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First meeting and Sharp and Neal
Christopher Chaundy, William Kimber, Theo Chaundy Recorded at Theo Chaundy's house, 62 Iffley Road, Oxford, 1956Present: William Kimber, Mabel Stace, Charlie Jones, Jim Phillips, Theo Chaundy, Hilda Chaundy (wife of TC), Christopher Chaundy, Jennifer...
Working with Sharp and getting the sack
William Kimber, Theo Chaundy, Hilda Chaundy    Recorded at Theo Chaundy's house, 62 Iffley Road, Oxford, 1956Present: William Kimber, Mabel Stace, Charlie Jones, Jim Phillips, Theo Chaundy, Hilda Chaundy (wife of TC), Christopher Chaundy,...
Esperance and the dispute
William Kimber Recorded at Theo Chaundy's house, 62 Iffley Road, Oxford, 1956Present: William Kimber, Mabel Stace, Charlie Jones, Jim Phillips, Theo Chaundy, Hilda Chaundy (wife of TC), Christopher Chaundy, Jennifer Churchill (future wife of CC)
Quarry places and families
Wiliam Kimber et al Recorded at Theo Chaundy's house, 62 Iffley Road, Oxford, 1956 Present: William Kimber, Mabel Stace, Charlie Jones, Jim Phillips, Theo Chaundy, Hilda Chaundy (wife of TC), Christopher Chaundy, Jennifer Churchill (future wife of CC)
EFDS and teaching
William Kimber Recorded at Theo Chaundy's house, 62 Iffley Road, Oxford, 1956; a few days after Tape 54A/B.
Cessation of dancing and revival
William Kimber William Kimber at home, Merryville, St Ann’s Road, Headington, 16 June 1959, with Theo Chaundy, Christopher Chaundy
The dance "Baccapipes" (tune) and friendship with William Kimber
Loveless describes the dance "Baccapipes" before going on to discuss his friendship with William Kimber
Sharp and Kimber's accuracy (1)
William Kimber Recorded at Theo Chaundy's house, 62 Iffley Road, Oxford, 1956; a few days after Tape 54A/B.
Golden Gloves
Golden Gloves - talk, tune, and song. Performed by William Kimber. Recorded at Theo Chaundy's house, 62 Iffley Road, Oxford, 1956Present: William Kimber, Mabel Stace, Charlie Jones, Jim Phillips, Theo Chaundy, Hilda Chaundy (wife of TC), Christopher...
Extract from EFDSS minutes 7th July
Extract from EFDSS Minutes (7 Jul 1936) re Cecil Sharp copyright, potential impact of sale of Cecil Sharp copyright to EFDSS on folk dance movement, re-collecting and William Kimber's grievances.
'Back to the Quarry'
This website was created as part of the 'Back to the Quarry' project (BTTQ), by Folk Arts Oxford, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The aim of BTTQ was to explore the musical history of William Kimber and his family, and share the story with the...
Letter from Maud Karpeles to Tony Wales
Letter from [Maud Karpeles] to Tony Wales (1 Nov 1974) re Wales' retirement from EFDSS, his continued editorship of 'English Dance and Song' and the submission by Karpeles of a letter to the editor to be published in 'English Dance and Song'. Includes...
Copy of short hand notes (Cecil Sharp)
Copy of short hand notes taken at Headington Oct 24th 1910 by Miss Neal & Co.
Index of the Cecil Sharp Manuscript Collection
Index of the Cecil Sharp manuscript collection at Clare College, Cambridge.
Work life of Kimber and his father
William Kimber, Theo Chaundy William Kimber at home, Merryville, St Ann’s Road, Headington, 16 June 1959, with Theo Chaundy, Christopher Chaundy
Sharp as musician and collector
William Kimber Recorded at Theo Chaundy's house, 62 Iffley Road, Oxford, 1956; a few days after Tape 54A/B.
