East Anglian Dulcimers.

An East Anglian Dulcimer decorated in traditional colours.

Who now has ever heard, let alone seen, a dulcimer being played recently in East Anglia? Few I imagine, yet at the beginning of the 20th century, this region probably had more dulcimer players than any other part of England.

What is a dulcimer? It is a strung musical instrument made of wood that originated in the Middle East and spread to Europe in the 11th century. Essentially, a trapezoid shape, strung across the top with steel wires that are struck with cane beaters wound with wool. Each instrument can vary in size and layout making them truly individual, and the sound created is like no other, with rather haunting, atmospheric tones. It is centuries old and there are versions of this type of psaltery or harp, all around the world, a harpsicord being essentially a larger version of the instrument, and the piano a later version still. A close cousin of the ducimer is the zither, having strings that are generally plucked rather than struck.

At their peak of popularity in East Anglia, roughly the hundred years between 1850 to1930, dulcimers were made both by skilled instrument-makers and carpenters. Some were highly decorated with inlaid patterns while others were more simply adorned with black paint and gold decoration. East Anglian dulcimers are distinctive, generally having moveable bridges known as chessmen which enabled fine-tuning on the chromatic scale. There could be up to five strings per note, tuned in unison, leading to a distinctive sound quite different to other UK traditions. The unusual lay-out is thought to have been influenced by the instruments of Italian immigrants of the 18th century and is reckoned by some to be one of the most versatile dulcimer tunings in the world.

However, pianos rather eclipsed the acquisition and playing of dulcimers, many homes between wars seemed to acquire an upright one, but pockets of dulcimer-players carried on the traditions, mainly travelling to rural pubs and gatherings. The folk scene revival of the 1970’s helped cement the instrument’s popularity and its distinctive sounds have been, and still are, used to great effect by rock bands, folk singers and and screen composers.

My interest in dulcimers began after I learned of a returned, badly-injured WWI soldier, who despite serious sight and ear impairment could still 'hear' the vibrations of his dulcimer, enabling him to carry on playing local venues, so I began some research, during which I came across an article that mentioned a mystery instrument bought at an auction in Diss. As it was stripped back during the initial stages of restoration the name J. Caston, Forncett, Norfolk was found both inside the instrument and on its stand. Extraordinarily, this instrument was actually made in my own village. The history of this particular dulcimer, bought in pieces, at auction many years ago, is now gradually unfolding.

Meanwhile, listen out for the distinctive tones on sound-tracks as varied as Gladiator, Lord of the Rings, Best Marigold Hotel, Whale Rider, How to Train your Dragon, The Grand Budapest Hotel - particularly atmospheric and haunting - and The Road to Perdition.

Traditional instrument in traditional setting. Billy Cooper 1883-1964 , Norfolk dulcimer player.

Note: East Anglian (and English Dulcimers in general) are not to be confused with Apalachian or Mountain dulcimers played extensively in the United States. Apalachian shapes and styles vary considerably, and have continuous bridges. Quite different in shape and construction, these instruments are often plucked rather than played with beaters.

Apalachian Dulcimer

For those interested, the instrument-maker Richard Blake monikarichard@yahoo.co.uk says 'the fine-tuning of the East Anglian dulcimer allows chordal and harmonic accompaniment in the home key of G and its close relatives. It also facilitates playing in the keys of c, d, f, a and bflat with very little trouble, not to mention the relative minor keys and modes. With 21 bridges it has a range of three octaves. There are not many other small tabletop dulcimers in the world that can boast all this.'

East Anglian Dulcimer with traditional decoration.

http://www.eastangliandulcimers.org.uk https://www.eatmt.org.uk/dulcimers-2/

www.kittywitchdiaries.com

When Laurel and Hardy Played Norwich.

Comedy Duo Laurel and Hardy

As a young girl living in small-town Essex, it was a real treat to visit the local cinema, the Century in Loughton. It was where we could enjoy in glorious black and white, the bowler-hatted comedy duo so popular at the time, Laurel and Hardy.

Tall, thin, less-than-bright Stan Laurel was seen frequently scratching lagubriously at his spiky hair or reduced to tears by the impatient goings-on of his co-star, portly Oliver Hardy.The crumpled tweed suits of the bow-tie-wearing Englishman reflected the corrugations of his vacant face as it went through series of emotions, contrasting starkly with neater-suited Hardy, who frequently waggled his tie in exasperation at Laurel's stupid incompetence.

With 107 films together, Laurel and Hardy were a staple of the 'flicks' for years. Ollie's catchphrase, 'well, here's another nice mess you've gotten me into', after a riotous slapstick routine, was mimicked by all of us. So, it came as something of a surprise to learn recently that though the he pair's careers were centred in America, they actually performed live in Norwich, Norfolk, in February,1954.

Hollywood comedy stars Oliver Hardy and Stan Laurel pictured on their visit to Norwich in 1954. (Image: Archant)

What a treat for exhausted people struggling to get to grips with rebuilding shattered lives after the war. Laughter must have been a wonderful, if short-term, anti-dote to the miseries of scrimping and rationing.The duo performed at Norwich Hippodrome (sadly demolished in 1966), and stayed at the Royal Hotel at the top end of Prince of Wales Road.

Nearing the end of their careers, they were grateful for the staggering sum of £1,000 it had cost to bring them here, and it would not be long before both were to shuffle off their earthly stage. Oliver died first in August, 1957 which apparently sent Laurel into swift decline, rendering him too ill to even attend his friend's funeral. 'Babe would understand', he said using he nick-name that stuck early in Oliver Hardy's life after a shave left him with skin like a baby.

There is a blue plaque to the men (and incidentally also to Cary Grant), on the site of St. Giles car park which replaced the old Hippodrome.

Loch Neaton

Whoever would have thought that we in Norfolk have our own Loch? We have meres and lakes as a rule, so what's the story behind Loch Neaton at Watton?

It begins in 1875 when the privately owned Thetford and Watton Railway Company decided to extend the track of the 'Crab and Winkle Line' across low-lying land at Neaton, a hamlet on the outskirts of Watton.

In order to build up the embankment, Scottish navvies excavated enormous quantities of earth from two areas leaving them with deep depressions locally known as 'the ballast holes,' one of which filled naturally with freshwater from the nearby River Wissey and with it, the idea was born to use this new facility for recreation for the local community. Loch Neaton Pleasure Grounds.

A group of businessmen got together and turned the whole area into a leisure park with boating on the lake, diving boards for swimming, fishing, bowls on the green and a concert bandstand which was used for very many years. There was also an area for playing quoits and a later acquisition of land saw the addition of separate tennis courts for men and women and changing rooms for bathers.

Loch Neaton Park was administered by a committee of townsmen, and in 1906 was conveyed to Trustees on behalf of the town for all time, for the benefit of the people of the town and the surrounding villages. Using money raised locally, its facilities were gradually improved. Fairy lights were strung from the trees, sporting events added to the calander and every Whitsun they organised a marathon race.

Time and changes in recreation and expectation have wreaked many changes since. The railway line has gone and all the park's leisure facilities have disappeared though fishing is allowed and the grounds are still used as a picnic area.

With the introduction of regular park-runs as a modern feature, a new generation of people is being introduced to the lake that became a loch in honour of the Scottish labourers who accidentally created it so long ago.

Loch Neaton today