| Ref No | 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. |
| Level | File |
| Date | 27 October 1958 |
| 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 |
| 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. |
| Physical Description | Listening copy: 1 x CD-R serial number CF129 K006 3774
Original tape:
Size: 5" tape reel
Gauge: 1/4" tape (0.625cm)
Speed: 7.5ips (19cm/s);
EQ Curve used: IEC
Track configuration: Half Track Stereo
Dubbing Date: 12/02
Notes: Volume fluctuates |
| Access Status | Open |
| Language | English |