The KGML is in one of the oldest parts of the Manor and is entered by pressing a hidden lock in the panelling. The wall then becomes a door that opens into this secret room with a stunningly decorated original plaster ceiling which illuminates the library.
Originally named after Margaret Grant, the first branch organiser of the English Folk Dance & Song Society in the south west, the library was housed in Exeter and moved to Halsway in 1965, the year the Manor became a folk centre. The name was changed in January 2007 when the Society received the gift of Peter Kennedy's Library of some 11,000 items. It is at present in store, but will gradually be added to the existing library. |
photo: Cynthia Sartin
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It is a multimedia collection of folklore, customs, traditional music, dance and song from around the world. Its strength is in the English tradition particularly of the south west. There are over 3,000 items consisting of books, pamphlets, journals, cassettes, records, CD’s, DVD’s, videos, artifacts, archives, the William Winter manuscript of tunes and the Ruth Tongue collection.
An alphabetical index to the Winter MSS is now available to download from the William Winter update pages
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William
Winters Tune Book, West Bagborough, 1850
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programmes
from the Royal Albert Hall Festivals
- click for a closer view.
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photo: Alan Corkett |
The stock of the library has been entered onto a database and extensively key worded. The author and subject printed catalogues are on display in the library and can
be downloaded from the web site.
The author catalogue is arranged in alphabetical order by author and is preceded by title entries without an author.
The subject catalogue is under broad subject headings that are only intended as a guide. For example, American Dance might also be found under the more general heading Folk Dance
Click here to go to the catalogue |
You can search the whole stock by author, title, song, dance and subject key words on the library computer. It is now possible to find the words of a song in the books, play a recording on the record, cassette, CD player and perhaps read articles about it in the journals and archives. The library
computer with its connection to the Internet also allows users of the library to search the web for information, songs and dances.
Photo: The Yetties : a still from "Yetties at Halsway Manor"
The collection is growing rapidly and plans are afoot to convert the old garages and courtyard behind the Mews into a library and archive with courtyard garden. An appeal for funds and applications for grants are to be made to create a local, national and international centre for study and research, which will preserve our culture and heritage for future generations
To use the library and for information enquiries it is best to ring the Manor (Tel. 01984 618274) to arrange a visit. There is no charge for using the Library but donations towards running costs are appreciated. |
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| The Library welcomes donations on the understanding that if they are not added to the stock they can be sold to
raise money for Halsway Manor Society. |
Official Photo Album of The International Folk Dance Festival, 1935 - click for a closer view |
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78 r.p.m.
records of Folk-dance music
| The Manors’ extensive collection was scattered around the cellar and other parts of the house. It has now been sorted and Anthea and Deryck Deane have cleaned up the copies we wish to retain and put them in new sleeves. They have also produced 2 CDs ‘Halsway Manor - Country Dance Tunes 1 and 2’ from tracks, that are over 50 years old and therefore out of copyright. Quite a few of the tunes are played by the National Folk Dance Orchestra, arranged by Cecil Sharp and conducted by Ralph Vaughan Williams. The result is music, which is sometimes very different from that of current bands, but is full of energy and life. These are available from the Manor for £12 each inc. P. & P. |
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EFDSS Magazines and Journals We have
now sorted out spare copies which we can offer for sale. Contact us to see what is available |
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