Will Noble

Will Noble, Yorkshire singer.

"Will Noble is a builder, drystone waller and stone mason and has lived all his life in South West Yorkshire. He became known all over the country as a part of the Holme Valley Tradition along with John Cocking, Barry Bridgewater and Ernest Yates.

Will's family sang, particularly his two uncles, and it was probably from them that he learned his first song whilst on the farm as a boy. His father, Arthur, also sang, although his repertoire was mainly made up of fragments. Although it was the family that gave him a taste for singing, Will's first regular singing was at the local hunt meetings, particularly those of the Holme Valley Beagles. Although not a huntsman himself, he would go to the 'do' after the hunt for the singing, and it was here that he started to learn songs. At Christmas he visited 'The Fountain' at Ingbirchworth and joined in the local carol-singing sessions. This strong tradition is still active in several South Yorkshire and Derbyshire pubs. Will is now the carrier of the songs of many fine local singers, and in his ample hands his local singing tradition is surviving very well."
(John Howson, from the Veteran website)