Merriott Families Genealogy
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Merriott Families Genealogy
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Murrt Spoke Yer - Merriott Local Dialect David Gibbs has found a sound
recording of an interview with Arthur Pattemore of Merriott on the Website:
David had this to say: I came
across a web site that you may find interesting:
www.collectbritain.co.uk unless, of course you
already know about it. If you are not familiar with it, go to their
English Accents and Dialects page and in the search box type Merriott
and click on Search. This takes you to a page where you can access a
recording made in 1956 of Arthur Pattemore, a well-known village
character of years past who used to live in a little cottage, in a
typical hawkers yard, right by the church. Hawking was a
common activity in the village years ago. I remember his open-fronted
shed just outside his door, where he used to house various traps and
carts, their shafts sticking up in the air. As a very small boy I
often rode in his pony and trap as he delivered newspapers, down in
the Knapp area of the village in particular, where I then lived. He
never used to say a lot and I think I found him rather intimidating,
but a kindly soul I believe beneath his hard, weather-worn
exterior. He was also referred to as Arthur Hut - probably to
distinguish him from other Pattemores of whom there were quite a few.
Anyway, here on the
www.collectbritain.co.uk site you can hear 'Mert Speak' as it used
to be, probably the only recording of it that exists. The following was sent by Louise Tilzey-Bates - an excerpt from the Crewkerne Advertiser from many years ago. Thankyou Louise! The Constant Chronicles Dear Readers, As you already know, I only moved to Crewkerne a few years ago, just after my poor old Jimmy spotted his last train and went to the great station in the sky. I'm really quite pleased to say that I have now become much more used to the way local people speak. However, when I meet a person from Merriott I find a lot of what they say totally incomprehensible. Only the other day at the Darby and Joan Club someone came up to me and started with a lot of ooh's and aah's, ee's and urr's and when she realised that I was not getting her gist she repeated herself twice as loudly. I was really quite frightened and glad that Agnes was on hand to translate. As it turned out I needn't have worried because the person was very kindly inviting me to drop in for a cup of tea and a digestive if ever I was passing Boozer Pit. Anyway, as a result of the incident Agnes has realised that she must be one of the very few Crewkernians still alive with a working knowledge of "MURRT" as she calls it. In fact, she has asked me to mention that she is available to provide translation service specially for Advertiser readers at very reasonable rates, or even become the personal interpreter for an estate agent or other wealthy businessman. Roger, the Editor of the Advertiser, did not agree with her other suggestion of printing a special edition for Merriott because it would be by no means certain that enough people would be able to read it. Yours Truly, Constance Riddler (Mrs) P.S. I probably won't be going for that cup of tea until I have had a good few language lessons from Agnes. P.P.S. The notice on her gate reads "MURRT SPOKE YER" but I guess most of you will have spotted that already. Back to Merriott Yesterday & Today Back to Home Page |
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