The Story of “a Lincolnshire Man”

For me, history is the story of the people who came before us and influenced our lives by the way they lived theirs. Maurice (Mo) Ogg (1946-1980) was a local Lincolnshire man. He was well known on the national folk scene for his work preserving and promoting the songs of the working people of North Lincolnshire. Mo was a mainstay of the thriving North Lincolnshire folk scene of the 1970’s and is still remembered today. He was a popular character who touched the lives of those he met. Mo died young. But his influence has lived on in the voices of those still involved in traditional song, music and dance.

Mo was a self-taught craftsman. He had unique access to the older members of the community around where he lived in the village of Coleby. Going into their houses to work he spoke to people about ‘the old songs’. Many of his customers told him about the traditions of their childhood. They also sang him the songs they remembered. He collected many songs which were unique to the area. Mo also collected tunes, dances and memories of the ‘plough plays’ that were once performed in early January each year. In 1973 he was instrumental in resurrecting the ‘Coleby Plough Jag Play’. The Coleby Plough Jag has recently celebrated 50 years since it’s revival.

These songs, tunes and stories may not have the obvious appeal of a rare oil painting or the value of an Anglo-Saxon hoard. But they are a unique link to the people who lived and worked in the local area. People who often toiled long hours for low wages, long before the introduction of state education and the NHS. The songs represent their hopes and fears. The stories tell of how they interpreted their lives and occupied the long dark evenings.

I moved to the area three years after Mo’s untimely death. But he has been a part of my 40 year experience of the folk scene in North Lincolnshire. In 1983 I joined Scunthorpe Folk Song Club. Many of the regular singers and musicians remembered performing with Mo. In 2016 they joined Roberta Fulford and I in forming the community group ‘Folk ‘Round ‘Ere.

Although I never knew Mo, I am privileged to call friends, many who did. They have recounted stories of his antics, sung his songs and appeared in the Coleby Plough Jag play he resurrected. These friends include:

• Geoff Convery, who carried on Mo’s songwriting tradition. He has contributed his writing and singing to several Folk ‘Round ‘Ere productions.
• Steve Hindley, singer and musician from the Ceilidh band “Stubble Jumpers”. Organiser of the current Coleby Plough Jag.
• Dave Barlow, webmaster and archivist of the Coleby Plough Jag site.
• John Baker, Plough Jag member and friend of Mo. Well known for singing Mo’s comic song “Sludger Tom” and “The Lincolnshire Shepherd” which Mo set to a local tune.
• Bob Cuthbertson, fellow musician with Mo and musical director of several Folk ‘Round ‘Ere productions.

They are all ‘Lincolnshire Men’ who have continued the traditions that Mo started.

The folk scene is unique in that it flourishes because we love the music so much. It is ‘life’, not ‘work’. The stories Mo told through his songs are the stories of the people of North Lincolnshire. We all feel very strongly that we have a duty to ensure that Mo’s legacy lives on. We hope that future generations can connect to the stories he told through his art. Mo was a singer, a writer, an artist and a performer. Any project in his memory should include all these aspects. It should also involve groups who represent and promote song, spoken word, creative art and drama.

The ‘Lincolnshire Man’ project (working title) is in its early planning stages with the aim of a launch in 2024. Inspired by archive recordings of Mo himself from tapes held in the British Library, and the reminiscences of his friends, we plan to record a selection of the songs and tunes he collected. The songs will be re-interpreted by local singers and musicians. This unique resource will launch with a staged performance. Those involved in its production will collaborate with others new to folk music. The production will be hosted by the Plowright Theatre. It will involve local writers and designers in telling Mo’s stories.

In a similar way to a project we ran in 2017, we will support the work with other creative activities. Such as workshops that encourage local people to get involved in folk performance. This will focus on the Plough Jag play, to ensure its sustainability for the next 50 years. We are also looking for designers interested in reproducing and re-interpreting the unique costumes of the Plough Jag. Also dancers willing to learn the traditional Broom and Sword dances Mo revived.

We have started to collect the oral histories behind Mo’s songs by talking to those who knew him. So much of what we need is only available in the memories of local people. Mo often added drawings to his song notes and there are old photos we can draw on for inspiration. All together with artefacts such as Mo’s musical instruments and some of the Plough Jag costumes will feature in an exhibition in November 2024 curated by North Lincolnshire Museum.

We can make this project of local, regional and even national importance. We are working on attracting funding for:

• A CD with booklet
• Concerts
• Workshops for writers and performers
• Textiles and stage design
• A permanent display in the Rural Life Museum at Normanby Hall Country Park.

Interested in supporting us or taking an active part in the project? Then please get in touch via email at folkroundere@gmail.com.

We would like to thank the Coleby Plough Jag for letting us use some of their photographs. More information on the Coleby Plough Jag can be found on: https://colebyploughjag.com