Singing through Norfolk's history

You can sing along to Norfolk sea-shanty songs in Norwich

Bringing local songs and traditions to life, you can sing your way through years gone by at the Big Screen in Norwich.

While reflecting upon Norfolk's farming and sea-shanty landscapes, traditional Norfolk folk songs will be played by local musicians on Chapelfield Plain.

"We can make history, by singing history!" said Maureen Hanke from the Norfolk Music Service.

The sing-along occurs on Sunday, 1 November, 2009, from 11am - 1pm.

In the days of X Factor, people may not be familiar with Norfolk's folk tunes, but Windy Old Weather, Norfolk Harvest Song and Farmer's Boy have a popular history and they were all written in our home county.

Folk musician Alan Hellesdon has worked with the Norfolk Record Office, Norfolk County Council Music Service and Norfolk Celebrating Talent to produce a booklet and CD containing 14 songs of food, love and comedy, all of which were written in Norfolk.

"Schools and communities will be able to learn about the hardships and the laughter of an age now past; an age that helped define our present and makes us proud to belong to Norfolk," said Maureen.

Rural history

EAST ANGLIAN FOLK SONGS Bold Fisherman Bungay Roger Butter and Cheese and All Farmer's Boy Newton Flotman Train Norfolk Harvest Song On Board a Ninety-Eight On Board a Wherry The Norfolk Turnippe The Outing (Dickleburgh) The Thatcher Waiting for the Day (Lowestoft) Windy Old Weather (Happisburgh) Yarmouth Town

People of all ages can come along to the event. With the help of the Big Screen and provided song sheets, everyone can enjoy a sing-song and revel in a piece of Norfolk's rural history with some tunes dating back to the 19th Century.

"We'll be handing out song sheets to everyone at the sing-along, but prior to the event everyone can view the whole songbook online," said Becky Betts, Big Screen producer.

"On the Big Screen we will have a live camera relay of what's happening on the ground so everyone can see themselves.

"People can hear and see an oral history and recall memories of Norfolk's rivers, where so many of these songs were inspired," she added.

Singing Histories takes place on Sunday, 1 November, 2009, from 11am - 1pm, at Chapelfield Plain in Norwich.

You can download the Singing Histories songbook prior to the event from the Norfolk County Council website.

Song sheets will be provided on the day.

The Big Screen is a partnership between LOCOG (London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games), the BBC, Norwich City Council and Chapelfield.