In this special guest blog, Callum, a young learner who undertook a supported placement at DHC, explores some of our records relating to LGBT+ records held at Dorset History Centre.
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The stories of individuals who existed outside the status quo are often heart-breaking, standing as symbols to how damaging existing under such prejudice is and by extension, reminders never to go back. While I am an advocate for remembering those who faced such adversity, for this post I am going to delve into a more uplifting story of two entertainers who led their lives pursuing passion and joy.
Norman Notley was an opera singer, a quiet individual hired by Hilda Spencer-Watson as a singer in her dance mimes; he would frequent their residence in Purbeck when Mary Spencer-Watson was a child and, in an interview, Mary recounts that Norman fell in love with the area and sought to live there himself, eventually doing just that.
David Brindley engendered excitement wherever he went, serving as a source of endless tales for all. Before moving to Purbeck with Norman, he would sing at a theatre called the ‘Lyric Hammersmith’ in London, as well as perform on the radio. Just after the First World War, when he acquired a substantial inheritance, David bought a small cottage in Purbeck near Corfe Castle that the two entitled the “Crock-Pot”. They went on to record many songs together throughout their time there, many of which being Elizabethan operas, and played a role in the larger artistic community in the area, becoming part of the ‘New English Singers’ and contributing to the early music revival of the 1900s.
In what I find to be an absolutely adorable audio clip recorded in 1979, the couple (now in their 80s – 90s) can be heard reminiscing over their past works, talking directly with the microphone, drawing you in to the scene as though you were in the room. Norman begins by exclaiming his delight that the records had been rediscovered, stating there were almost too many to recall before speaking of David’s exploits in recording them despite not really knowing how to handle “mechanical things”. This is accompanied by contagious giggling from David in the background who comments on Norman’s stuttering while trying to be careful with his wording, jokingly stating
“I don’t know anything about anything! I do everything with the courage of ignorance.”
Despite living in a time full of discrimination towards the LGBT+ community they remained positive individuals, producing wonderful works that served as both self-fulfilment and entertainment for others. The story of these two delightful individuals stands as a lovely piece of LGBT+ history and a strong testament to the beautiful things people can create when they are allowed to be themselves.
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Notley and Brindley feature in one of the films of the Windrose project, and more information can be seen on their website: http://closeencounters-mediatrail.org.uk/.
This film is just one remarkable offering from the extensive Windrose film collection which has found a new home at DHC, and is currently being added into our collections. You can find out more about the Windrose collection at ‘Dorset Life on Film‘, an event to be held at Dorchester Corn Exchange on Saturday 6 April.
