Letter
The Hallé, Ida Carroll, Geoffrey Griffiths, St James Church Choir at Birch-in-Rusholme
1939

Griff is grateful to Ida sending him a note to say she can't meet him, as it saved him freezing while waiting on the Post Office corner at Didsbury.
He goes into detail about choir arrangements. He will not be going to choir practice at Birch as he gave up some of his holiday last week for it. While he would like to have arranged to meet with her instead, he knows she must have other priorities for her time, "and I try not to appear too selfish, though it is hard not to do so with you." Nevertheless he would like to meet her next week for a walk.
He discusses the changes in the Hallé chorus and Birch choir. "I wonder what you are going to so about the Hallé. I hear they are trying to introduce women sopranos at Birch with an attempt to return to the occasional production of anthems." Either way he wants to go to the Hallé whenever he can if it's a good programme, and choir practice fulfils his duty to the church.
"Although the musical tradition at Birch is sadly on the wane, I'm not in the least fretful about it, especially under existing circumstances [...] But music is part of my life and I feel bound to hear the best we have - the Hallé - and to support it with money and by attendance." Nevertheless he shall "miss the Chorus cruelly, but for many years that has played only a small part in the musical life of Manchester; happier times will come and with ordinary luck that will be restored to us - the chorus." Could it be that the war and men enlisting has made it difficult for the Hallé to stage choral concerts?
He's enjoyed his holiday but is glad to see her again. He described a nightmare in which a tiny Ida falls into a river. Undaunted, he would like to arrange a walk and trip to the cinema with her.

Ref: CARROLL/IGC/3 GG
With thanks to the Ida Carroll Trust
Date is unknown.

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.