Folk Singer Jim Causley pays musical tribute to Charles Causley's poems

Charles Causley’s papers, including draft manuscripts of the poems which Jim Causley set to music, are held in the University’s Heritage Collections. As part of his research for developing his recent album of songs based on Charles Causley’s work, Jim visited Heritage Collections in order to study these papers which included the poems Dan Dory, Timothy Winters and Who? He also chose photographs from the Causley archive to use inside the CD sleeve of his album.

Jim said:“As most of Charles' belongings had been removed from his house 'Cyprus Well' I was very excited when I learnt that the Special Collections Archive at the University of Exeter held Charles' personal notebooks and photograph collections. 

I deeply regret that I never got to meet him in person so being able to pore through his notebooks and diaries, discover his handwriting, read his words and witness him trying out ideas for poems both familiar and unfinished was a tremendous joy. Not to mention discovering his personal photograph albums which give you another way of quite literally seeing through the poet’s eyes and through the kind permission of the Special Collections team I was able to utilise these resources and make the album that much more personal and special.”

The album, which is named Cyprus Well, after the name of Charles Causley’s house in Launceston, and actually recorded there, was released this summer and has been well received in the national press. 

Christine  Faunch, Head of Heritage Collections said:“We are really fortunate at Exeter to own Charles Causley’s archive and book collection, which contains a wealth of fascinating material illustrating his creative and personal life.  It was wonderful to be able to welcome Jim here to consult these.”

The gig in conjunction with the University’s Arts and Culture team and the Heritage Collections starts at 7.30pm on 6 November in the University’s dedicated music space, in Kay House Duryard, Lower Argyll Road, Exeter EX4 4RG.

This event marks the 10th anniversary of Charles Causley’s death and copies of manuscripts of some his poems will be on display on the night.

Entry to the event is by advance booking only. Tickets £10 (Students £8) are available through the Northcott Theatre Box office, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QB. Tel: 01392 493493 or online. For more information about the event please visit the University's arts and culture website.