In 2015 the festival celebrated Life in the Village with a Cantata, commissioned for the event, which laid out the history of the Village in a lively well attended Concert performance held in St Michaels Church Galleywood, in June, during Festival Week.
GAVELWODE – The Cantata
Although the composer, Eric Withams, has lived in Great Baddow all his life, Galleywood featured largely in his boyhood as his maternal grandparents lived in Well Lane, Galleywood. Eric wrote a Chelmsford cantata for children in 2002, and then, in 2011 fulfilled a longstanding ambition to compose a larger scale work about Great Baddow. Interest from Wendy Cummin of the Galleywood Heritage Centre prompted him to offer to write a cantata for Galleywood. The title “Gavelwode” comes from one of the early names for the village. Collaboration between Chris Wright, Melva Whybro and Eric over a 12 month period produced the work you hear in this concert.
Although much research went into the words, it was borne in mind that mere accounts of local history could prove to be rather dry in a musical production. So every effort was made to be accurate, but it was intended that the work should entertain audience and performers. As in the composer’s previous works, a variety of musical styles and moods is employed. We hope that you will enjoy the work, and gain some historical insight into Galleywood through local characters and events.
PROLOGUE: There are hundreds of villages in England, and many of them are very old. Galleywood is one of these with a long history. Galleywood Common was mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1081, and by the following century a small village was developing. The village was mentioned on one old map as 'Gavelwode'. The most likely reason a village grew up here was that travellers such as merchants regularly passed through on their way to and from London and the busy port of Maldon. For many centuries human feet, horses' hooves, wooden wheels, car tyres and, in 1381, the marching boots of revolting peasants, have helped to make this a busy route. Some milestones remain, indicating how many miles travellers have to go on the way to London.
The narration to the concert is included below together with video clips from the later part of the concert.
1. On the way to London
Narration – : Over 900 years the village of Gavelwode has developed its own characteristics, changing slowly , taking its time in deciding whether it approves of this change or that change, slowly evolving. Who decides whether a change is good or bad? Well, if you can find the wise old man of Gavelwode, he will stroke his beard, tap the side of his nose, and declare there's only one answer to that: "It's time" he will say "Time will tell"
On the way to London, at the crossing of the roads,
The village that in former times was known as Gavelwode,
With its church and school and village hall, its businesses and shops
Farms which serve the markets with livestock and with crops.
On the way to London the traveller needs to pause
Seeking out refreshments from local inns and stores
In years gone by with horse and cart, and stage coach for the grand,
While simple peasants trudged on foot to journey over land.
On the way to London, the village can't stand still
And new folk move to Essex for better or for ill
New accents, colours, languages help the village to improve
Let's hope the folk of Galleywood give welcome and approve.
Narration: Many villages have some open land which appears to have no set purpose except to attract people to go there to walk, run, rest, relax and enjoy the open space. Galleywood Common is no exception to this rule and most people would regard the Common as a feature of the village and an asset to be preserved. The next song paints a rosy picture of life on the Common. It may be a bit one-sided in its view, but for the moment let's wallow in the pleasures that Galleywood Common gives to visitors and villagers alike.
2. On the Common.
NARRATION: There used to be a pub in Galleywood called The Admiral Rous, named after a naval gentleman who regularly went to the local racecourse. Through the years the building has also been a betting shop, a tearoom and is now a private house. In 1899, however, the pub was the centre of a crime, which darkened the reputation of the Admiral Rous. The landlord, Sam Crozier, was found guilty of murdering his wife, Cecilia. He was suspected of having pushed her down the stairs, causing her death. This is what may have happened on that dark night in June 1899.
In high summer on sunny days, the wide open Common in Galleywood is where you want to be,
Where children have fun as they play in the sun, and it’s free!
There are families about with their picnics in summertime, strollers walk around the course,
Insects are humming, and sweet scents are coming from bracken and gorse.
Hollows and sandpits are there to be explored, trees of all sizes to climb;
Running and riding, seeking and hiding,
Having a wonderful time.
Folks ride horses and mountain bikes, joggers in colourful sports gear bring action to the scene
Everything is happening, from restful to strenuous, and all in between!
In high summer on sunny days, the wide open Common in Galleywood is where you want to be,
Where children have fun as they play in the sun, and it’s free!
As the day-light fades, they all drift away contented and happy to their homes.
3. The Admiral Rous
Narration: One feature of Galleywood which marks the village out as 'different' was the racecourse which existed alongside the Common, and which was the only course in the country which ran around a church. The Galleywood races attracted other activities such as cock-fighting and prize-fighting, so you didn't have to look far to find something to bet on. The racecourse closed down in the 1930s, and lives on only in the memories of a few. So let's listen to the song to remind us of what it must have been like.
