The British Library The British Library Christmas day in the workhouse, parody, recitation C1023X0007XX-15 1CDR0007250 (copy of C1023/7) Item notes: Valerie Chapman continues parody of "Christmas day in the workhouse". Performer notes: George Dunn; Black Country chainmaker and traditional singer. Born in the village of Quarry Bank (formerly in Staffordshire), eight miles west of Birmingham. Father and grandfather worked in the iron trade, as did George who retired at the age of 72, after 59 years mainly as a chainmaker. Ernie Dunn is his younger brother. Ernie talks about local illiteracy and rhymes that were devised to assist with recognition of words and letters; recites rhyme; tells sound barrier story; tells story about Americans; George tells story of penance of peas in shoes; Ernie tells story of man in belfry on Christmas morning; George tells story of sheep stealing and talks about his father's singing Dunn, Ernie, 1902- (speaker, male) Dunn, George, 1887-1975 (speaker, male) Parker, Charles, 1919-1980 (speaker, male) Parker, Charles Chapman, Valerie (female) 1971-03-30 and 1971-04-05 George Dunn's home, Quarry Bank, Dudley, West Midlands, England, UK Roy Palmer collection Roy Palmer collection Roy Palmer collection 44100 16 00:00:51 44100 16 00:00:51 44100 16 192 kbps 00:00:51 44100 16 128 kbps