Episode 13. West Gallery Music

SYNOPSIS

Jacqueline Patten’s interview illustrates the sometimes-overlooked fact that in an oral tradition   the practice of collection continues to this day – a point made by John Rowlands Pritchard in his interview. More than this, history can sometimes offer up surprises, as new discoveries are reformulated under subject headings that would not have been recognized at the time. This is broadly true of the term West Gallery Music, which has only come into use since 1990 to describe the sacred tune books that flourished in Anglican or non-conformist churches in villages and country towns between 1740 and 1860.  They were used by a small group of instrumentalists who were stationed in a purpose-built gallery at the west end of the church to accompany choral or congregational singing. With her late husband, Bob, Jacqueline collected field recordings of traditional songs including West Gallery Music, story-telling and customs, mainly in the South West of England.    

GUEST

A freelance historian and former employee at Somerset Record Office, Jacqueline Patten collaborated with her late husband Bob on fieldwork recordings which led to the creation of the Bob & Jacqueline Patten English Folk Music Collection (British Library reference C1033). It strikes a balance between folk song, dance, folk narrative, custom, belief, language, and all other aspects of living, with a strong focus on Somerset. 

RESOURCES

The Bob & Jacqueline Patten English Folk Music Collection can be accessed online at the British Library Sounds website.

Jacqueline’s interview with Simon was recorded at Yvette Staelens’ home on 26 January 2020.