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Horncastle News, Wednesday, June 15, 2011

15

MORe News, MORe sPORT, MORe LOCAL, MORe VALUe

A nod and a wink to the old Lincolnshire dialect

Farmer keeps traditional county language rolling off the tongue
By Alison sandilands
alison.sandilands@jpress.co.uk

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INGOLDMELLS VILLAGE MARKET

F YOU asked famous yellerbelly Farmer Wink to count to ten, you might think he was having you on.
The figurehead for true Lincolnshire dialect would say: Yan, tan, tethera, fethera, lethera, sethera, hovvera, covvera, dick. And if you asked for directions, it would be gee for left and hauve for right. While this kind of talk has largely died off in the county, 60-year-old Wink, real name Robert Carlton, continues to fly the flag for the dialect he grew up with on the farm. Not even getting caned at school, and being told to speak normally has stopped him from speaking the way that comes naturally to him. He said: Sometimes when I go into a shop, they would not understand a word I am saying. Its a job talking to people on the phone. Years ago people didnt go anywhere, even going to the next road (roo-ad) there would be a different accent. This is the way my dad taught me to speak. When you were driving a shire horse, he would say gee for turn right and hauve for turn left. Farmer Wink thinks people should be proud of their accents and dialect and sympathises with celebrities such as Cheryl Cole, whose Geordie accent allegedly lost her the judging spot on American Idol, because people could not understand her. You should be proud of your accent, he said. The unassuming local celebrity remains stalwartly traditional in

Farmer Wink thinks people should be proud of their regional accents, like he is of his.

other ways as well. Notably his food. He said: I love old fashioned Lincolnshire food. Jam puddings steamed in cloth, Lincolnshire sausages and stuffed chine. But it is the authentic food not the fly-away stuff. Farmer Wink currently lives on Amber Holme Farm at Hatton, with his brother Little Wink (Richard Carlton, aka Dick). He rose to fame a few years ago after BBC Lincolnshire were astounded after receiving a phonecall from him over some farming issues, and were flabagasted by him. Wink was invited in and subsequently got a Friday morning slot and was featured in two films: Farmer Wink 1 and 2. His profile soared and he used his reputation to support various charity events, helping to raise thousands for different causes. But he still remains down to earth and is content spending time on his farm. He said: I have never ever seen the Humber Bridge. I have never been on holiday because my dad always said theres more here than anywhere outside Lincolnshire. I remember going to the cinema once in Lincoln, in 1957, and I havent been since. Instead, he enjoys spending his spare time gardening. I love my animals. he said. We have the Lincoln Red and used to have the oldest long-wool sheep (Grandma) who was 29. Farmer Wink is due to visit Wragby Primary School today (Wednesday) to give a talk on Lincolnshire dialect.

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Heres a quick run-down of some of the phrases attributed to the Lincolnshire dialect.
(of a hearty eater) - Id as leave keep two pigs as im. Id as leave keep him for a week as a fortnight. (of someone who talks `fine) - Hes cut his mouth on a brocken bottle. (of a lucky person) - If he fell off Burtons, hed land in a suit! (of a bad tempered person) - She got up backside first. (of a cross-eyed person) One eye in the pot, and the other up the chimney. (of a casual or unreliable person) - He was come day, go day, God send Sunday. (of something to be done immediately) - Ill do it before I screw my leg off. (of someone changing their underwear before going out) - I must make a decent accident. (of an inquisitive person) - She/he wants to know far end o Meg/Megs backside. (of a self-interested person) - Hes gor all his buttons on, but theyre all on one side. (of a man carrying a forty gallon barrel) - By gom, now didnt my feet fit my boots with that on my back. (of a bowlegged man) - He couldnt stop a pig in a passage. (of a man wearing a stiff, high collar) - His collar was so high he had to stand up to spit. (of a woman `living it up) - Shell end with her behind on a muck heap. (of someone with a difficult task) - He has a stiff row to hoe. (of someone wishing he was at home) -I wish I had hold of our cats tail. (of someone who becomes enthusiastic as a subject is discussed) - He talks as he warms. (of a blunt knife) - Ride bareback to Paris on it. (of pearls) - Pearls bring tears. (of Fridays) - Friday-best o days, worst o days. (of impending rain) - Its looking black over Wills (or Bills) mothers. (of a showery day)- Its Jack Hawkins day-it keeps coming and going.

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