eatmt.org.uk or ring 07495 054669 to speak to the Trust administrator, Alex Bartholomew.

Dancing Davies’ Boots and The Repair Shop – Norfolk Stepdance Fiona Davies tells us about her visit to the BBC’s Repair Shop earlier this week ahead of its Autumn airing. Added October 2024

It’s a Small World – brings two interesting connections in Stowmarket to Traditional Music and Dance. Added October 2024

The Devil’s Box in the East – Fiddle player and historian Chris Holderness’ latest article focuses on Traditional Fiddle playing in Norfolk and Suffolk. Added October 2024

Just like Buses…a story of dulcimers that just keep ringing – Dulcimer finds and restoration plans – news from Norfolk musician, historian and EATMT volunteer Alan Helsdon. Added June 2024

The Suffolk Horse and its History – an article from the Heavy Horse World magazine from Winter 2018 – this article was clearly a labour of love researched and written by from Horseman and Musician Ray Hubbard…he started it in 1948! Ray turned 90 in December 2023 and we hope to feature him in a Podcast at some point in 2024. Added February 2024

Burwell Bash 2024 – With details about this year’s ticket release date and a call for Youth musicians aged 14-25 (including 4 funded places) read on. Added January 2024

East Suffolk Folk Orchestra – The launch of a new venture run by Jo Poole comes to Bungay from Saturday 27th January 2024. Added January 2024

Winter Songs & Folk Carols – an introduction to a Norfolk Workshop Day by Natasha Hood. Added October 2023

Adapting Contemporary Repertoire to the Folk Aesthetic – local musician and music educator Rich Hatton writes about his latest youth project providing a chance for more young people to get involved. Added October 2023

Doc Rowe and his Archive – The launch of a Crowdfunding Campaign and details about plans afoot to digitise this legendary folklorist’s work. By Rob Curry, added October 2023

Sam Larner – Discography – by Chris Holderness, written in 2021 for EATMT following on from his 2013 article featured in MusTrad (no. 280). Links for the article within this discography. Added October 2023

Milkmaid Molly Need YOU – A Plea for Musicians Jan Robinson puts a call out to local musicians for Bury St Edmunds based Milkmaid Molly. Added April 2023.

Where are the Fellow Who Cut the Hay? Local author Robert Ashton writes about his new book inspired by George Ewart Evans. Added in March 2023.

Accessible Ceilidhs – Suffolk musician and dancer Poppy Price-Dowhan introduces us to her new classes run in Suffolk twice month. Added in March 2023.

Barrie Askew – A Tribute Trustee Eammon Andrew has written a tribute to his friend, popular Suffolk musician Barrie Askew following Barrie’s recent death. Added in March 2023.

Remembering Bernard Hawkins – Regular visitor to Traditional Music Day, we pay our respects to this gentle musician and friend. Added in March 2023.

Plough Monday, 9th January 2023. Our roving reporter Alan Helsdon has written a report of the recently reinstated Plough Monday church service at Tilney All Saints thanks to the hard work and dedication of Nicky Stockman, Gordon Philipps and Alice Williams.

John Howson – A Tribute This is the first of two new pages dedicated to the East Anglian Trust’s Co Founder and Director. Added in January 2023. In due course we will be adding John to our Musicians Profile page with additional details about the John the Musician.

Rumburgh Morris News is a press release sharing their news of a donation made to Waveney Food Bank following a successful summer of dance outs. Added January 2023.

Hymns and Cake for Ralph a review of a special celebration at All Saints in Catfield on the evening of the 150th birthday of composer Ralph Vaughan Williams.

Alfred Huddle – the Kings’ Lynn Curate by Alan Helsdon has kindly donated this article for the East Anglian Traditional Music Trust to include in its Articles pages. Added August 2022.

Halesworth Day of Dance 2 April 2022 Read here about this annual event organised by local Molly dance side Oxblood Molly.

Bendle’s Bit by John Bentham. Recollections of a travelling salesman in East Anglia feature in this Midlands based Newsletter for Tigerfolk – formerly Traditions at the Tiger. Written in January 2022.

A Hornpipe by Any Other Name by Chris Holderness. Written in March 2021, this article appears on the EATMT website at the same time that a film version of the talk with music and stepdance has been produced. This film replaced the October 2021 planned event “The Yarmouth Hornpipe”. You can watch the film HERE (and if you like it, please do consider making a ‘ticket’ donation).

Folk Songs from the Eastern Counties – Ralph Vaughan Williams’ collected folk songs. A Review of Albion Records’ latest CD release written by Essex based musician Ed Caines.

Remembering Peter Bellamy 30 years on with contributions from David Bartlett, Paddy Butcher and Alan Helsdon

Puppetry by Greg Pallone

Laura Cox’s Song Book by Alan Helsdon

Harry, Holt & Harmony by Alan Helsdon