In a public house, the Admiral Rous, the Croziers did reside,
Beers and spirits inducing rage, revealed their darker side,
Sam and Cecilia, the drunken pair, were always in dispute,
So Admiral Rous became a house of seedy ill-repute.
CHORUS: So Admiral Rous became a house of seedy ill-repute.
After closing time one summer night a vicious row broke out,
Sam struck his wife with such a blow, and nearly knocked her out;
The argument raged on and on, she cried out in despair,
While struggling on the landing she tumbled down the stair.
CHORUS: Poor Cecilia tumbled down the stair.
By light of dawn two local lads appeared upon the scene,
They stopped by for a breakfast pint, their normal day’s routine;
They both were shocked by what they saw, her body lying there,
Their eyes beheld a gruesome sight at the bottom of the stair.
No witnesses or evidence condemned the wretched Sam,
But his fist-filled reputation throughout this story ran
Samuel pleaded innocence, but all to no avail,
Judge and jury sentenced him to death in Chelmsford jail.
The Hangman’s noose hangs limp and cold, it soon will claim a life,
Sam Crozier’s due to meet his God for killing of his wife.
The Hangman’s noose will do its job, revenge for what Sam did;
He beat her and ignored her cries, bring coffin, earth and lid.
4. Galleywood races
NARRATION: A day at the races would have appealed to young and old, but whatever age you were you couldn't avoid the grinding weight of everyday routines on the day after. Most adults went back to work, children went back to school. Which was better? Work or school? The old school still stands on the crossroads opposite the Eagle pub, and we'll let the children tell us just what school was like in the 'good old days' compared with today.
What do you do on a sunny day in April, May or June?
July and August, where do you go on a summer afternoon?
Stroll along the Watchouse Road, mingle with all the people,
Visit the course where riders and horses chase around the steeple.
CHORUS: A bob each way, and a couple of beers,
Sadness simply disappears with a day at the Galleywood Races.
Old and young and rich and poor are there for a day of fun,
For galloping hooves and flying turf, the races have begun;
Consider the odds and place your bets, run to your favourite places,
From starting gate to finishing straight you’ll love the Galleywood Races!
CHORUS
The sun goes down, we make for home, the crowds all drift away,
Down the Watchouse Road we trudge, it’s been a wonderful day;
We’ve shouted and cheered, we’ve booed and jeered, you’ll see from our smiling faces
That we’ve all had the time of our lives, a day at the Galleywood Races!
5 .The school
NARRATION: Many children left school early in those days to go to work, the boys on the land, and the girls to go into 'service' at the big houses in the village. One such house was the Old Vicarage, and there's no hiding the dull routine of much of the work there. Enough to make you wish you were back at school!
Shut up in a classroom day after day
Learning boring subjects, wishing time away.
Only two more lessons then it’s time for play
The alphabet is tedious, chanting day by day.
TEACHER: But the alphabet’s important, let’s begin with A,
PUPIL(S): “Oh no, do we ‘ave to, we did it yesterday!”
A B C D E F G, H I J K L M N O P
Q R S T U & V, W X Y Z.
Shut up in a classroom day after day
Learning boring subjects, wishing time away;
Only two more lessons then it’s time for play
Arithmetic is tedious, chanting day by day.
TEACHER: But tables are important, let’s begin with one
PUPIL(S): “Oh no, do we ‘ave to, it’s really not much fun”
1 x 2= 2, 2 x 2 = 4, 3 x 2 = 6 etc.
Shut up in a classroom day after day
Learning boring subjects, wishing time away;
Only two more lessons then it’s time for play
Spelling is so tedious, chanting day by day.
TEACHER: But spelling’s so important, let’s begin with cat,
PUPIL(S) “Oh no, do we ‘ave to, I thought we’d done all that!”
c a t, c a t, s a t, s a t, m a t, m a t ,
The cat sat on the mat.
That’s the way it was in school,
Things have changed since then:-
Gone are days of boards and chalk,
Teachers who just stand and talk,
Whiteboards have replaced the black,
There’s no looking back.
Laptops and i-pads are always there on call,
Power points and computers now engulf us all
Technology is progress, that’s what we are told,
Are teachers really needed as they were in days of old?
6. Working at the vicarage.
NARRATION: People's lives are shaped by many things - families, work, wealth and poverty, disease, technology ...........the list is endless. But perhaps nothing changes life quite so much as war. In 1939 Britain went to war with Germany, and so for most people whether they lived in town or country, the war brought changes in so many ways.
