BIRD ROAD CONCERT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 35, 2 June 1914, Page 7

BIRD ROAD CONCERT.

IN AID OF PIANO FUND.

[from our own correspondent.]

Oa Thursday evening last a concert was given in the Bird Road schoolroom to raise funds to complete the purchase of a piano. 1 think all the praise of this concert is i\\m to j\isis Berry, the head teacher, and to those who so kindly came all the way from Stratford to assist in the singing. By this means over £6 was raised. A splendid programme was gene through, the children's part being very ereditahje. Another thing worthy of mentioning was the excellent l)( Inviour of those young men who were compelled to stand in the porch during; the whole of the performance, .tut' a school, built for, 40 children, were packed seventy adults and fifty children, and the room not being elastic the pressure was rather great. An excellent supper was provided by the ladies of the district, which was no light task, as the number in tin norcli brought the total to one hundred am;k fifty to be catered for. Following are details of the programme :—Pianoforte solo, "Miss P. Symonds; Boat song. Infants; song Miss A. Breen; cornet solo, Mr Blauclictt; song, Mr Swann; recitation. Mr Giddy; song. Miss Black; violiv solo. Mr , Christoffel; song, Rev. Harvie: medley, "Boys and Girls: song. Miss Middleton; song, Miss Giddy: pianoforte solo. Miss P. Symonds: song, Mr T. Coleman; recitation, Miss IClsie Giddy; sons;, Miss Middleton: cornet solo, Mr Bianehett; song, Mrf i Pierce; song, Rev. Harvie; Daisies

School Girls; song, Miss Black; song. Mr T. Coleman ; violin solo, Mr Cbristoft'el ; song, Mr Swahn. Previous to the concert the district had been canvassed by one lady, Sirs Pierce, who collected the handsome sum of £22 2s, which speaks volumes for her as a canvasser, and the generosity of the people in this locality. This sum exceeded all expectations by far, showing how earnestly her heart had been put in the work, as almost everyone had been touched in heart Cor rather pocket). I don't think anyone quits realises the arduonsnesr of this particular work, and each oil" 1 of us would rather take a hack seat when a canvasser is required. Fully comprehending all the distasteftilnes« involved, Mrs Pierce came forward and offered her services to the School Committee for the good of the district, she being in no way to be benefitted by tlie piano as the family l ,' unfortunately, leave the district shortly. This fact cannot fail to touch the hearts of those left to bene'it by her kindly work, and I think the whole district cannot fat] to agree that a great measure of thanks should have been awarded her in public when everyone expected it,-namely, at the concert. This was "evidently overlooked, and the people w-ere debarred, from giving; the hearty cheers that uy,-? only waiting to burst-.forth. _ JgpV partly in their name. I wish to thank her very much, in conjunction with Miss Berry. Tt is little enough hut.it will show them we are not nnappreciative. This piano is for a triple purpose, viz., school use, all divine services, and for concerts, dfc'j, so that sail were interested in one way or another. A fine instrument ifiki secured' '(secondhand) for the sum of £2O, and together with railage, ihsuranee, Covers, brings the cost up to £2B odd.

Church of England services 'are being held monthly in the schoolroom, which is a great boon to the district, the next being Sunday evening, 7th June at 7 p.m., when the new vicar, the Rev. Howard, will take the service.