The Triumph (Step and Fetch Her)
The Triumph (Step and Fetch Her)
29th of May
To return to the list of morris tunes, click on 'Morris Tune Notations' in the menu on the right. Click on the links below to view and download the music you need: Melody (key of C)Melody (key of Bb)Melody (bass clef) Accompaniment (key of...
Tom Tower and Magdalen Tower
Performed by William Kimber, Theo Chaudy and Hilda Chaundy Recorded at Theo Chaundy's house, 62 Iffley Road, Oxford, 1956Present: William Kimber, Mabel Stace, Charlie Jones, Jim Phillips, Theo Chaundy, Hilda Chaundy (wife of TC), Christopher Chaundy,...
Expression in Dance by Mark E Perugini
'Expression in Dance' by Mark E Perugini. From 'The Dancing Times', February 1920.
Statement Re Mr. Kimber and the Headington Morris
Statement Re Mr. Kimber and the Headington Morris
Notes about Morris, Maypole, Broom, Frog and Kibby Dances. Also the Wrastling Crib.
Notes about Morris, Maypole, Broom, Frog and Kibby Dances. Also the Wrastling Crib.
Whittle and dub
William Kimber Recorded at Theo Chaundy's house, 62 Iffley Road, Oxford, 1956; a few days after Tape 54A/B.
Riots and Fires
William Kimber Recorded at Theo Chaundy's house, 62 Iffley Road, Oxford, 1956; a few days after Tape 54A/B.
I'll Go And Enlist For A Sailor (tune)
Loveless plays "I'll Go Enlist For A Sailor" from the village of Sherborne
The Full English records - correspondence
A selection of records from The Full English archive, relating to correspondence with or about William Kimber, and Headington Quarry Morris. Please browse using the menu on the right, or search using the box in the top right of the page.
The Full English records - tunes & songs
A selection of records from The Full English archive, with tune notations and song lyrics from the Headington Quarry area. Please browse using the menu on the right, or search using the box in the top right of the page.
The Full English records - notes & writings
A selection of records from The Full English archive, with various notes, writings, and articles, relating to Kimber, Morris, and Headington Quarry. Please browse using the menu on the right, or search using the box in the top right of the page.
Headington map
The children from Wood Farm were really excited to discover that Kimber was born in a cottage only a couple of minutes walk from their school. They were also fascinated by the fact that he was a builder, and built houses for himself to live in as well...
Old Mother Oxford
To return to the list of morris tunes, click on 'Morris Tune Notations' in the menu on the right. Click on the links below to view and download the music you need: Melody (key of C)Melody (key of Bb)Melody (bass clef) Accompaniment (key of...
Letter from Maud Karpeles to Douglas Kennedy 22-7-38
Letter from Maud Karpeles to 'Douglas' [Douglas Kennedy] (22 Jul 1938) re Karpeles' attendance at [EFDSS] staff conference and response to suggestion that William Kimber's insistance on the accuracy of Cecil Sharp's notation of the Headington tunes and...
Letter from William Kimber to Maud Karpeles 30-10-33
Letter from William Kimber to Maud Karpeles (30 Oct 1933) re lack of contact from EFDS [EFDSS] following his visit to London on 6 Dec 1932 and concerns for the end of his Morris dancing career.
Letter from Maud Karpeles to Rolf Gardiner
Letter from [Maud Karpeles] to Henry Rolf Gardiner (12 Dec 1962) re disagreements with Gardiner's address to the Cambridge Morris Men relating to Cecil Sharp's opinion of women and Morris dancing, declining standard of songs and dances with reference...
Letter from Douglas Kennedy to Maud Karpeles 25-7-38
Letter from [Douglas Kennedy] to Maud Karpeles (25 Jul 1938) disputing Kennedy's supposed suggestion that William Kimber's insistance on the accuracy of Cecil Sharp's notation of the Headington tunes and dances was influenced by Karpeles [see MK/5/86]...
Letter from Maud Karpeles to William Kimber 29-1-38
Letter from [Maud Karpeles] to William Kimber (29 Jan 1938) re assurance that Kimber's insistance on the correctness of [Cecil Sharp's notation of] the Headington tunes and dances will be noted and kept for future reference.
