RYMES OF LIFE BOOK
ALEX MOREFIELD-BROOME
Rymes of life
Rhymes of life
Introduction
The Photographer wished to combine her memories of both being a child of Gloucester and reading Gloucestershire Rhymes. The first publication of rhymes by Lieutenant Colonel E.R.P. Berryman, was a favourite of the Author. This publication has been an inspiration of The Author's love of Community history and photography, in the City of Gloucester.
In 1930 Berryman put together some simple "Nursey Rhymes", for his grandchildren. Berryman had knowledge of Gloucester's history and its ancient street names. The poems were later given to a local charity called 'Hop Skip and Jump', by his Granddaughter Roberta. The charity provided support to young children and teenagers.
Sadly, the charity has since gone into liquidation. The Photographer, with the help of close family and knowledge of Gloucester, researched the background to Berryman's poems.
The Photographer chose three pieces of Berryman's work alongside photographs to illustrate her research so that the work of Berryman could be brought to life in modern day Gloucester.
Alexandra Morefield- Broome
Disclaimer
The Charity Hop Skip and Jump went to liquidation in 2013. The Author contacted the Charity Commission and was advised that the local venue had been taken over by CLIK, a Charity for young people with cancer, but not the ownership of the book of Rhymes. The Author is continuing to research the ownership of the original text. A donation from the Author's publication will be donated to the appropriate charity.
Doctor Foster
Doctor Foster went to Gloucester in shower of rain
He stepped in a puddle right up to his middle
and never went there again Annon
Escape to freedom
By Patricia Morefield
In the late forties I was a pupil at the High School for Girls on called Denmark Road and every few weeks the local farmers from the area covering Sandhurst, Twigwoth and Longford would drive their cattle to market from staying temporary at the area which is now a part of the university campus. The destination was the cattle market which is now the new bus station.
The animals where driven into Gloucester along the Kingholms Road and up to Denmark Road past my school then along to King Square to the market. It must be very frightening for the poor beasts. On one occasion a cow escaped as the animals were about to pass the school to Oxford Road and took refuge in the school grounds and the gates were closed to imprison the unfortunate animal. It was eventually captured between the wall of the canteen and the back fence of the adjacent cottage.
But at this time we had at this time a very important visitor, an education expert from Iran to view the school. We were imprisoned in the school building for safety, I sat in the row by the window overlooking the playground and field so I had a good view and luckily during lunch the culprit animal was captured and we did not have to go out in the rain during playtime .Tough old days !
But I think the cow had known of the old poem about getting stuck in the old streets of Gloucester.
Oxbode Lane
There's an ox lying dead at the end of the Lane, His head on the pathway, his feet in the drain, The lane is so narrow, his back was so wide,
He got struck in the road' twixt a house on each side.
He couldn't go forward, he couldn't go back, He got stuck just as tight as a nail in a crack, And the people all shouted, 'So tightly he fits
We must kill him and carve him and move him in bits.'
So,a butcher despatched him and then had a sale Of his ribs and his sirloin, his rump, and his tail.
And the farmer he told me.'I '11 never again Drive cattle to market down Oxbode Lane.
Parliament Street
Parliament Street! Parliament Street!
Is that where the House of Parliament meet?
Oh no, I don’t think so, I think that’s quite wrong,
It’s only a street just going along.
Mop Fair
Do you want a new mop? Do you a new maid?
A young lady well versed in the trick of the trade ?
Who will dust all your ceilngs, your walls and your floors
And polish the stair-case and windows and doors ?
Tell me, where can I find such a paragon, where?
Oh, just along Baron Street ,down Mop Fair .
Do you want a new dairy maid, madam ? A dream
Who ‘ll make nice yellow butter and lovely thick cream:
Who will polish each pan till it shines like a star.
Are there really such maids in existence? There are.
Tell me, where can I find such a paragon, where?
Oh ,just along Barton Street, down at Mop fair.