Uploaded May 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
here's Sea Shanty Original Poem read by its author Dorothy Rose Gribble Rare Vinyl record
DR, History of the Studio
The History of Dorothy Rose Gribble and her Studio
Dorothy Rose Gribble, fondly called "D.R.", was born in 1917 in Totnes, Devon, England. and came to live in Highclere in the 1950’s from Barnet in London. She was a descendant of John Milton, the poet. Her great interest and love of the arts flourished in the village, at Westridge Studio. She held monthly soirees and her solo recitals there under the auspices of A PRIDE OF WRITERS.
The Studio was available for artists (of all kinds) to use and gave much enjoyment to all, with its character and intimate atmosphere as a venue for small gatherings. Her bequest of the Studio to the community was a most generous gift for which we are most grateful, and in her memory we wish to see it in full use again.
History of the Westridge Studio
In 1960, Mrs Dorothy P. Layton- Benett, DR's mother bought the old Chapel. It was to be part of the Westridge Healing Centre she had established in 1959 at Westridge. The Highclere Arts and Crafts Group began in 1978 and later became the Tuesday Group branch of the Newbury Art Group. There were many exhibitions over the years including Family Treasures, a Commonwealth exhibition and Links with Africa. There was also an exhibition representing local literature, music and visual art to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of HM Queen Elizabeth II. DR's centre in Westridge was dedicated to Healing Studies but the Westridge drawing room, gardens and the Studio were made available for visiting recitals. DR's company "Plantagenet Productions" was based at Westridge Studio.
Dorothy Rose - DR
Dorothy Rose Jessie Gribble was an actress, known for Doctor Who (1963), Monitor (1958) and ITV Play of the Week (1955). She died on 1st October 2014 and bequeathed Westridge Studio to the village of Highclere to be used for the Arts.
here's Sea Shanty Original Poem read by its author Dorothy Rose Gribble Rare Vinyl record
DR, History of the Studio
The History of Dorothy Rose Gribble and her Studio
Dorothy Rose Gribble, fondly called "D.R.", was born in 1917 in Totnes, Devon, England. and came to live in Highclere in the 1950’s from Barnet in London. She was a descendant of John Milton, the poet. Her great interest and love of the arts flourished in the village, at Westridge Studio. She held monthly soirees and her solo recitals there under the auspices of A PRIDE OF WRITERS.
The Studio was available for artists (of all kinds) to use and gave much enjoyment to all, with its character and intimate atmosphere as a venue for small gatherings. Her bequest of the Studio to the community was a most generous gift for which we are most grateful, and in her memory we wish to see it in full use again.
History of the Westridge Studio
In 1960, Mrs Dorothy P. Layton- Benett, DR's mother bought the old Chapel. It was to be part of the Westridge Healing Centre she had established in 1959 at Westridge. The Highclere Arts and Crafts Group began in 1978 and later became the Tuesday Group branch of the Newbury Art Group. There were many exhibitions over the years including Family Treasures, a Commonwealth exhibition and Links with Africa. There was also an exhibition representing local literature, music and visual art to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of HM Queen Elizabeth II. DR's centre in Westridge was dedicated to Healing Studies but the Westridge drawing room, gardens and the Studio were made available for visiting recitals. DR's company "Plantagenet Productions" was based at Westridge Studio.
Dorothy Rose - DR
Dorothy Rose Jessie Gribble was an actress, known for Doctor Who (1963), Monitor (1958) and ITV Play of the Week (1955). She died on 1st October 2014 and bequeathed Westridge Studio to the village of Highclere to be used for the Arts.
![Jean Ritchie & her Guitar singing Pretty Fair Miss Appalachian Mountain Song Rare 78 rpm
Heres Jean Ritchie singing accompanied by her Guitar singing Pretty Fair Miss an Appalachian Mountain Song from a rare 78 rpm shellac record released in 1953.