Letter from Francis Fryer to Mary Neal
Letter from Francis Fryer to Mary Neal, 1 Mar 1938, re The revival of Abingdon Morris and the search for traditional dances.
Suggest Content
{onecol} Upload your own photos or videos, and tell us about your own memories of Kimber or Headington Quarry.
Country Gardens (tune, discussion)
Talk and tune, William Kimber, Christopher Chaundy Recorded at Theo Chaundy's house, 62 Iffley Road, Oxford, 1956Present: William Kimber, Mabel Stace, Charlie Jones, Jim Phillips, Theo Chaundy, Hilda Chaundy (wife of TC), Christopher Chaundy, Jennifer...
William Kimber's concertina
Loveless discusses the concertina that was bequeathed to him by William Kimber, and how Kimber came to own it.
The speed of jigs
Loveless discusses the speed jigs should be danced and played
Remembering tunes
Loveless talks about playing by memory and the oral tradition
Letter from Mary Neal to Clive Carey
Letter from Mary Neal to Clive Carey, 2 Oct 1910, re, Visit from a fiddler and Geoffrey Tote. Neal asks Carey to accompany her on visit to cousin Kimber to notate dance steps, which are to be relayed to Cecil Sharp.
Letter from Maud Karpeles to Frank Howes
Letter from [Maud Karpeles] to Frank Howes (3 Jun 1939) re disagreement with EFDSS policy with reference to Cecil Sharp copyright, EFDSS membership and social aspect of country dancing.
Letter from Kenworthy Schofield to Maud Karpeles
Letter from Kenworthy Schofield to Maud Karpeles (21 July 1938) re discussion relating to dances of Headington Morris and plea for Karpeles to attend [EFDSS] staff conference.
Letter from William Kimber to Maud Karpeles 14-6-29
Letter from William Kimber to Maud Karpeles (14 Jun 1929) re acceptance of invitation to attend [the laying of the foundation stone at Cecil Sharp House] and Kimber's work as a bricklayer.
Letter from Maud Karpeles to William Kimber 3-6-39
Letter from [Maud Karpeles] to William Kimber (3 Jun 1939) re Karpeles' work preserving Cecil Sharp's legacy and thanks for Kimber's loyalty to Sharp.
Letter from Maud Karpeles to William Kimber 22-1-38
Letter from [Maud Karpeles] to William Kimber (22 Jan 1938) re enjoyment of seeing Kimber recently and suggestion that Kimber write down his memories of Cecil Sharp's collecting.
Letter from Maud Karpeles to Kenworthy Schofield
Letter from [Maud Karpeles] to Kenworthy Schofield (23 July 1938) re discussion relating to dances of Headington Morris and decision not to attend [EFDSS] staff conference.
Letter from William Kimber to Maud Karpeles 26-8-31
Letter from William Kimber to Maud Karpeles (26 Aug 1931) re the death of Kimber's parents, Kimber's father's contribution to Cecil Sharp's work and opinions of Mary Neal.
Letter from Douglas Kennedy to Maud Karpeles 20-7-38
Letter from [Douglas Kennedy] to Maud Karpeles (20 Jul 1938) re Karpeles' membership of [EFDSS] teaching staff and Board of Examiners and Kennedy's thoughts relating to alterations to Headington dances and information from William Kimber.
Letter from Maud Karpeles to Anne Gilchrist
Letter from [Maud Karpeles] to Anne Geddes Gilchrist (12 April 1930) re criticism and request for alteration and/or omission of Gilchrist's article in the EFDS News, collecting and publication of Headington dances with reference to the Board of...
Education Resources
Linked from the menu on the right of this page you'll find a collection of resources which you can use to carry our a local history project in your school - or if you prefer you can just pick and choose a few activities to try! Click here to try a...
The Loveless recordings
The Reverend Kenneth Loveless (1911-1995), Area Dean of Hackney, morris dancer and musician, got to know William Kimber and became his pupil on the concertina. When Kimber died, he left Loveless the concertina which had been bought for him by public...
