Cumbria
An ancient name which was revived in the 1974 local government act which joined Cumberland, Westmoreland, and the Furness district of Lancashire into one authority. The traditional culture that first comes to mind for the region is hunting songs. John Peel of course is internationally known, but there is a huge tradition of singing at hunt suppers and “mayorings”. The best source for these is Songs of the Fell Packs published by the Melbreak Hunt from the Loweswater area. The county has a poor record of other traditional songs. Cecil Sharp visited on at least three separate occasions between 1905 and 1915, recording one song on each occasion. Peter Kennedy made several recordings in the 1950s, mostly of hunting songs. The other notable collector in the area was Frank Warriner, who collected no less than 42 songs in 1930, but whose provenance is unfortunately not recorded. The collection is in the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library at Cecil Sharp House. Keith Gregson published Cumbrian Songs and Ballads in 1980.
Seasonal Events
September - Egremont Crab Fair