Lived: Washford, Roadwater, Williton
Recording made: 2001
Length of recording: 2 hrs 22 mins
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DR GLYN COURT
Born:
Washford,
Somerset, 1924
Lived:
Washford,
Roadwater, Williton
Recording made: 2001
Length of recording: 2 hrs 22 mins
To read a summary of the contents of the oral history recordings click CD1 or CD2.
Listen to an audio clip by clicking wma or mp3. (Click here for information about downloading audio clips)
Glyn Court is an academic and gatherer of old songs and stories. He has spent the last 30 years writing a history of the Roadwater valley, up to the 18th century. His family have lived in the parish for over 200 years. His grandfather was a preacher with the Bible Christian Chapel, riding 30,000 miles in 66 years; his father followed suit, as has he.
At 14, he discovered languages. With the aid of a book he taught himself German, French and Dutch, adding others - Norwegian, Spanish, Portuguese - later on. It was Portuguese which helped him becoming Brain of Britain in 1973.
After university and the army, he started teaching and became involved in local and national politics. He was one of the first Liberals on the county council, when people crossed the street to avoid speaking to his wife. He says being a Liberal, and his time in Burma, are two of the most important parts of his life.