John Simons will give an illustrated talk on Ella Mary Leather and the classic book ‘The Folk-Lore of Herefordshire’ at Rossiter Books in Ross-on-Wye on Wednesday, July 11th at 7pm.

Ella Mary Leather’s ‘The Folk-lore of Herefordshire’ was first published in 1912 and has remained a bible for the folklore of the county, and even the folklore of the country, ever since.

Living in Weobley, Ella gathered much of her material from cottage dwellers, workhouse residents and gypsy families living in the vicinity in the early 1900s, moving on in later years to record, by use of a phonograph, songs and carols, sometimes in the company of Ralph Vaughan Williams. Apart from the songs and carols, her writings include cures for remedies, local sayings, Morris dance tunes and dances, love divinations, and tales of ghosts and fairies.

This facsimile edition of her book also includes a biographical portrait of Ella written by John Simons who lives in Castle House in Weobley, which had been the Leather family home. Here were found portraits of Ella, along with an album of her photographs – some of which are reproduced here for the first time – and other pieces of information which have helped inform the biography.

Tickets for the event are £3 and available from Rossiter Books, Ross (01989 564464), and online via: rossiterbooks.co.uk