Survey of English Dialects recording in Ellington, Northumberland. Survey of English Dialects recording in Binfield Heath, Oxfordshire

Side 1 is Ellington recording (12 Feb 1953). Side 2 is Binfield Heath recording (24 Feb 1953).[Side 1]Bob Levison describes working as farm worker aged 12 to 17, then working in mine for 40 years, compares working conditions now and in past, explains 'fore-shift' [= early shift] and 'back-shift' [= late shift], remembers hardship of eight month strike, brief anecdote about local character trying to rake moon out of pond. [Side 2] Bob and Charlie discuss local temperance speaker named Shepherd from Henley, Bob tells anecdote about farm worker asked to deliver hare but hare leapt out of hamper, Charlie recalls passionate sermon about dangers of drink by local clergyman at harvest festival and congregation hurrying away afterwards frightened to death, anecdote about local character Emmanuel Gibbs being turned out of chapel for fighting during prayers, Bob and Charlie reflect on testimonies of reformed drinkers.