The "Larruperz" of Ross On Wye (General)

by Jefff , West London, Middlesex, Friday, February 21, 2014, 15:36 (3929 days ago) @ sophiewilliams

What a post ! :-)
When I first saw the word "Larruperz" alonside your mention of pianos I immediately thought it was perhaps a Polish composer's name or maybe a piano maker, thought I might need to contact a pianotuner friend of mine. However a quick search revealed this wouldn't have helped at all !!,

"To “larrup” in the dictionary is defined as “to thrash”. Winifred Foley in her “Child in the Forest” refers to “larruping” as getting a good hiding for bad behaviour. But when a group of thirteen men banded together in 1921 and called themselves “The Larruperz” they had something quite different in mind. They meant “having a good time”, what today we would call “socialising”. They enjoyed each other’s company, drank a bit (not such a lot because as Mrs Taynton, the widow of Bob Taynton, one of the original thirteen pointed out, they didn’t really have a great deal of money to spend). They made music together and formed a dance orchestra. Obviously they had a great sense of fun and this is shown clearly in photos of the group at Ross Carnivals and on other occasions when they met together and enjoyed the comradeship. Most remained friends all their lives."

From http://www.thelarruperzcentre.org.uk/about.html
with a great photo too http://www.thelarruperzcentre.org.uk/ESW/Images/LARRUPEREZMEN.jpg

I know of (and have received) a good(?) larrup in the past, but would never have made the link, another great old word that's probably dying out rapidly.

As you say it looks like you really need to visit their centre, altho probably worth contacting them in advance first. Glad to hear you are local to the Dean, it's hard to tell as this forum gets many overseas visitors too, I'm an exile in West London.
This looks a subject ideal for searching-out in old newspapers, as well as writing letters to editors of current papers requesting help, have you tried these methods ?, I do think they'll help you.

Busy times here at the mo what with the school holidays, may explain why the forum's quiet (plus the curling today). I'll contact you asap re the Constances, take care, Jeff.

PS also see http://www.wyenot.com/news/2010-09-01-04.htm