As I write this Cecil Sharp mania is sweeping the country. Preparations for the Conference and the Festival
in Hambridge are now well in hand. Eddie has relaxed a few degrees now that his major event at
Sidmouth ‘Celebrating the South-West’ has been performed to his relief and to the obvious enjoyment of
the participants and audience. The performance included, as well as choral pieces and music from Cecil
Sharp, a 30 minute performance, Fanfare for the South West’ written by Gina Le Faux based on six Cecil
Sharp songs. If you missed the show in Sidmouth then you can see ‘Fanfare’ again in Hambridge on Aug
24th
Then there is the book ‘Still Growing’, which has now been published by EFDSS. It contains 50 songs
compiled and edited by Steve Roud, Effie Upton and Malcolm Taylor. Shirley Collins has contributed a
Preface, and David Atkinson a bibliography. Additional research has been done by Bob and Jacqueline
Patten and other TSF members. Vic Gammon has contributed a concise, but comprehensive analysis of
Sharp’s life and work and there is a note on Charles Marson by David Sutcliffe. The presentation of the
songs is linked to biographical details of the singers themselves and includes a wonderful selection of
photographs. There are not enough good books of songs around – this production sets a new standard for
others to follow.
As if this were not enough, you can hear Malcolm Taylor exploring the significance of Sharp’s ‘Hambridge
moment’ in a radio 4 programme called ‘The Seeds of Love’ at 13:30on Tuesday 26th August.
