Somerset - Yeovil & Crewkerne

Sharp and Rev Marson had already collected folksongs from 35 singers in the Hambridge  area (including Ilminster) plus 38 singers in the Langport area (including Somerton). When Sharp found a further 26 singers in the Yeovil-Crewkerne area, that brought the total number of singers in what is now called ‘South Somerset’ to 99, which represents 28% of all the Somerset singers.

During a visit to East Coker in Sept 1908 Sharp collected a large number of singing games from the school children there (see profile of Lily Porter at Bridgwater for this aspect of his work). Interestingly he collected a linked handkerchief dance from the children at the same time https://www.vwml.org/search?q=East%20Coker%20morris%20dance%20Sharp&is=1

A total of 102 were collected in the Yeovil area from 13 men and 13 women. Their average age was 66.3 yrs. Of the men with named occupations, 3 were agricultural labourers, 2 with land-related jobs; 1 each twine worker, sail weaver, butcher, carpenter, miller, road labourer and a clergyman. Of the women, there were 2 laundresses, 2 linen weavers, 1 each domestic servant, charwoman and farmer.