Gunnerside Gill

Subject: Gunnerside Gill
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Dec 00 - 08:37 AM

The title of this thread is a song by a North of England Folk group. Other songs include. Corpse Way, The Chapel at Keld and Cencus 1851. I heard one or more of the group were teachers from around Darlington. I loved all the songs they did on the one and only LP I ever heard. Anyone else heard of them?

Merry Christmas.

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: John J
Date: 20 Dec 00 - 11:34 AM

No, but by the names of the other songs you mentioned, it may be 'Gunnerside Ghyll'. Sorry i can't be any help. John

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: BanjoRay
Date: 21 Dec 00 - 06:15 AM

No, but Gunnerside Gill is a gorgeous walk off the north side of Swaledale in North Yorkshire, past some wonderful old lead mine ruins.
Cheers
Ray

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Dec 00 - 06:33 AM

Thanks Ray

The Lead Mines are referred to extensively in the songs of the group I speak of, as is Swaledale in general. I have a vague recollection that group may have been called Fourum. (Spelt that way).

Bill

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: GUEST,George
Date: 05 Apr 02 - 05:14 AM

Suspect, since this is an old topic, no one is interested any more but - I have a copy of the Fourum LP "Singing the Dales" with "Gunnerside Gill" on it... As far as I know they only produced the one LP but most who hear it like the songs. The group were four teachers and mainly sang songs about the Swaledale area. I can't remember all the details but if anyone is still interested I can probably get more info from the sleeve when I get home..

My daughter is interested in the score for Gunnerside Gill so I was just being lazy and looking for a midi file etc when I found this thread!

George

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Apr 02 - 06:28 AM

Thanks George

I started the thread. I was curious about what happened to the group. I was half hoping that one of the group might just see Mudcat, and perhaps I could get a copy of the tape from them, but no such luck.

I still can't believe that someone can write songs like that, and then just disappear.

I was with some friends in a very active folk group in New Guinea (would you believe) and we sang many of the songs from this album. One of the guys in the group brought the album back after his annual leave.

Here in deepest, darkest Western Australia, such music is hard to come by.

As an almost geriatric and private singer and guitarist I sing several of the songs still.

The songs bring back many happy memories for me.

Thanks for your response. Hope life is being good to you.

Regards BS

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: GUEST,George
Date: 05 Apr 02 - 06:48 AM

I met the group at a inn (Swinside I think) in swaledale some 16 years ago and got my LP direct from them. Even though Swaledale is only 40 miles or so up the road I have heard nothing of the group or their music since. I am intending copying the LP to CD some day (soon?) to preserve it. May be able to send you the odd track when I get round to putting it on the PC if you are interested.

George

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Apr 02 - 09:03 PM

George

It would be 16/17 year ago that we were doing their songs. If my memory is not playing tricks on me, then one song that we did as 'voices only', and called, "The Lancashire Hunting Song" was on that album. We were rather proud of our own rendition of this beautiful song.

If you ever get the album onto CD, I would love to have a copy. I have family in North Yorks and it would not be difficult to arrange. I mainly use a University computer (I live at the University) but it's Window NT and not very friendly to multimedia.

Thanks for the kind offer.

Regards

Bill

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: GUEST,George
Date: 10 Apr 02 - 04:39 AM

Bill, Sorry been away for long w/e. I'll try to get CD done in next few weeks. It won't be perfect of course as the LP is well played but definitely better than nothing! Maybe we should take this offline now as it does not appear to be of general interest and I can contact you direct when I have got something? [e-mail] George

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: Gillie
Date: 10 Apr 02 - 10:07 AM

Hi,

I remember Forum very well as as two of the group came from my home town of Barnard Castle in Co Durham. One was a guy called Pete Beresford, who as far as I know, is still teaching in the area. He used to run the Black Swan Folk Club in Staindrop in the seventies. I remember him singing Staindrop magical women's circle meet tonight" and "My grandmother's Rocking Chair" Not sure if he is still singing though.

Another of the group was Sandy Stills who is still teaching and sings and plays guitar and manolin with The Judith Haswell Band, a north east based group.

Hope this helps.