2015 Festival Cantata - Track 1 - Working at the Vicarage
Staying, working, praying at the Vicarage,
Serving the Vicar and his wife,
Sleeping, sweeping, housekeeping at the Vicarage,
This is my/her life
Living, eating, skivvying, at the Vicarage
Serving the Vicar and his wife,
Boiling, cooking, and toiling at the Vicarage,
This is my/her life.
Attending morning prayers, sweeping of the stairs,
Part of the daily tasks,
Laying fires and lighting them, priming lamps, igniting them,
Whatever the Vicar’s lady asks.
Staying, working, and praying at the Vicarage,
Serving the Vicar and his wife,
Sleeping, sweeping, housekeeping at the Vicarage,
This is my/her life.
My one day off is Sunday, but work resumes on Monday:
Water needs heating, food cooked for eating,
Waiting at table, washing up crocks,
Laundering, ironing, and hanging out linen,
Sewing, and mending and darning holy socks!
Staying, working, and praying at the Vicarage,
Serving the Vicar and his wife,
Sleeping, sweeping, sometimes weeping at the Vicarage,
This is my/her life.
Working for the reverend, will my duties never end?
While working at the Vicarage,
This is my life.
7. World War II
NARRATION (over music): For many Londoners the Second World War was all about the Blitz, the aerial bombing of large parts of London ........but for many young Londoners the war meant evacuation - a new life in someone else's home, far from the bombings in the capital. A change that wasn't always easy for the hosts or the guests!
2015 Festival Cantata - Track 2 - World War II
Britain marched to War in the year of Thirty Nine
A war that turned the world upon its head
Galleywood men and women rallied nobly to the flag
While monuments in stone record the dead.
So Galleywood had its bombs
Its bangs and blackouts too
Barrage balloons and bullets
Were all part of World War II
Conscripts fought in Europe or Asia far away
While Home Guard men of Galleywood formed brigades,
Shelters in the gardens protected Essex folk
From German bombers on their nightly raids.
So Galleywood had its bombs
Its bangs and blackouts too
Barrage balloons and bullets
Were all part of World War II
2015 Festival Cantata - Track 3 -
(A) Evacuees, evacuees,
They’ve dragged us down from London town,
Despite our cries and pleas,
Evacuees, evacuees
The local kids don’t like us all,
They think we taunt and tease,
Because, they say, we don’t fit in,
We’re just like chalk and cheese
But they’ll have to learn to like us,
We’re evacuees.
(B) We’re village kids, we’re country kids,
Quite unused to townie ways,
They’ve come down from London Town,
Suppose they lead us all astray!
Maybe we’ll find they’re quite OK,
But till the war is over, they’re here to stay.
(A) Evacuees, evacuees,
They’ve dragged us down from London town,
Despite our cries and pleas,
Evacuees, evacuees
The local kids don’t like us all,
They think we taunt and tease,
Because, they say, we don’t fit in,
We’re just like chalk and cheese
But they’ll have to learn to like us,
We’re evacuees.
(B) We’re village kids, we’re country kids,
Quite unused to townie ways,
They’ve come down from London Town,
Suppose they lead us all astray!
Maybe we’ll find they’re quite OK,
But till the war is over, they’re here to stay.
2015 Festival Cantata - Track 4 -
Britain fought for peace till the year of forty five,
Then found that peaceful times could be restored;
Galleywood folk would welcome new challenges ahead,
A time for hope, a time for looking forward.
No bombs and bangs and blackouts,
No bullets any more,
But peaceful days and nights
Mark the end of strife and war.
NARRATION (over music): But peace returned at last after 6 long years of conflict.
8. Galleywood Calypso
NARRATION: A while ago we heard about Admiral Rous and the Croziers, but they were just three Galleywood characters who will be remembered by their eccentricities. Here are a few others, hiding in a Calypso!
2015 Festival Cantata - Track 5 - Galleywood Calypso
CHORUS. Galleywood, Galleywood, living in this village is so bally good,
Pubs and clubs, a church and a school, Living here in Galleywood is really cool.
‘Hundeds’ Brazier, a resident of Galleywood, was always a man of good cheer,
Every evening with his pal he would stroll up to the Eagle for a beer.
CHORUS Galleywood, Galleywood, living in this village is so bally good,
Pubs and clubs, a church and a school, Living here in Galleywood is really cool.
