Survey of English Dialects recording in Bream, Gloucestershire

Audio (Survey of English Dialects recording in Bream, Gloucestershire)
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Audio (Survey of English Dialects recording in Bream, Gloucestershire)
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Original object type: Artefact
Title: Survey of English Dialects recording in Bream, Gloucestershire
Description:
[Side 1] Frank talks about wages in mine in past, recalls iron ore mine at Oakwood Mill, discusses child labour at colliery and explains 'tally' system [= payment according to number of boxes of cargo transported], recalls starting work at mine aged 12 driving ponies or turning 'tongues' [= points/junction on underground tram railway], describes conditions underground incl. method of ventilation and danger of 'afterdamp' [= toxic gases in mine following explosion]. [Side 2] Frank talks about pasturing and mining rights in Forest of Dean incl. Bledisloe (Lydney Park) Estate, memories of miners' gala in past, mentions prominent speakers at Speech House (Coleford) incl. Hannen Swaffer and Sir Stafford Cripps, discusses lack of miners' welfare in past, explains Free Miner's Rights for natives of St Briavels Hundred and right to claim annual royalties from mines at Speech House, recalls families keeping pigs and growing own food to overcome hardship, comments enjoyed camaraderie of mines.
Date range: 12 Dec 1955
Date: 1955