Suffolk Players

This is an alphabetical list of the known historical dulcimer players in Suffolk. 

Names highlighted in yellow will lead you to individual pages with portraits, biographies and photos of their instruments.

The best-known players from Suffolk were Reg Reader and his grandfather Charlie Philpot, and Walter Finter, who was also a maker.


BARKWAY, F. – Brockdish /Needham

BATES, C. – Beccles

BENDALL, Mr – Rattlesden

BRAND, Miss M. – Thelnetham

BRINKLEY, Mr. – Walton (Felixstowe)

CHURCHARD, B. – Bury St. Edmunds

CULLUM, Mr. – Lowestoft

DAVIES, Miss Marie – Famlingham

ELSEY, John – Stuston

FAIRWEATHER, Master Walter – Framlingham

FINTER, Walter – Needham Market

FOULSHAM, Robert – Huntingfield

GREEN, Mr. – Lowestoft

HOLLAND, W. – Riddlesworth

MILLER, Mr. – Ipswich

NEWSOM, MR. – Framlingham

PARNELL, Ernest – Beccles

PEARCE, Lennie – Woodbridge

PHILPOT, Charlie – Yoxford

PHILPOT, James  – Halesworth 

READER,  Reg – Knodishall 

ROBERTS, MR. – Badwell Ash

RUMSBY family – Palgrave

SACHS, A.E. – Ipswich

SCARPE, John – Ipswich

SEAMAN, Charlie & Bertie – Darsham

SHEMMING, Samuel – Hoxne

SHEMMING, Stanley – Ipswich

SMITH, Charles – Glemsford

SPARKS, Alick – Rattlesden

SPARKS, Tommy – Rattlesden

STAMMERS, Jimmy – Westhall

STEBBINGS, John – Bury St Edmunds

WEBB, Mr. – Beccles/Ipswich

WOODS, H.J. – Thrandeston

WOODS, Thomas – Market Weston

WRIGHT, C. – Bury St Edmunds

WRIGHT, Cyril – Ipswich


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