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: GUEST,George
Date: 10 Apr 02 - 11:47 AM

Gillie, At last some else who has heard of them! Do you know if they published any other material than their "Singing the Dales" LP/ Cassette? George

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: bobby's girl
Date: 10 Apr 02 - 02:07 PM

We also have the LP in a cupboard somewhere but I thought it was actually called 'Gunnerside Gill'. Whatever it was called, it was a great LP and we were sorry we never found anything else they did. We bought it in Swaledale about 25 - 30 years ago!

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: 53
Date: 10 Apr 02 - 06:19 PM

Any kin to Vince?

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: bradfordian
Date: 10 Apr 02 - 07:25 PM

Guest, George. Does the LP have on it a song titled "SWALEDALE" on it? The chorus is as follows:-
In that beautiful dale, home of the swale
How well do I love thee, how well do I love thee
Beatiful dale, home of the swale
Beatiful, beatiful dale
I have just obtained the words from an associate and would like to get hold of the music for it.
Or if anyone else in the north UK knows of it, and can provide some info.
regards Bradfordian

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: GUEST,George
Date: 11 Apr 02 - 04:54 AM

Bradfordian, Can't remember the words for certain but they sound very familiar and I think the "The Swaledale song" is the one you want. I'm not at home so can't check.

Details from my LP are: 'Singing the Dales' by Fourum Guardian Music Co GRC95

Fourum are (were) a group of four Darlington based teachers Allen Miller Bob Hattersley Sandy Still Jim Jack

The tracks:- The Swaledale song, Semerwater, Isabella Beaufort, Corpse way, Swaledale air, Askrigg fair

Gunnerside gill - remembered, Census 1851, The chapel at Keld, Song to Hannah Hauxwell, (Farewell to) The old gang, The drummer of Richmond

Words and Music by K A Miller Copyright KAM Music)

George

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: greg stephens
Date: 11 Apr 02 - 05:38 AM

bradfordian: I have loved that Swaledale song ever sice I hard the great yorkshire singer Martin Cummins do it years and years ago. He is also a Bradfordian, though long exiled in leicestershire. If you fail to locate the tune, send me a PM and I'll put you in touch with him...I cant rememberall the tune myself.

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: Gillie
Date: 11 Apr 02 - 05:42 AM

Guest George,

I far I know Forum only did the one L.P. I know that Pete Beresford used to stand in if one of the members was usable to make a gig.

Good band with very lisenable songs

Regards

Gillie

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: greg stephens
Date: 11 Apr 02 - 05:44 AM

Bradfordian: it also occurs to me that you mightwant a nice fiddle tune called "The Banks of the Swale", in case you play an appropriate instrument and want to put a little set tgether.Get in touch if so.

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Apr 02 - 07:06 AM

Hi!

The verse of the Swaledale song by Fourum goes:

So flow river flow, wind your gentle way I love the dales, I love the Swale, in Swaledale I will stay.

Beautilful, beautiful song about the area. Makes me very nostalgic siting here in deepest Western Aussie. (Much as I love it)

Bill

PS Do you want me to hum it for you?????

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Apr 02 - 07:38 AM

George

My email is [e-mail]

I would be delighted to hear from you ofline, but it is amazing what will turn up in this forum.

This wasn't the first time that I tried to find out something about Fourum. I tried on Mudcat ages before this thread and it just died.

Now someone knows them and suddenly we have names and members of the group.

Thanks George Thanks Gillie

Any more infor will be appreciated.

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: red max
Date: 11 Dec 04 - 01:16 PM

MANY thanks to the Catter who sent me a tape of the Gunnerside Gill album. For what it's worth, some of the song titles are the same as those listed above, with a few different ones like Dead Man's Hill

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Jul 10 - 03:49 PM

Fourum still alive and kicking after 38 years! Great to see the interest - thanks. We are not the Fourum which you will find if you Google 'Fourum'. Three concerts in the offing in the Darlington area and plans for a double album of Dales songs in the next two months. Can respond to queries having dicovered this thread - Jim from Fourum

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: GUEST,JIM
Date: 29 Jul 10 - 04:09 PM

