Saving The Dying Derbyshire Dialect?

4 December 2008

‘It’s flinkerin’ wi snow up in the Peak’…. To you and me that’s ancient Derbyshire speak explaining that it’s beginning to snow in the Peak District!

It’s just a flavour of the dying embers of the Derbyshire dialect that have been rescued by former dairy farmer and University of Derby student Philip Holland as part of his degree research.

This quaint old saying and other gems – ‘As lesh as a pig trough’ (you’re attractive) and ‘Ay up, surrey, owart?’ (greeting a friend) have been captured in Philip’s absorbing new book Words of the White Peak – the disappearing dialect of Derbyshire.

Mature student Philip gets his just rewards for his creative flair when he collects a 2:1 in his BA (Hons) in English and Creative Writing degree, at our Awards Ceremonies in Buxton on Saturday (December 6). He is one of 175 students preparing to don mortar boards and gowns as they collect their final certificates in the splendour of the town’s Devonshire Campus.

His work has captured the imagination of the local population. It has only recently gone on sale and has already sold 250 copies – with Philip hoping it can become a county best seller.

As part of his course, Philip, 58, was on a one man mission to rescue the words, phrases and pronunciations of the Peak District. Another interesting example relates to his own former occupation, about the noise a ewe makes when it is about to give birth: ‘Hummerin’ fer lambin”.

Words of the White Peak was based on Philip’s independent study and for his research he interviewed more than 150 people ranging from nine to 88 years of age. He said: “It’s interesting that regional ways of speaking are very popular at the moment. You only have to listen to the BBC to realise that accents are in vogue. However, local dialects are more or less gone.

“I’m Derbyshire born and bred and I want to ensure some of the language that I grew up with is preserved for future generations. I know I can’t prolong forever the way my father and grandfathers and those before spoke, but there’s a legacy I desperately want to protect and creating this historical and cultural record goes some way toward doing that.”

After leaving school at 16, writing books and going to university was not an option as Philip started work on his father’s farm in Earl Sterndale, near Buxton. He took over the family business at 22 and for the next 30 years Philip worked full time as a dairy farmer, immersing himself in his family life and the cultures and customs of his rural community.

Diagnosed with muscular dystrophy in 2003 he passed the farm on to his brother. It was at this point that he realised he needed something else to occupy his time, energy and imagination.

Philip, who lives in Lismore Rd, Buxton, enrolled on the BA Hons in English and Creative Writing degree course and found student life was different to his expectations.

He said: “I was a complete fish out of water in my first year, I found it quite challenging. The terminology was strange to me, my lack of computer skills were a hindrance, I really just wanted to write and for my lecturers to tell me if it was any good or not.

“But my tutors were ceaselessly supportive and my group was incredibly encouraging. Even now we’ve finished we still meet regularly to critique each other’s work and share our new creations.”

Teresa Barnard, Senior Lecturer in English at the University, said: “I first started teaching Philip just as he entered his second year in the Humanities at Buxton.

“It is not always easy to enter higher education as a mature student - you might know what to expect but you don't always know how well you will cope with the new challenges - but right from the start, Philip was clearly dedicated to his studies and determined to achieve success.

“With his rich and varied life experiences, he added so much energy and creativity to the classes, not least a remarkable knowledge of Peak District culture and custom and a self-deprecating sense of humour.”

A special introduction to the book by Her Grace the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire says: ”This book has been written just in time. The richness of a fast disappearing vocabulary…is very fascinating to people who are only accustomed to voices and words heard on the radio and television.”

Words of the White Peak is available in Derbyshire bookstores including shops on the Chatsworth Estate and the Farming Life Centre in Blackwell, near Buxton.

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For further media information please contact Annabel Harvey on 01332 593004 or email: a.harvey@derby.ac.uk.