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A Folklorist Looks at Ice-Cream Vans

  • 16/06/2023
  • 17:30-18:30
  • Online and at 50 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 5BT

The 2023 Folklore Society Presidential Address

Prof. Owen Davies (University of Hertfordshire)

Friday 16 June 2023, 17:30-18:30

‘A Folklorist Looks at Ice-Cream Vans’

From tales of drugs to enchanting music & monkey’s blood, this tour of the folklore of ice-cream vans will visit some surprising places.

The motorized ice-cream van plays a distinctive role in British culture, often redolent of fond childhood memories, yet its folklore has been little researched. Since their advent in the 1950s, these distinctive vehicles and their pleasurable melting delights have accrued a fascinating range of legends and beliefs, from tales of gangland turf wars and drug dealing to enchanting music and monkey’s blood. Take a tour with Professor Owen Davies through the liminal world of the ice-cream van.

Owen Davies is Professor of Social History at the University of Hertfordshire and the current President of the Folklore Society.

The lecture will be delivered both to virtual attendees and an in-person audience at 50 Fitzroy Street. In-person attendance is restricted to Folklore Society members attending the Annual General Meeting of The Folklore Society from 18:30-19:30.

Society members should contact The Folklore Society to register for the AGM and book to attend the lecture in person. Please note: Society members may observe the AGM online at the same time, but only those present at 50 Fitzroy Street may vote.

Tickets from Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-folklorist-looks-at-ice-cream-vans-tickets-568096972337 to attend Prof. Davies’ Presidential Address online. Tickets are free, but we welcome donations to The Folklore Society. If you would like to make a donation, please select either the Free Admission with Donation ticket type when registering via Eventbrite, and enter the amount you wish to donate, or the Free Admission ticket type and make your donation via our Folklore Society CAF Donate page. Thank you.