Memories of the days when villagers made their own entertainment are recalled by an old poster which was recently shown to a colleague in Glemsford.
The poster-cum-programme is in the possession of Mr Bartle Allen of Angel House, Glemsford, a retired schoolmaster. It advertises a concert in the Schoolroom at Glemsford on Tuesday, February 5, 1867.
The concert was by The Amateurs of Glemsford under their leader and first violin, Mr S. Smith; Mr A. Allen, second violin, and Mr H. Argent, violincello (sic). The programme included overtures, songs, duets and quadrilles. The poster was printed by T. M. King, general printer, North Street, Sudbury.
One of the singers at the concert, Mr James Woodcock, was the first stationmaster at Glemsford. The other singers were a Mr Arbon and a Mr Fenn.
There are descendants of all three musicians still living in Glemsford. Mr Alfred Allen, the second violin, was the father of the man who now has the poster and two daughters, Mrs Stebbin and Miss C. Allen reside in the village. Another daughter, Mrs Mayhew lives at Pentlow.
Mr Samuel Smith, first violin, was the grandfather of Mrs L. Garwood and great-grandfather of Mrs E. Porter, the “Free Press” correspondent. There are several other great-grandchildren living locally including some at Great Yeldham.
Bernie's father, Wilfred, annotated this article too:
This is a cutting from the Free Press. The Bartle Allen is my brother who still owns the house (Angel House) where we were all born. Alfred Allen was our father who was at that time supposed to be a top-notched violin player. He used to play at the gentry balls I remember at Boxted Hall and Chadacre Hall and at several other places. My brothers Bernal and Rupert used to play the violin and he wanted to teach me, but I never bothered, he had a number of pupils. He played for about 2 hours every evening, he used to renew the hair on bows and repair violins. I was the youngest son.
Wilfred Allen
Mrs Stebbin, Miss Carrie Allen, Mrs H. Mayhew were the sisters that it speaks of.
October 1957
The "Schoolroom" referred to would have been the old "National School" on Tye Green, which is now St Mary's Church Hall, where the
Sunday School meets.
Bernie also has some evidence that his great-grandfather, Henry (mentioned in the account of the fire), was also musical, and may have been a locally-well-known
player of the double bass, both in the sort of concert described here, and in church. Again, if anyone else can provide further evidence of such musical performance, we'd love to know.
The Allen Family pages: