Countrystride #141: A Cumbrian Christmas Cracker

In the company of Alan Cleaver, Lesley Park, Sue Allan and – on harp and guitar – the Cumbrian Duo, we take a nostalgic trip down memory lane (and beyond) as we learn about seasonal customs from the historic counties of Westmorland and Cumberland: of the 'Waits' who performed dance tunes in isolated valleys; of the 'Merryneets', where dalesfolk would gather for nights of feasting and frivolity; and of the carol-singers of Wasdale, fighting a losing battle against the winter snows.

Turning to dialect, Sue regales us with a miscellany of snow terms from the old tongue and champions works of the tragically underrated Cumbrian Bard, Robert Anderson of Carlisle, while Lesley reads one of the all-time classic Lakeland Christmas poems: 'Down t'Lonning'.

As we move around the county – from the Ambleside postman's path via Buttermere (and its many pies) to a west coast nativity scene – we're accompanied by winter-time tunes from Ed Haslam and Jean Altshuler, including 'Cold and Raw' and the infamous 'Bleckell Murry Neet'.

• Alan's book, A Lake District Christmas, is available from Inspired by Lakeland.

• Sue's book on The Cumberland Bard is available from Books Cumbria.

• The latest CD from the Cumbrian Duo is sold through Willowhayne Music at naxosdirect.co.uk/search/bleckell

• Some of their music can be heard at youtube.com/watch?v=xB9CcJLIxKA and youtube.com/watch?v=jbNzqBBTCHk

• This podcast was recorded at one of our Countrystride Live events. To be first in line for tickets, sign up to our newsletter at countrystride.co.uk/

St Olaf's Church in the snow: it is hereabouts that the Wasdale carol singers walked. Image: Mark Richards.

Our all-star Christmassy cast in the Armitt. Image: Faye Morrissey. After one too many mulled wines, it all got a bit blurry!

Ed and Jean: the Cumbrian Duo.

Absent from the stage line-up – but very much in evidence in the audience: our man in red, the one and only Mark Richards.