Jean Ruth Ritchie (December 8, 1922 – June 1, 2015) was an American folk singer, songwriter, and Appalachian dulcimer player,[1] called by some the Mother of Folk.[2] In her youth she learned hundreds of folk songs in the traditional way (orally, from her family and community), many of which were Appalachian variants of centuries old British and Irish songs, including dozens of Child Ballads.[3][4] In adulthood, she shared these songs with wide audiences,[5] as well as writing some of her own songs using traditional foundations.[4] She is ultimately responsible for the revival of the Appalachian dulcimer, the traditional instrument of her community, which she popularized by playing the instrument on her albums and writing tutorial books.[4] She also spent time collecting folk music in the United States and in Britain and Ireland,[6][7] in order to research the origins of her family songs and help preserve traditional music.[4] She inspired a wide array of musicians, including Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Shirley Collins, Joni Mitchell, Emmylou Harris and Judy Collins.[5][8][9] Jean Ritchie & her Guitar singing Pretty Fair Miss Appalachian Mountain Song Rare 78 rpm](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xsFSKoCmKmg/mqdefault.jpg)

![This England - A Coronation Toast 2 of 2 Traditional English Medley Debroy Somers Band 78 rpm
HeresThis England - A Coronation Toast 2 of 2 Traditional English Medley Debroy Somers Band from a 78 rpm shellac record
Debroy Somers (born William Henry Somers, 11 April 1890[1] in Dublin[2] – 16 May 1952 in London)[3] was a British twentieth-century big band bandleader.[4]
He had trained as a musician at the Duke of Yorks Royal Military School in Chelsea,[5] and continued his studies in Dublin under Signor Michele Esposito at The Royal Irish Academy of Music in 1904.[6] At the age of 15 he joined the 2nd Battalion the Royal Irish Regiment as a boy bandsman before retiring in 1913.[7] He rejoined his old regiment in 1916 retiring as a sergeant musician in 1918; being demobilised in Wiltshire.[8]
His period of celebrity stretched from the 1920s to the 1940s.[6] He appeared in numerous films, including Second Choice, Stars on Parade and Aunt Sally,[9] and founded the Savoy Orpheans. On 15 June 1925, Somers conducted the first British performance of George Gershwins Rhapsody in Blue from the Savoy Hotel with the Orpheans, alongside the Savoy Havana Band and Gershwin himself on piano. The performance was broadcast live by the BBC.[10]
His ensemble, the Debroy Somers Band, was also known as the Midnight Minstrels.[11] In 1930, they covered Amy, Wonderful Amy, a song about Amy Johnson.[12] Before the war Somers was a regular broadcaster on Radio Luxembourg, acting as musical director for several regular shows, including the childrens show Ovaltineys and Shipmates Ashore for the Merchant Navy.[13] In 1943 he returned to Londons West End to direct the hit show The Lisbon Story at the Hippodrome.[14] He was also director for Tom Arnold and Robert Nesbitts production of Latin Quarter at the London Casino in 1949.[15] His last production was as musical director for George Formbys Zip Goes a Million at the Palace Theatre in 1951, but he collapsed and died during the run of the show in May 1952, aged 62.[14]
Somers married a widow Doddy Payne (nee Watts) on 9 September 1912 in Fulham, London;[16] she already had three children from her previous marriage.[8] The family home remained in Twickenham, Surrey for many years.[1] This England - A Coronation Toast 2 of 2 Traditional English Medley Debroy Somers Band 78 rpm](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/zASk19y--8M/mqdefault.jpg)
![Norfolk The British Drama League Lyntone Flexi record reissue of 1920s 78 rpm Gramophone Record
Heres Norfolk The British Drama League Lyntone Flexi record reissue of 1920s 78 rpm Gramophone Record
organisation established in 1919 to promote amateur and professional theatre in England, with a head office based at Fitzroy Square, London. It was founded by Geoffrey Whitworth. Its work included pursuing the creation of the National Theatre, offering library and research services, founded the journal Drama in 1919, and encouraging the introduction of drama into the national curriculum.[1] Its name was changed to the British Theatre Association in 1972.[2] The Association was disbanded in 1990, due to financial pressures. Play scripts held in its archive are now in the possession of the Theatre Museum, London.[1 Norfolk The British Drama League Lyntone Flexi record reissue of 1920s 78 rpm Gramophone Record](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/zIc_NuAl8iY/mqdefault.jpg)


