"AN ENGLISH MEDLEY"

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 152, 23 March 1939, Page 4

"AN ENGLISH MEDLEY"

First Musical Evening Of Royal St. George Society

With traditional English songs and folk dances, the first musical evening of the Royal Society of St. George, Wellington branch, was held last night before a large and appreciative audience. The guest of honour for the evening was Mrs. Knox Gilmer, who spoke about England and English topics. The red and white banner of St. George was displayed in one corner of the English-Speaking Union reception room, the Union Jack and St. George’s flag on miniature standards decorating the president’s table. Bowls of yellow and tawny gold daisies made .lovely splashes of colour under the light. After the concert supper was served.

During the evening it was announced that his, Excellency, Viscount Galway and Viscountess Galway had graciously consented to attend the society’s second annual dinner on April 15.

The president, Mr. John E. Hunt, was in the chair, and Mr. S. K. Thompson, a vice-president, had arranged the programme.

Community singing, led by Mr. C. Brazier, opened the programme, which was entitled “An English Medley.” After this the items were: Song, “Kissing Cup,” Mr. G. L. Rees; song, Mrs. Mathie; Shakespearean selection, Mr. E. C. Harvie and Mr. W. O. Phillips; community singing; an address by the president and a violin solo by Mr. Verity, sen., who was a visitor from Buckinghamshire. The accompanist was Mrs. R. Hayes. The second half of the programme was given by the Wellington branch of the English Folk Dance and Song Society. The dances performed were, country dances, “Morpeth Rant,” “Grimstock,” “Hit and Miss,” morris jig (Headington tradition), “Bacca Pipe Jig,” morris jig (Bampton traditional), “Princess Royal,” shortsword (rapper sword dance from North of England), “Earsdon.”

Those taking part were Miss , W. Briggs and Mr. F. Hoy, Miss D. Duncan and Mr. W. Vietmeyer, Miss B. Drummond and Mr. C. F. Roekel. Miss A. Catto and Mr. H. Cook, Misses M. Wicks, N. Allardyce and D. Croxtcn (members of Teachers’ Training College Group), Miss H. Taylor, Mr. J. O’Sullivan. The narrator was Miss H. Taylor, and the accompanist was Mrs. H. Cook.

The programme closed with a song by Miss Hirst.

Mr. and Mrs. L. Brooks, Palmerston North, are visiting Masterton, where they are staying with Mrs. Brooks’s mother, Mrs. F. Petersen, Essex Street.