Hampshire Songs and the George Gardiner Collection

George Gardiner was the greatest collector of Hampshire songs. The object of this web site is to celebrate and publicise Hampshire songs: the collection of George Gardiner and other people who recorded Hampshires great heritage of songs. A century ago, George Gardiner devoted his final years to collecting some 1200 songs in Hampshire. His notebooks contain many interesting songs in their original form, but few people in Hampshire seem aware of them. Lucy Broadwood and Alice Gillington also collected Hampshire songs around this time. Fifty years later Bob Copper (of the famous singing family) came to live in Hampshire and he tape-recorded surviving singers in the north of the county. In the 1970s Gwilym Davies tape-recorded singers in the south and east, and Paul Marsh has made many recordings from all over the county. The songs tell us of the ways of the past, but deal with some issues that are still relevant today. Most importantly, they are good to sing. This site is dedicated to the collectors, the songs and English song culture. 2010 EVENTS 2010 is the Centenary of George Gardiner's death. Lots of events are planned to celebrate this. Hampshire Record Office: a talk by Bob Askew on Hampshire Songs and the collection of George Gardiner. Thursday 28th January. Admission free. 19th January. Toasts in memory of George Gardiner. 20th January. Singaround to honour Gardiner's Centenary. Hyde Tavern Winchester. THE HAMPSHIRE FOLK MAP Launched 26th February at the Hampshire Record Office. It features details of Hampshire traditional singers and their localities as well as other traditional events. TWYFORD CONCERT Sat 27th February. Twyford Village Hall. Organised by Paul Marsh of Forest Tracks. Evening Concert: featured The Madding Crowd tunes/songs, Geoff Jerram and Ron Coe and Craig-Morgan-Robson. Photo Exhibition in hall throughout the afternoon. A number of photos from two local people as well as those from the H.R.O. Harmony singing with Craig-Morgan-Robson in the afternoon. 13th March HAMPSHIRE SONGS at Westbury Manor Museum , Fareham 2-3pm. Rob Mills and Anne Winter. GOSPORT AND FAREHAM EASTER FESTIVAL There will be a Hampshire Songs Concert at 8pm on Sunday 4th April at Lysses Hotel. The Askew Sisters will headline and Anne Winter and Rob Mills in support. 13th April Steve Jordan Some Hampshire Songs at Nonsuch Folk Club, Bishops Waltham 22nd April AXFORD FIVE CONCERT St George's Day Event at Wildern School Hall, Hedge End 8pm. Craig-Morgan-Robson and the Askew Sisters. 15th May HAMPSHIRE SONGS SINGAROUND at Winchester Mayfest. Royal Oak 1.30-3.30pm. 18th September HAMPSHIRE SONGS CONCERT Petersfield Community Hall . Pitchpole Jack with Tangle and Anne Winter. 23rd October AXFORD 5 SHOW at Oxford 5th November HAMPSHIRE SONGS Geoff Jerram at the Village Folk Club, Catisfield .