Current Fourum line-up is still Allen Miller ( writer - guitar, psaltery, dulcimer and vocals); Sandy Still (guitar, banjo, mandolin and vocals); Bob Hattersley (research and maps, percussion and vocals); Jim Jack (photos, guitar, accordion, mandolin and vocals) and Rod Hall (double bass, mandolin, guitar, banjo, fiddle). Allen has written nearly 50 songs about the legends, folk-lore, history and life of mainly Swaledale, with odd diversions into Teesdale and Wensleydale. Previous members include Dave Smith ( 1972 - 1976) Tom Cowley and Bob Smedley (1975 - 77) Malcolm Dawson (1977 - 79) but sadly not Pete Beresford. Having all now finished full time work, planning to bring the best of the songs together in a 30 song double CD as well as produce a book with the lyrics, music an dhistorical background with maps, photos and artwork. Produced 3 vinyl LPs ('FOurum'; Gunnerside Gill- Remembered' and 'singing the Dales' followed by two cassettes 'Dales - Revisited' and a live recording - Fourum in Concert. Finally 'Singing the Dales' re-released as a CD and a new album 'Making of Swaledale' on CD in mid 1990s. All now sold out - many requests and a wish that the songs recording our area history can 'live on' has prompted this burst of energy!! Really nice to know of the interest - we just potter away up here enjoying singing! JIM

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 30 Jul 10 - 05:04 AM

Jim, did you ever play at the pub in Gunnerside in the early 70s. A group of us used to go up there from south of Bradford quite often, and wild camp up Gunnerside Ghyll. I recall seeing a band at the pub there in probably '72/ '73 playing mainly songs relating to local places, and wonder whether it was you?

I think we were fairly reckless youngsters back then...we used to explore the mine workings up the ghyll. I remember a huge bronze engine being in one of them and speculating on the possibility of getting it out. We never tried, but we did, one trip, dig out the remains of an ore tub from the beck and managed to get it back down to the village. I think we upset the manager of the museum in Reeth when he saw us taking it home with us in one of the lads' dad's van.

I still feel vaguely guilty about removing industrial heritage from the area, but we were only aged 15-18 at the time.

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: GUEST,JIM
Date: 24 Aug 10 - 06:08 PM

Good to hear from you, Rob. Don't think we did at that time.. there were a couple of bands - the Dalesfolk and one involving Mick Sheehan - who were already singing at that time.. We had just started and were tending to do private functions at that time with the line-up we had. It was only when Sandy Still joined us in about 1978-9 that we sang in more traditional folk settings. Digging the ore tub out sounds like a fair achievement. Where is it now, I wonder? You will know that there has not been a great deal of development of the display of mining history in the area other than at the folk museum at Reeth up to now.

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: Leadfingers
Date: 24 Aug 10 - 06:34 PM

Census 1851 would seem to be one of the songs I MAY hear on Thursday from Mike Nicholson . I'll ask him about Authorship - It OUGHT to be Allan Miller ??

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 24 Aug 10 - 06:39 PM

Pity it wasn't you, Jim. It was definitely no later than 1973 and most likely '72.

Digging the tub out was the easy part...getting it back to the road was harder. It helped when we managed to free up the wheels :-) . Last I heard it was still in the scout hut of the Birkenshaw scout troop. That was some years ago though.

We were venture scouts loosely attached to Birkenshaw at the time, but not really welcomed by them. We were pretty-well mavericks. We called ourselves the "Hades" unit and painted it in big white letters on an old army-surplus bell tent. Scandalised the District Commissioner by going on mixed camping trips with a group of Ranger guides and sleeping in the same tents (only some of us were in the same bags). They disbaneded us in the end because our activities were "not in the spirit of Scouting" but we carried on as a group anyway, just not as scouts/guides (the Rangers left, too). Ah, them were t' days!

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 25 Aug 10 - 04:09 AM

Spot on! This was one of the early songs which Allen wrote in the late 1970s and is based upon the fact that the 1851 census was the first to require the disclosing of occupation. The family in the song existed; only bit of poetic licence was that 'age - near 55' was the best way to get a rhyme. Subject was actually 51.

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: Leadfingers
Date: 25 Aug 10 - 07:11 AM

Thanks for confirmation Jim ! When the CD is ready , let us know in here - And Joining is free and means that you can send and receive Personal Messages with other members !

