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Archiver > DERBYSGEN > 2000-05 > 0958132023


From: "Beryl Wilson" <>
Subject: Re: [DBY] Derby Tup
Date: Fri, 12 May 2000 07:47:03 -0400
References: <8090D4A277CED311877400600856B86B7ACC@mail.hip-bodycote.co.uk> <004c01bfbc03$26c917a0$3e112cc3@m009s300>


Hi - Yes please, I would like a copy of your script.. It sounds as if it was
a lot of fun - and since a lot of my ancestors were born and bred in
Derbyshire I think it would be something to pass down to my descendants...
albeit I would like to see it myself too..

Thanks in Advance... Beryl of Brantford, Ont. Canada.




> The 'Tup' is a very old Derbyshire 'Mumming Play', usually performed in
the
> north of the county. Last year I and others of the Derby Heritage Centre
> performed the play in the pubs around Derby and collected for 'Children in
> Need'. This we believe was the first time the 'Tup' had been seen in the
> City for many years but, due to complaints from purists who believe the
play
> should only be performed in Chesterfield etc, is likely to be the last. I
> believe the original intention was that a group of locals would go round
the
> villages performing the play and collecting beer money.
>
> I have mailed our script for the play direct to Malcolm but if anyone else
> wants a copy please let me know. The play which should be acted and sung
> 'tongue in cheek' with lots of asides and adlibs.
>
> The 'Tup' is not to be confused with the similar 'Derby Ram' song although
I
> believe both have a common origin.
> Dancing Doug Porter has a wealth of research material on the subject of
the
> 'Ram' and, I'm sure, will only be pleased to answer more detailed
questions.
>
> Regards
> Paul Slater
> Derby UK
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Malcolm Godber <>
> To: <>
> Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2000 8:35 AM
> Subject: [DBY] Derby Tup
>
>
> > Excuse me rambling but I want to set the scene. I am old enough (just)
to
> > remember rationing, and was raised in a fairly deprived background. We
> lived
> > in a "yard" which for the uninitiated was a communal square surrounded
by
> > two up/two down, terraced houses. My parents were members of the local
> "pig
> > club" and saved all the kitchen waste, which went into the pig bin, a
> rather
> > smelly receptacle outside the back door. Once a week this bin was
emptied
> by
> > the "pig man" to make swill, (and you think dust bin men have a dirty
> job?).
> > At the end of the year, in time for the Christmas period, they were
> > presented with a ham from the slaughtered pig(s).
> > I guess around 1950, it was must have been our turn to host the New Year
> > celebrations which was no mean feat, what with the rationing and all,
and
> I
> > clearly remember my dad going into the cellar to shore up the floor
above
> > because it was sagging with the number of people in the room. As well as
> the
> > "first footing" we were visited by three "actors", dressed as a man, a
> woman
> > and a sheep, who proceeded to recite The Derby Tup. I think the first
two
> > lines were
> > Ere cums me an my owd lass
> > Short o munny, short o brass.
> > I only ever saw it the once and wondered what was the reasoning behind
it?
> > Has anyone out there any info on this?
> > Malcolm in Chesterfield
> >
> >
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> >
>
>
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