Charles Parker Conference Bournemouth

Subject: Charles Parker Conference Bournemouth
From: GUEST,Fred McCormick
Date: 04 Apr 06 - 02:52 PM

Sorry about this folks. I meant to post the following about a week ago and just plain forgot. Anyway, the University of Bournemouth, Media Studies Department hosts a conference for Charles Parker, producer of the radio ballads, every year on the anniversary of his birth. The next one is on this Friday, 7 April 2006 at the Hotel Miramar, Bournemouth and the agenda is as follows:-

10.30        Coffee

11.00        Sean Street
        Welcome and Introduction

11.15         Gillian Reynolds and Sian Roberts
         The Charles Parker Archive, and the Connecting Histories Project

11.45        Ken Hall:
        Before and After the Radio Ballads: A look at Parker's work in regional radio features, 1949-57, how it influenced the Radio Ballads, and the effect of the Ballad style on his subsequent work

12.15         Sean Street
        Tales from Pigeon Inlet – Vernacular radio and social history in Newfoundland

12.45         Lunch

14.00        Graeme Miles
         Working with Charles Parker

14.30        Kate MCall
        The Ballad of Norman Corwin – a look at the work of the legendary American producer

15.00        Sara Parker and John Tams
        Voices of the People 2006: the evolution of the Radio Ballad 50 years on.

16.00         Tea.

16.15        Andy Cartwright
         "Then – Now" – spontaneous experience into radio poem.

16.45         Simon Elmes
        The Charles Parker Prize 2006

17.00         Close

For further information, or to confirm attendance, contact Sandie rose on 01202 595360 or [e-mail].

Once again, apologies for the late posting. But if anyone from this forum makes it, I'll be glad to let them buy me a pint.

Cheers,

Fred McCormick.

Subject: RE: Charles Parker Conference Bournemouth
From: greg stephens
Date: 04 Apr 06 - 03:41 PM

Well, thanks for that information, though it's a bit late to make use of,alas. Maybe next year?
I actually worked for Charles Parker briefly in the 60's, going out and finding singers and then recording them for him. And very interestin g it was too.

Subject: RE: Charles Parker Conference Bournemouth
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 04 Apr 06 - 05:41 PM

Fred - if you don't have to rush home, Friday is also the start of a folk song festival - the weekend's Bournemouth Voice Tour, based at the Bourne Hall Hotel, 14 Priory Road, West Cliff, BH2 5DG. And John Connolly is the guest at Wimborne Acoustic, the Mount, Corfe Mullen on Saturday evening.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Charles Parker Conference Bournemouth
From: GUEST,Fred McCormick
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 03:44 AM

Hi Greg,

Sounds like you ought to be there. I'll try and remember in time for next year, but Bournemouth Uni do tend be remiss about sending information out. I'd suggest you email Sandie Rose about a month beforehand.

Subject: RE: Charles Parker Conference Bournemouth
From: GUEST,Fred McCormick
Date: 09 Apr 06 - 04:47 AM

Finally got back to base, tired but happy. I'm glad to report that a grand event was had by all, with a lot of interesting items, especially Kate MacCall's paper on Norman Corwin, and Graeme Miles' memories of working with Parker.

I'm also glad to report that next year's conference will be in Birmingham, where Parker worked for many years, on March 30th. The venue is unknown to me at present, but will be announced on the Charles Parker website (http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/charlesparkerarchive.bcc) in the fullness of time.

I should also mention that Kate MacCall is working on a programme about Corwin, to be broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Archive Hour series (Saturdays 20-00 hrs) in the near future.

If, like me, you had to search around to recall the name, Corwin was a radio producer who was particularly famed for the folk cantatas Lonesome Train and Ballad For Americans. They of course were one of the prime inspirations for the making of the radio ballads.