Catalogue description Sound recording of Harry Cox of Catfield, Norfolk (b.1885) describing his childhood and beginning of his working life, c. 1885-1900. Tape 1.

This record is held by Birmingham: Archives, Heritage and Photography Service

Details of MS 4000/5/1/1/2
Reference: MS 4000/5/1/1/2
Title: Sound recording of Harry Cox of Catfield, Norfolk (b.1885) describing his childhood and beginning of his working life, c. 1885-1900. Tape 1.
Description:

Recording of interview by Charles Parker [and?] of Harry Cox (HC) of Norfolk (b.1885) describing his childhood and working life.

 

Track 1: Duration (min/sec): 0.17 Description of track: Tape test recording

 

Track 2: Duration (min/sec): 4.54 Description of track: HC talks about a 'man's pay' during mid 19th century of 10s a week once married (9s a week before marriage); his father was one of thirteen children as was HC; HC thought nothing of there being only 2 bedrooms to a family house; it cost 2p a week to send the children to school and his mother had to ask for assistance from the 'ladies up at Barton Hall' at Barton Turf just outside Broad Head as she could only afford to pay for four of them; HC was born at Broad Head; his father worked as a fisherman until he was older when he worked on the land

 

Track 3: Duration (min/sec): 2.02 Description of track: HC left school when he was 13½ years old; describes what they ate: bread and hot water for breakfast

 

Track 4: Duration (min/sec): 3.48 Description of track: HC's his first job was scaring rooks; when a little older he looked after bullocks in winter which he enjoyed for the rest of his working life; in summer he helped with the harvest, haymaking; HC compares the work by hand compared to the machinery available now; he liked the old way

 

Track 5: Duration (min/sec): 2.21 Description of track: began work in Thurgarton, near Cromer as the family had taken a farm there for 4 years where he finished his schooling; HC did not learn well at school and everything he learnt he taught himself once he had left

 

Track 6: Duration (min/sec): 1.08 Description of track: HC describes how parsons were looked upon with great respect in Barton village in 1880s and 1890s

 

Track 7: Duration (min/sec): 0.20 Description of track: briefly discusses his religious beliefs

 

Track 8: Duration (min/sec): 0.50 Description of track: describes the size of farms then which were between 150-200 acres with 4 or 5 men working on them; he never had a holiday (6 days) all his working life [tape stops abruptly]

 

Total duration (min/sec): 15.42

Date: 27 Oct 1958
Related material:

See also LC/BPL 15 listening cassette of Harry Cox of Catfield, Norfolk and MS 4000/3/9 for folk music lyrics, magazines and booklets.

Held by: Birmingham: Archives, Heritage and Photography Service, not available at The National Archives
Copies held at:

Original tape reel (the tape was originally accessioned as T32 and the dubbing reference number was 66/PLA)

 

NSA copy of CD-R serial number 2296 2217 2056

 

Archive master CD-R serial number 2296 2217 2057

Language: English
Physical condition: Listening copy: 1 x CD-R serial number CF129 K006 3774Original tape:Size: 5" tape reelGauge: 1/4" tape (0.625cm)Speed: 7.5ips (19cm/s);EQ Curve used: IECTrack configuration: Half Track StereoDubbing Date: 12/02Notes: Volume fluctuates

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