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: GUEST,Ex-Hummersknott
Date: 11 Sep 10 - 08:15 AM

Jim -- I was reminiscing about FOURUM with an ex-Hummersknott friend a couple of weeks ago. You mentioned concerts. Is there any way to find out about these? (Neither of us live in Darlington now, but we do get back now and again.)

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: GUEST,Jim Jack
Date: 26 Sep 10 - 08:53 AM

Sorry only just picked this up. Next concert is in Ravensworth Village Hall (just off A66 & 8 mi west of Scotch Corner) on 9th October 2010 7.30 start. Some new Dales stuff on offer that night. Recording for new CD on 5th October; web-site in production - fourumfolk.com - probably up and running by end of October. It is mudcat cafe and this thread which has prompted this activity. Nice but slightly embarassing to know of the interest - we just sing for the fun of it!!

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: GUEST,RWJ
Date: 26 Sep 10 - 11:52 AM

Singing for the fun of it is what it is all about, should be the only reason.

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: GUEST,Chris
Date: 29 Sep 10 - 05:48 AM

Jim, I would love to buy the new cd when it goes on sale.Can you let me know when and where it can be purchased.
thanks,
Chris

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Jan 11 - 02:21 PM

It was great to read all the messages about Fourum! I bought their tape, 'Singing the Dales' years and years ago and every word of every song IS Swaledale!

Annie who has adopted the Dales even though she comes from the South!

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: GUEST,rmccormick
Date: 11 Feb 11 - 05:43 PM

I saw this group when I was at Bishop Lonsdale College Derby in 1976. They were absolutely brilliant. I had their LP with Gunnerside Gill and Haanah Hauxwell. Would love to hear it again.

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: Spleen Cringe
Date: 11 Feb 11 - 07:07 PM

Just picked up a copy of "Singing the Dales" on eBay. There are some great tracks on the album! If Jim or anyone else from the group are still reading this thread, do you fancy getting in touch with me via the contact page of my new Lost Folk Tapes website for an interview for an article? I've been looking for you unsuccessfully via the internet.

Cheers

Spleen/Nigel

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: 12barblues
Date: 12 Feb 11 - 11:17 AM

The website is http://www.fourumfolk.co.uk i.e. with a "dot co dot uk" tag, rather than the "dot com" mentioned in an earlier post.

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: Spleen Cringe
Date: 12 Feb 11 - 11:22 AM

Thanks 12BB!

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: GUEST,fourumjim
Date: 10 Oct 11 - 09:10 AM

Allen has posted a video of the song on our recently established web-site www.fourumfolk.co.uk. 3 CD compilation of all Dales songs will be available by mid-November.

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: GUEST,fourumjim
Date: 18 Jun 12 - 05:23 PM

3CD set -the Dales Collection of all Fourum dales songs now available via www.fourumfolk.co.uk. Fortieth anniversary concerts coming up on22nd June (HUmmeRSKNOTT aCADEMY, dARLINGTON) and 21st September Georgian THeatre Royal, Richmond N Yorks.

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: GUEST,RWJ
Date: 19 Jun 12 - 01:35 PM

only know you from mne LP, i think it was Gunnerside Gyll Rememberd. Enjoyed it, nice to know that you are still   performing !!

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: Gillie
Date: 20 Jun 12 - 02:45 AM

I've ordered the box set Ron! Yes, it's good to know that they are still performing.

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Sep 12 - 05:17 PM

Singing at Tan Hill 4th Sept c 7.00 p.m. for an hour; on Reeth Green on 8th September c 3.00 p.m. for an hour and Georgian Theatre for 40th anniversary concert on 21st Sept

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: JHW
Date: 03 Sep 12 - 05:16 PM

There was a GROUP called Gunnerside Gill way back when. Anyone remember who they were?

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: Gillie
Date: 04 Sep 12 - 02:46 AM

It's the same one John. Founded in 1972, Dave Smith, Tom Cowley and Malcolm Dawson joined and left and in 1978 Sandy Stills joined with Allen Miller, Bob Hattersley and Jim Jack to form the present group who are still going.

Subject: RE: Gunnerside Gill
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 05:37 PM

Did you see Fourum on ITV's the Dales last Monday 27 June - a sighting at Tan Hill and Richmond's Georgian THeatre? Still around.