At closing time, when walking home through Galleywood,
He wasn’t always steady on his feet,
But he would show the neighbours just how well he stood
By walking a straight line along The Street
CHORUS Galleywood, Galleywood, living in this village is so bally good,
Pubs and clubs, a church and a school, Living here in Galleywood is really cool.
Walter Chaplin with his horse and cart in Galleywood ladled milk directly from his churns
Milk from cow to bucket to sell he would, scorning health and safety concerns
CHORUS Galleywood, Galleywood, living in this village is so bally good,
Pubs and clubs, a church and a school, Living here in Galleywood is really cool.
St Michael’s Church stands proudly up on the hill, generously built by Arthur Pryor
Since eighteen seventy-three it is serving still with a steeple and an organ and a choir.
CHORUS Galleywood, Galleywood, living in this village is so bally good,
Pubs and clubs, a church and a school, Living here in Galleywood is really cool.
Rev’rend Griffiths is the vicar of Galleywood, the parish is under his care,
If he pulled the rope to ring the bell he could summon his parishioners to prayer.
CHORUS Galleywood, Galleywood, living in this village is so bally good,
Pubs and clubs, a church and a school, Living here in Galleywood is really cool.
NARRATION: For most of its 800 years Galleywood has relied on the farm land to produce enough food and support enough animals to feed the hungry mouths of young and old. We list some of those farms, past and present, and to them Harvest time was such a significant highlight of everyone's year that it was worth celebrating Harvest as one of the miracles of the calendar. We pay tribute to workers on the land as they approach their celebrations for the Harvest.
9. Farms and harvest
NARRATION: The finale reminds us that throughout its history Galleywood has changed and evolved, but has retained many features of life stretching back through previous centuries. It is a paradox. The way the village stays the same, but slowly changes. The village we know as Galleywood in 2015 has been shaped by time, and we need to remember it still is changing. Some changes have worked well, others less so. If you remember at the start of the Cantata we discovered who decides whether the changes are good or bad. "Time will tell" says the wise old man of Gavelwode, "Time will tell."
2015 Festival Cantata - Track 6 - Farms and harvest
Rignalls and Skinners, Seabrights and Galleydene,
Flourishing farms of centuries past,
Lathcotes and Parklands, Wood Farm and Canon Leys,
Farming traditions remaining steadfast.
Esgores and Bearmans, Glebe Farm and Galley Hall
Farmers and labourers working the land
Ponds Farm and Pymms Farm, Oakhams and Attwoods
Some have ceased farming while others expand.
Life on the farm,
Work through the seasons,
Fighting the weather through rain, snow and hail;
Life on the farm,
Wheat, oats and barley,
Fruit from the orchards, and beet from the ground,
We’re hoping and praying our crops will not fail.
Life on the farm,
Progress is subtle,
Tractors and combines replacing the horse;
Life on the farm,
Methods are changing,
Yields are increasing, yet problems remain
The war against nature shows little remorse.
Life on the farm,
Harvest approaches,
We look to our labours to bring us reward,
Work on the farm
Comes to fruition,
Time for thanksgiving almost is here,
A time to be grateful for nature’s rich hoard.
So it is done, every farm has won
In the great growing race its own unique place;
From orchards and fields with bountiful yields
The Harvests have triumphed,
The Harvests have triumphed again.
10. FINALE
2015 Festival Cantata - Track 7 - Finale
On the way to London, the old ways are no more
As cars and vans and lorries go faster than before
With petrol fumes and traffic jams, pollution fills the air,
Commuters race to reach their work and rush hour brings despair
Beyond the busy by-pass the rural life goes on,
As young and old live side by side, not everything has gone;
The church, the school, the pubs and farms,
The life-blood of us all,
So future generations must answer to the call
Galleywood, the village, is where our future lies!
ERIC WITHAMS - Composer
Eric’s interest in music began with a fascination for the church organ. He started piano lessons and became a chorister in Great Baddow church aged 9. He moved on to the organ 3 years later, and gained experience playing at local churches. In the mid-fifties he was organist and choirmaster here at St. Michael’s Church.
He began his teaching career as a primary school teacher specialising in music. After seven years, which included four and a half very happy years at the Chelmsford Cathedral School, he transferred to secondary teaching. His second secondary post was as Head of Music at a Pitsea comprehensive school, followed by a similar position at Ingatestone’s Anglo-European school when it opened in 1973.
After early retirement he directed the Chelmsford Children’s Choir and formed the Chelmer Youth Choir.
Also at that time he did much composing and arranging, GCSE examining and organ playing.
He is holder of an MA in Music Education as well as LRAM and LTCL diplomas in school music related subjects.
2015 Festival Cantata - Track 8 - Galleywood - Encore