D.Howe (1984)

Source:

Doris Howe (Auth.)
The Story of Holbrook [includes Guising]
Cromford: Scarthin Books, 1984, 0-907758-05-3

A book concerning the local history of the parish of Holbrook, Derbys. Chapter VII covers customs; The Wakes, Damson Sunday, Guising, Tin Panning, Old Emma (a drug), and Squirrel Hunting. The description of Guisers includes the texts of three plays, collected by a Miss Clark, and a number of other bits of information.

The first text (70 lines), entitled "Old Belzebub", was performed in Holbrook village and had the characters; No.1 [introducer], Old Guy, No.3/King George, Doctor, and Old Belzebub.

The second text (27 lines), entitled "Sanken Benny", was reputedly from Holbrook Moor. This had the characters; No.1 [introducer], Old Sanken Benny, and Quack/Doctor.

The last text (49 lines) is entitled "Robin Hood, Arthur and John". The characters are; No.1, No.2 and Little John. Which if No.1 and No.3 is Robin Hood and which Arthur is unclear. This is essentially a dramatisation of the ballad "Robin Hood and the Tanner"

The authoress herself witnessed a performance about 1915. She cites an undated general article by Miss A.B.Smedley in the 'Derby Evening Telegraph', and R.Meynell's (1957/58) account of the Holbrook Guisers visiting Coxbench Hall at Christmas.

Finally, she relates an anecdote from Mr. Jim Brown about when the paper streamers of his costume caught fire. His play included St. George and Turk.

Index Terms:

Locations: *Holbrook, Derbys. (SK3645); Holbrook Moor, Derbys. (SK3645); Coxbench Hall, Derbys. (SK3743)
Years: Perf. 1915; Publ. 1984
Subjects: Wakes; Damson Sunday; Guising; Tin Panning; Old Emma; Drugs; Squirrel Hunting; Guisers; Full Texts; "Old Belzebub"; No.1; Introducer; Old Guy; No.3; King George; Doctor; Old Belzebub; "Sanken Benny"; Old Sanken Benny; Quack; "Robin Hood, Arthur and John"; No.2; Little John; Robin Hood; Arthur; "Robin Hood and the Tanner"; Dramatised Ballad; Smedley,A.B. (no date); Meynell,R. (1957/58); Christmas; Costumes; St. George; Turk; Plays
People: Miss Clark (Col.); Mr. Jim Brown (Perf.)
Archives: TDRG Archive, Ref. TD00428

* indicates data that has not yet been validated against the original source and/or has yet to be completely indexed.

Last Updated Mar 1988 by Peter Millington.