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John Bush (1867-1959)

John Bush was born in Horning, near Wroxham on the Norfolk Broads, in 1867. His father was a farm worker, and John followed in his footsteps. He married Jane Spooner in 1900, whose father had farmed in Upper Street, Hoveton. It looks as if John Bush took on their farm when the Spooners moved to a bigger farm in East Tuddenham in 1897, as in the 1901 census he is listed as a farmer in his own right in Upper Street, Hoveton, with the same neighbours as the Spooners had. He and Jane remained in Hoveton and brought up their own family.

Stuart Bush with a farm stencil from John Bush's farm.

His grandson, Stuart Bush, remembered him playing in the 1940s/50s. Stuart said that he played mainly at home, and his repertoire included ‘American tunes, civil war, cowboy tunes’. John also played melodeon (old-style 4 stop in C).

John Bush died early in 1959, aged 91.

Stuart inherited the dulcimer and as some bridges were missing, he got a local wood-turner to replace them. Stuart and his father got strings from Wilson’s in Norwich.

a	b

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Click on a thumbnail to see a larger picture

Photo descriptions & sources

Main photos: John Bush and his wife Jane (from the family)

a. John Bush's dulcimer front (John Howson)

b. John Bush's dulcimer back (JH)

c. John Bush's dulcimer bridges  (JH)

d. John Bush's dulcimer stand (JH)

e. John Bush's dulcimer profile (John Howson)

f.  John Bush's tuning keys (John Howson)