About the Kipper Family
"Here we all are then..."The Fiction
The Kipper Family are Truncheons. In that they come from St Just near Trunch, near Trunch in Norfolk (UK). Trunch is not far from the glittering English seaside resort of Cromer, although Trunch does not have a pier, being five miles from the coast.
Only two members of the Kipper Family were ever seen in public: Sid Kipper and his Father Henry Kipper (as far as we know). Henry was one of the foremost regarded folk singers in the country, although he was not sure who the other three were, and with this son they sang great folk songs.. but not quite with the lyrics as you would know them.
Henry passed on a few years back and left Sid to prowl the old Kipper haunts alone. Seeing one of Sid's shows you will be treated to a few of his old songs and a few of his old stories.
Henry and the other Kippers live on in the old recordings which you can buy via this site or elsewhere on the web. And of course Sid is going stronger than ever with his recordings, books and gigs.
Meanwhile this site is dedicated to spreading the word of Kippers.
Word of Kippers, therya
The Non-Fiction
The Kipper Family who toured in the 1980's were Chris Sugden (Sid) and Dick Nudds (Henry). Where Dick was made up to look older as Sid's Father. Henry looked like a true folk singer, white beard and a string to hold up his trousers in lieu of a belt. Sid wore a sharp suit and a kipper tie, very much the spiv. When in public and performing their act they refused ever to come out of character, so much so that they would drink their own Kipper Punch from a demijohn of clear liquid that they bought along. Nothing would shake them from staying in character to the point where you really wondered if they really were a comedy duo, so convincing was the act. When they split as a double act Chris went on his own way as Sid Kipper and eventually had to announce the death of Henry in order to stop people asking if Henry would ever come back. It is rumoured that Dick Nudds now lives as a woman. Will he/she ever make a posthumous comeback?! They were no frauds as far as the comedy variations on the folk songs were concerned. They could certainly sing and the lyrics have stood the test of time. If you want to sample the Kipper Family in full comic flow then the best CD is Fresh Yesterday recorded at Trunch village hall with banter between father and son between the songs.
Sid Kipper (Chris Sugden) has been very successful since the duo split releasing many albums and books. His shows combine his unusual turns of folk songs, of which are genuine unique works of song writing and comedy talent. You will also get treated to some readings from his many literary works not to mention music from a host of his unusual instruments, including the Trunch blowpipes and his not to be missed walnuts.
About the Webmaster & this Trumpet
I saw Sid and Henry together only once. I used to go with my Mother and a friend of hers to the folk club in Thetford. It was the usual thing of listening to the same songs each week. One night there were two men who said they were the Kipper Family, they looked like any other visiting folk singers. It was apparent once they started to sing that they were a little bit more than that. I would say this was roughly 1982-3 and I would have been 12-13 years old. The folk club was never quite the same after that and I hoped in vain every week that Sid and Henry would be there again.
For the next 2 decades I tried to follow up the Sid and Henry gig and I finally first saw Sid again in 2002, which I have followed up a few times since, and subscribed to the Trunch Trumpet mailing. Then I felt the need to create this site in November 2002 to spread the word further and unite all the Kipper links on the 'net. I wrote to Chris Sugden (who ever he is) and asked if he had thought of putting the T.T. online, he said about the internet:
"...I am waiting to see if it's just a passing fad."Chris is fully aware of the site and supplies musings to be put on-line. Due to my starting this site and informing him of it he then decided the time had come to start up his own site: www.sidkipper.co.uk
What sort of person would want to put the Trunch Trumpet online? You may be surprised. Normally more into techno music, most would be surprised to think that I like the Kipper Family. Anyway if you really want to know more about the webmaster have a look at my site: www.justintuijl.com
Note: this site is non-profit and ads appear in order to help with hosting fees only
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