Welcome to Merryville.uk - the online home of William Kimber
This website is an online archive of material relating to William Kimber, a morris dancer and concertina player from Headington Quarry. It was created as part of the 'Back to the Quarry' project by Folk Arts Oxford, funded by the Heritage Lottery...
Postcard from Mark Cox
Post card from Mark Cox
Letter from Maud Karpeles to Douglas Kennedy 16-7-38
Letter from Maud Karpeles to Douglas Kennedy (16 Jul 1938) re Karpeles' membership of [EFDSS] teaching staff and Board of Examiners, [EFDSS] staff conference and enclosed documents relating to alterations to Headington dances and information from...
The Full English records
The Full English is a digital resource bringing together many of the major folk music collections in the United Kingdom and beyond. This selection from it contains all the material in it relating to Kimber and Headington Quarry. It includes relevant...
The Chaundy Collection
In 1956 Theo Chaundy (a mathematics don at Christ Church and a morris dancer with the Oxford University Morris Men) bought a tape recorder and invited William Kimber to his home to talk about morris dancing, along with his fellow dancers Jim Phillips...
Collections
Back to the Quarry brings together several important collections, in some cases making them available for the first time. As you browse through the collections you have the opportunity to comment on them and to add your own memories or thoughts. We're...
Quick Activities
Here are a few of the suggested activities in this topic - please download the full Teacher's Pack for more info, background, discussion topics, and curriculum links. 1) Play Chinese Whispers, to show how something can be changed through passing on...
BTTQ Education workshops
As part of the 'Back to the Quarry' project, we carried out some workshops at two primary schools in the Headington area: Wood Farm Primary School (situated a couple of minutes walk from the house which Kimber was born in) and Windmill Primary School...
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Newspaper Cutting 1899, Morris Dancers
Newspaper cutting, [1899]. "Morris Dancing at the Oxford Corn Exchange : an interesting and novel exhibition."
Headington Play text
Headington Play text
Horton Cum Studley, Oxon. Morris
Horton Cum Studley, Oxon. Morris
My Pretty Little Blue-eyed Maid (song)
Performed by William Kimber Recorded at Theo Chaundy's house, 62 Iffley Road, Oxford, 1956Present: William Kimber, Mabel Stace, Charlie Jones, Jim Phillips, Theo Chaundy, Hilda Chaundy (wife of TC), Christopher Chaundy, Jennifer Churchill (future wife...
My Pretty Little Blue-eyed Maid - tags
songs "My Pretty Little Blue-eyed Maid" "Quaker's Wife"
Newspaper Cutting
Here follows a newspaper cutting from Jackson's Oxford Journal, Saturday March 18th 1899.
Letter from William Kimber to Maud Karpeles 27-1-38
Letter from William Kimber to Maud Karpeles (27 Jan 1938) re memories of meeting Cecil Sharp, Kimber's role as the sole source for Sharp's notation and insistance that Sharp's notation of the Headington tunes and dances is correct and is traditional.
Letter from William Kimber to Maud Karpeles 24-4-32
Letter from William Kimber to Maud Karpeles (24 Apr 1932) re hearing [Cecil Sharp's] tunes on the radio, the arrangement and attribution of songs and memories of playing and dancing for Cecil Sharp.
Extract by Maud Karpeles from letter
Extract by Maud Karpeles from letter from William Kimber to Maud Karpeles (27 Jan 1938) re Kimber's role as the sole source for Sharp's notation and insistance that Sharp's notation of the Headington tunes and dances is correct and is traditional.
Takedown policy
{onecol} We have made every effort to ensure that the material on the BTTQ website does not infringe anyone’s rights or any applicable laws. Most of the content is in the public domain or is provided under a Creative Commons Attribution...
Golden Gloves - tags
"Sophia Kimber" "Golden Gloves" "Three Old Ladies" "Black Diamond Minstrels"

 

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