In the late 1920s Harvard-educated folklorist James Madison Carpenter travelled across the Atlantic to record ballads sung by Bell Duncan, an 80-year-old woman from Forgue, Aberdeenshire. The 300 recordings made by James and Bell are now part of an extensive collection of North East folk songs, part of the James Madison Carpenter Collection held at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC.

At this Friday Lunch, Thomas McKean, Director of the Elphinstone Institute at the University of Aberdeen, will talk about how the university has been working with the Library of Congress to enhance the knowledge and understanding of this important collection of ballads. The Elphinstone Institute is a research organisation committed to promoting and celebrating the language, culture and traditions in the North and North-East of Scotland through scholarship, community projects and events. Tom will explain to us why he thinks Aberdeenshire is the “ballad capital of the world”, before playing us some recordings from the James Madison Carpenter Collection and singing some songs.

Come along to hear about the Elphinstone Institute’s work and enjoy a free tasty meal – no booking required just turn up. Lunch will be a vegan Moroccan chickpea and spinach soup served with crusty bread and g/f oatcakes.

Accessibility

Friday Lunch is usually attended by 15-25 people. It takes place in Square Deal (22 The Square, Huntly AB54 8BR), the creative and community hub on Huntly Square. There is a guide to visiting Square Deal online here. This includes information on travelling to the venue, photos and plans of the space, and sensory information.

This is a family friendly event and children are very welcome. We have highchairs and children’s cutlery/crockery available.

There are facilities for heating up your own food if desired and you are welcome to bring your own lunch if you prefer.

This event is free, but donations of £2 to cover the cost of ingredients and any access costs for the speaker are welcomed.

Allergens/dietary Notes

The soup has chickpeas and stock containing celery. Food at this event is prepared in a kitchen that may have traces of nuts, seeds, dairy and other allergens. Everything is clearly labelled and there are always vegan and gluten free options. Please let us know if you are planning on coming along and have any food allergies by emailing: bruce@deveron-projects.com

About the HOME Programme

This event is part of our HOME Programme. Through regular events and artists’ residencies, HOME supports the everyday and creative practices of cooking and eating, chatting and caring, sharing skills and learning together. HOME regular events include Friday Lunch, as well as the monthly Food Chain cookery workshop and a stall at the Huntly Farmers' Market. These events celebrate local knowledge and experiences, and explore what it's like to live and work in and around Huntly. Through this work we aim to build more complex understandings of Huntly and its place in the world. If you'd like to contribute to the HOME Programme, or know someone who you'd love to hear from, then get in touch with us on: info@deveron-projects.com.

Photo by Phoebe McBride