Peter Shepheard recorded The Waysailing Bowl from ‘Old Harry’ Aldrich on 25 April 1966 at the George Hotel, Frocester. He also sang him The Blackbird’s Nest.
‘Old Harry’ Giles Aldrich from Frocester was a labourer at Church Farm where he lived at Church Farm cottage with his son, Ron. In his youth, he was one of the group of Wassailers who would travel from door to door with a wooden wassail bowl filled with ale. Thereafter, every January, he would see in the New Year at the George pub by giving a rendition of the Wassail song. See the Cotswold Life article on this subject here.
Harry was married to Kate Hannah/Anna Grace Aldridge and had at least two children: Ronald Walter Aldridge who was baptised 1st November 1930 in Frocester and four years later on 4th November 1934 Peggy Doreen Aldridge was also was baptised in Frocester.
Note by Gwilym Davies November 2011