“Songs for a Statue” Podcast

Happy Birthday Mary Anning

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This birthday podcast celebarates both the 224th birthday of palaeontologist Mary Anning who was born in Lyme Regis, Dorset, on May 21st in 1799, and the unveiling of her statue on the same day, and almost the same place, in 2022 by sculptor Denise Dutton which was commissioned by Mary Anning Rocks

We would like to thank all those who took part in the podcast for their time, expertise and thoughts, and for providing photographs which you can see below.

Mrs Ethelston’s Primary Academy Choir
and Cohen Baulch

Pictured at the unveiling of the Mary Anning Statue in Lyme Regis on May 21st 20200 with our BSL interpreter Sarah Ankers (left) and Director Frances M Lynch (right)

“Songs for a Statue”

Episode 24 of the Podcast Series
Women of Science & Music: 30 Celebrations

SPEAKERS:
Anya Pearson – Chair, Mary Anning Rocks
Denise Dutton – Sculptor
Emma Bernard – Palaeontologist, Curator of Fossil Fish, Natural History Museum
Tom Sharpe – Biographer of Mary Anning – “The Fossil Woman”

MUSIC:

  • Frances M Lynch “NOT Mary Anning – She sells sea shells (fossils!) on the sea shore” (2017) for mixed voices; Tongue Twister Song by Terry Sullivan – 1908; performed by the composer and singers from ELECTRIC VOICE THEATRE – Jenny Miller (Mezzo), Laurence Panter (Tenor), Gwion Thomas (Baritone)
  • Judith Bingham “Mary Anning, a history and a mystery” (2012) for solo voice, gravel and rocks – a study of the famous Victorian palaeontologist; words by Mary Anning, Molly Anning, Alfred Lord Tennyson and many more…; performed by Frances M Lynch
  • Judith Weir “I started Early – Took my Dog” from “On the Palmy Beach” (2019) for Soprano, Cello & Piano; words by Emily Dickinson; performed by Frances M Lynch (voice & instruments realised at the keyboard)
  • Winners of the 2022 Mary Anning Children’s Song Competition “A Song for Mary Anning” (2022), produced & arranged by Frances M Lynch & Herbie Clarke: Music and words by Cohen Baulch age 9; Year 3, Newton Poppleford Primary School; Sarah Mirkin age 8; Mabel Slade age 11; Class 1, Hawkchurch Church of England Primary School; Beech Class, Payhembury Primary School: – performed by Mrs Ethelston’s Primary Academy Choir and Cohen Baulch

Released on 21st May 2023 to celebrate Mary Anning’s 224th Birthday!