Suffolk Folk

Promoting Traditional Music, song and dance in the Suffolk area

Percy Webb Memorial Trophy

Events : Calendar Dances in the Barn Playford Ball Folk at the Riverside 2008 Percy Webb Trophy

The Percy Webb Memorial Trophy

Adapted from an Article by Vic Harrup in Mardles Magazine

(We pick up the story at the Butley Oyster, where there was some singing on the Sunday after Percy's funeral):

"a collection was taken, which far exceeded the amount I had spent on the flowers. After a discussion, it was decided to buy a pewter tankard with the remaining money and sing for it annually to remember him. The new tankard, kindly donated by Suffolk Folk, replaces the original lost during a change of landlord at the Oyster. In the winter of 1976 I planted an oak tree at the corner of the cemetery near Percy's unmarked grave, but for some reason it didn't flourish. Since then his family have placed a headstone at the grave and the oak has magically become a sweet chestnut!

About the same time that Percy died a verse appeared as part of an obituary in The Observer, which seemed appropriate for Percy too. It runs as follows:

He had the ploughman's strength in the grasp of his hand
He could see a crow three miles away,
He could hear the green oats growing
And the southwest wind making rain
And the trout beneath the stone
And he's dead.

The original trophy was last sung for in May 1996. The replacement trophy has been engraved with the names of all the past winners.

The Competition - 2007

Sunday May 4th 2008 at the Blaxhall Ship

Singers are invited to compete for this trophy by the singing of a traditional Folk Song
The winner to be decided upon by votes cast.
The winner shall hold the trophy for one year.

Prospective entrants please indicate their choice of song to Steve Dickinson
Tel 01449 615523 or by email to steve@suffolkfolk.co.uk