Friday 15 February 2008

Show and Tell Friday over at Kelli's

Show and Tell



This Widecombe Fair tea set and cider mug are very special to me. I haven't had them a long time, and as per usual, I found them at a Car Boot Sale. They came dearer than usual, but were still a good buy. I "had" to have them. My dad's side of the family are of West Country stock - our Devon roots go back to time immemorial, hence these pieces being so special to me. (If you double-click, you will see them more clearly). Widecombe is a village in the heart of Dartmoor - a very pretty little village too - and Widecombe Fair is synonymous with Devon. It still takes place each year in September. Here is a link to the site so you can satisfy your curiosity: http://www.widecombe-in-the-moor.com/wid_fair/widecombe_fair.php

Below are the words to the well-known folk song about Uncle Tom Cobley - the design on my china is of course, Uncle Tom Cobley and all! I've included a few more links of interest.


Many stories are told about Widecombe (true and apocryphal) and some of the more interesting will be told on this page.

Uncle Tom Cobley

Lightning Strikes the Church and Satan Visits!

Jay's Grave

Some extracts from John Webber's Poems.

Uncle Tom Cobley

This Widecombe Fair Poem and Folk Song describes the 'adventures' of Uncle Tom Cobley and his friends and the fate that befell the poor old grey mare that they borrowed from Tom Pearce.

It is based on a supposedly true happening and you can visit Tom Cobley's grave at Spreyton, just north of Dartmoor.

"Tom Pearce, Tom Pearce, lend me your grey mare,

All along, down along, out along, lee,

For I want for to go to Widecombe Fair,

With Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney,

Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke,

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all,

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all."

"And when shall I see again my grey mare?"

All along, down along, out along, lee,

"By Friday soon, or Saturday noon,

With Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney,

Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke,

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all,

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all."

So they harnessed and bridled the old grey mare

All along, down along, out along, lee,

And off they drove to Widecombe fair,

With Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney,

Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke,

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all,

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all."

Then Friday came, and Saturday noon,

All along, down along, out along, lee,

But Tom Pearces old mare hath not trotted home,

With Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney,

Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke,

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all,

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all."

So Tom Pearce he got up to the top o' the hill

All along, down along, out along, lee,

And he seed his old mare down a-making her will,

With Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney,

Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke,

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all,

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all."

So Tom Pearce's old mare, her took sick and died,

All along, down along, out along, lee,

And Tom he sat down on a stone, and he cried

With Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney,

Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke,

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all,

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all."

But this isn't the end o' this shocking affair,

All along, down along, out along, lee,

Nor, though they be dead, of the horrid career

Of Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney,

Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke,

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all,

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all."

When the wind whistles cold on the moor of the night

All along, down along, out along, lee,

Tom Pearce's old mare doth appear gashly white,

With Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney,

Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke,

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all,

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all."

And all the long night he heard skirling and groans,

All along, down along, out along, lee,

From Tom Pearce's old mare in her rattling bones,

With Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney,

Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke,

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all,

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all."

16 comments:

Hootin Anni said...

Ya, if I were you, I would have had to have them too. Thanks for sharing these, they're truly works of art, aren't they?


My Show N Tell is shared. Hope you can drop by for a few minutes' visit today.

Tracy said...

I love the blue and white!

Anita said...

Me too, I like like the white and blue of your tea set, they look so special indeed!

Thank a lot for your comment on my S&T. How do I get the photos on the heart? Well, it's not that difficult, have a look at this link here, it's called "Injet printing on fabric". All you need is an inkjet printer ans some freezer paper!

http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/imagefabric.html

Don't hesitate to drop me a line if you need more information!

Best wishes, Anita

Barbara H. said...

I just love that kind of thing with that shade of blue with white figures. Lovely!

Barbara H. @ Stray Thoughts

Cheryl said...

Beautiful! That shade of blue is lovely... like a Tiffany box!

Susan said...

I am very partical to blue. Lovely.
Susan

Bovey Belle said...

It used to be my favourite blue too - a sort of Wedgewood shade. At the present I seem to be in a Pale Green phase (post menopausal reaction?!)

Anita - just off to check the link out. What HAVE you started?!

Gattina said...

Gorgious ! I love this ! but unfortunately your link didn't work.

JEWELGIRL said...

Very interesting post. I always
like a little history lesson.
I hope you stop and see my violet
cup, I think you will like it!

nancy said...

Well, we don't have any one like Old Uncle Tom Cobley in the Appalachians, so I'll give you that one. I love the song and even remember how it goes a bit. What a nice set.
Nancy

Bovey Belle said...

Gattina - thanks for alerting me about the link - I've sorted it now so it works. Jewelgirl - off to your blog now . . .

Anonymous said...

They're lovely. That line is often quoted 'Uncle Tom Cobley and all' in conversation..."Oh yes he was there and Uncle Tom Cobley and all". Lol.

cherished*vintage said...

Those are sure beautiful! Are they made by Wedgwood? Thanks for the link to the Widecombe Fair - looks like such a fun event to attend! I enjoyed reading about it.
-Karoline

nannykim said...

Blue and white is always so pretty and those are very nice; but do you , will you use them?

Bovey Belle said...

Sarah - I'm glad you're familiar with the refrain!

Cherished Vintage - They're not Wedgewood, they're made by Dartmouth Pottery, which is probably more famous for its "mottoware" - little jugs, bowls, dishes etc with a cream background, and definitive dark brown, dark green simple country designs and simple mottos a few words long. They date from about 1920.

I don't use them Nannykim - they are too precious to me. They are on display on top of a lovely old oak cupboard at the back of our hallway.

Kelli said...

Very interesting history and the dishes are beautiful. I love anything that is blue and white!
Kelli