A SOCIAL COMMENTARY ON RURAL LIFE. Selected from hundreds of tape recordings submitted by members of the Women's Institute, here are some outstanding examples of natural speech from different parts of the county - most were made during 1976 at the instigation of the Devon Federation of the W.I. with the object of preserving good examples of everyday speech of Devon in the mid 70's.

1. "Words of the Old Chap" (recitation: W.Weeks): Bess Wilson, SIDMOUTH, E.Devon - 0'59"

2. "Farm service": Percy Turl, COLYTON - 1'05"

3. "Farm Service": Bess Wilson, SIDMOUTH - 1'23"

4. "All for dree bob": W G Litheren, HATHERLEIGH, Okehampton - 1'01"

5. "Social Security": Ms Friend & Mrs Conibere, SANDFORD, Crediton - 2'28"

6. "School & other memories": Percy Turl, COLYTON - 3'03"

7. "Market round"/ Gipsies" Mrs Foxwell, AYLESBEARE, nr Exeter - 1'50"

8. "Helter-skelter at Barnstaple Fair": Mr Patt, LANDKEY, N.Devon - 1'21"

9. "Boys & Menfolk": Stella Elliott, Elsie Pearse & Louisa Wrayford, DENBURY, nr Newton Abbot - 3'20"

10. "A blacksmith's memories": George Tucker, HATHERLEIGH - 1'27"

11. "Four family fables": Mrs Vickery, CULLOMPTON - 3'26"

12. "Woman's work": Mrs Foxwell, AYLESBEARE - 3'08"

13. "Hospital Sunday": Will Daymond, STICKLEPATH, Okehampton - 2'20"

14. "Health hazards": Mrs Gagg, GALMPTON, Churston, Brixham - 2'00"

15. "Fetch a bucket of water": Mr P Isaac, CRUWYS MORCHARD, Tiverton, Mid Devon - 1'59"

16. "The better plan" (recitation): Alice Sanders, HATHERLEIGH - 0'53"

17. "Courting": Peggy Tucker, May Cruze & Phyllis Anstey, DARTMOUTH S.Devon - 0'49"

18. "Highway hazards": Mr Patt, LANDKEY, Barnstaple, N.Devon - 3'42"

19. "Coach and carrier": Annie Crebur, WEST CHARLETON - 2'52"

20. "Charlie and the jam pot": Mrs Vickery, CULLOMPTON - 1.54"

21. "The Morty Unlucky Old Chap" sung by Jack Hunt, IVYBRIDGE, S.Devon (rec by Peter Kennedy) - 1'53"

Recorded & edited by Peter Kennedy and first published on Folktrax cassettes 1977.

FTX-401 - 'AIVE DOWN YOUR PRONG - The ups & downs of farming

FTX-403 - DID EE EVER YUR TELL ? - Sayings, stories, recitations & tall-tales

FTX-404 - FRAWZIES AND SCUMPY - Traditional repast & refreshment

FTX-411 - THATCHERS TALK - A Somerset and a Dorset thatcher

FTX-412 - WEST COUNTRY FOLKLORE - Dialect speakers from Cornwall, Devon, Dorset & Somerset

FTX-086 - TALES & TUNES OF OLD DEVON - A selection of songs & dances

FTX-087 - Devon fiddler - FRED PIDGEON of Stockland - 30 dance tunes & talk