Catfield

Harry Cox of Catfield

Harry was born on March 27th 1885 at Pennygate, Barton Turf, across the Broad from Catfield where he lived most of his life, and died on May 6th, 1971 aged 86. He made his first recording in 1934 and his last in 1970 - a span of 36 years! He was also singing up to his 85th Party, in Hickling Pleasure Boat, also in 1970 and says he first sang in public at the age of 11 in the Union Tavern, Smallburgh - a period of some 74 years! He remembered also going to the pub with his father when he was only 4 and learning some of his songs and tunes, and from then on he made a life-long collection which he would sing to himself over and over to make sure he didn't forget them. He would get his sisters and later his daughter Myrtle to write out the words for him, for, as Myrtle says, "My father was not brilliant at writing". He was very enthusiastic at getting new songs: "Many a time, when I've heard of a man in another village who had a song I didn't know, I've walked over to see him and paid him sixpence to teach it to me. I've walked as far as fifteen miles for a song".
He was also unusual in that he wasn't a regular farm worker. Harry Durrants of Potter Heigham recalled, Harry was more of a businessman than the rest. "If he could earn a few more pound reed-cutting, he'd take on a few rod of reed. He'd do thatching, beet-hoeing, anything". This independence allowed Harry the freedom that the tied labourer didn't have. It later allowed him to go down to London or over to Norwich to make recordings of his songs. He grew into a very independent and capable man. He sang on the BBC's Country Magazine (1942-55) and As I roved out (1953-58) and was recorded on paper and tape by many enthusiasts over the years. He visited London many times to sing at Cecil Sharp House as well as on the radio and in the recently formed Folk-Song Clubs. He was also visited by local singers, and at the 85th Birthday Party the pub was packed with family, friends and enthusiasts from the region's folk clubs.

Jimmy Hayne of Smallburgh

We know nothing about Jimmy Hayne apart from the fact that he probably lived in Smallburgh, played an instrument of some kind and was noted by Norwich piano teacher and dance tune collector Joan Roe in 1937 and possibly 1936 playing 4 tunes: Wayford Bridge Long Dance tune, Pipers' Fancy, also used for the Long Dance, Wayford Bridge Step Dance tune, and Yarmouth Reel

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