(Written by Amanda Chambers, Heritage Consultant)

Over the years O&C Butcher has maintained a valuable presence in Aldeburgh, serving local residents and increasingly international customers.

But one special relationship stands out, as from 1953 until his death in 1976, classical composer Benjamin Britten was a regular customer.

Britten moved to Aldeburgh in 1947 where he lived with his partner Peter Pears at Crag House overlooking the sea front. The house was an inspirational setting for the composer but also convenient being so close to the town.

A local store for everyday needs

It had been known that Britten shopped at O&C Butcher, so as part of our Heritage Project research last year, we were able to study a full collection of receipts at the Red House Archive where Britten’s papers are held.

These receipts give a wonderful, personal insight into his everyday clothing needs - from good quality jumpers and shirts to trousers and socks - and reveal his domestic relationship to our store and the Aldeburgh High Street.

Britten in denim!

From a clothing point of view, Britten is perhaps best known for his evening wear, country tweeds and sports outfits, so it was a surprise to find that the first receipt in the collection was for denim overalls and a pair of wellington boots.

It paints quite a different image of the composer - but with a bit more research, we began to understand why.

The 1953 North Sea Flood

On 31st January 1953 a storm surge hit the East Anglian coast and flooded many of the properties in Aldeburgh especially along Crag Path where Britten lived at that time.

His property had been badly flooded but luckily with the help of collaborator and composer Imogen Holst (also known as ‘Imo’), his manuscripts were rescued.

Britten made his first purchase at O&C Butcher on the 3rd February only a few days after the storm, so he was clearly in a hurry to clean up his property and needed kitting out!

Gloriana

It was also a tense time for Britten creatively as he had been commissioned to compose an opera for the Queen’s Coronation, so when the storm hit he was right in the middle of composing it.

This story was staged last year at the RSC in Stratford - entitled ‘Ben and Imo’. The play deals mainly with Britten and Imogen Holst and their struggles to complete the Opera, entitled ‘Gloriana’. In the second half, the flood takes centre stage - but sadly Britten’s trip to O&C Butcher was not included, so we never quite saw Britten on stage in his denim overalls.

We hope to bring you more details of Britten’s O&C Butcher receipts in a forthcoming talk this year in collaboration with the Red House - so please look out for more details.

Further reading:

The 1953 North Sea Flood
A history of Denim
Britten’s opera ‘Gloriana’
Ben and Imo trailer
The Red House Archive