Mawthers and bor, there’s a right warm welcome for ye at Potter Heigham church.
The church is hosting a Norfolk dialect weekend from September 4-6, including a church service with prayers and bible stories in local dialect, plus a concert and exhibition.
The weekend is being organised by Diana Rackham who is both chair of the group Friends of Norfolk Dialect (FOND) and a member of the congregation at St Nicholas church, Potter Heigham.
“It’s a new event,” said Diana, “We are part of Waterside benefice which is doing a day out in Broadland. There is a craft fair in Ludham and photographic exhibition in Catfield. Potter Heigham needed someone to do something so I suggested a Norfolk Dialect weekend as the church has connections with Sidney Grapes.”
Sidney Grapes was famous for his ‘Boy John’ letters in Norfolk dialect, published in the Eastern Daily Press from 1946 until his death in 1958. They told comic stories about the life, times, family and neighbours of his farm labourer character Boy John.
Sidney lived in Potter Heigham all his life and performed his dialect stories for local audiences and on the radio. He ran a garage in the town and was also a church warden at St Nicholas and sang in the choir.
The Celebrating Norfolk Dialect weekend begins with An Evening of Norfolk Entertainment in St Nicholas church, from 7pm on Friday September 4, featuring readings from the Boy John letters, music and songs inspired by local area with The Occasional Ceilidh Band, ‘Norfolk squit’ by Pat Nearney, and step dancing and jigs with Monica and Barry Mobbs. Tickets are £10.
On Saturday September 5 the church will host a dialect and archive display from 10am-4pm, including a dialect talk at 2pm and refreshments.
The Norfolk themed church service at 10am on Sunday September 6 is likely to include bible stories re-written in Norfolk dialect by Colin Riches, and broad Norfolk prayers and hymns.
The Rev Gary Noyes, Vicar of the Waterside benefice said: “I am very much looking forward to this special service in St Nicholas’ Church, and sharing it with the Friends of Norfolk Dialect. It will be a great opportunity to celebrate our regional dialect and highlight the work of Boy John and others, as well as to give thanks for the work of this special church in the lives of Norfolk people over so many centuries. Translators will be available!”
He said he does not have a Norfolk accent because he has lived around the country – but was born in West Runton and his parents, grandparents and great grandparents were from north Norfolk. “We’ll see if the vicar has a go from the pulpit, if he ends up preaching!” he added.
The Waterside group of churches includes All Saints church Catfield, St Catherine’s, Ludham, and St Nicholas, Potter Heigham – one of Norfolk’s famous round-towered churches. Its 12th century tower is topped by an octagaonal 14th century belfry, parts of its roof are thatched and inside are medieval wall paintings, a hammerbeam roof, a unique 15th century brick font and a carving of a woodwose or wild man of the woods.
The Friends of Norfolk Dialect (FOND) was founded in 1999, to conserve and keep alive Norfolk’s linguistic and cultural heritage.
It has a comprehensive archive of Norfolk words, phrases, sayings, stories and songs and stages an annual pantomime in Norfolk dialect.
Pictures: Diocese of Norwich, Friends of Norfolk Dialect, Wikimedia Commons/Adrian Pye
Psalm 23 – written in Norfolk dialect by Andrew Rouse
The Lord is my Guv’nr; so I wunt want for nuthin’,
He’s guided me through all the gret places in Norfolk,
And I can feel his healing presence with me ev’rywhere.
My haart – thass good to live in bewtiful Norfolk.
He lead me orlways inter dewin the best I can
And he know I dew it in his name!
He’s here with me all the time ‘Specially in the dark and difficult times.
But I oont be afeared of anythin’ Cos’ I know you’re with me, keepin’ me on the right rud.
Yew dorn’t harf look arter me.
You prepare a fare ole spread for me,
You anoint me with yer spirit
And um wholly bowled over with all on’it
That fare t’ mean I’ll have yew wi’me wherever I go.
So I’ll keep on a-troshin’ an dewin your good works;
An thass orl gorn t’be orroight, tergether.