Mexborough and Swinton Times December 9, 1927
A photograph of the Thurnscoe Harmonic Male Voice Choir, a body which has made remarkable progress since its inauguration only four years ago.
Mr David Evans was the original conductor, but has since been succeeded by Mr Ernest Smith.
The choir has a membership of 40, and the men come from Thurnscoe, Bolton, Goldthorpe and Great Houghton.
Within three months of their formation, the choir competed at Wombwell, where they were placed fourth out of 11 entries, and received warm encouragement from the adjudicator Dr J.F.Staton.
During the coal dispute, they went on tour, and collected nearly £200 for relief funds, in addition to giving concerts for the entertainment of their comrades and neighbours.
The experience gained in these tours and concerts had value, and this year the choir has done exceedingly well in competitions. They were awarded maximum master Elsecar for their singing of the test piece, “The Crusaders” (Prothero) , which is probably a unique performance.
They have since competed at Manchester, Barnsley, Brodsworth, York, Birdwell, Leeds, Leicester and Warrington and have taken in all five first prizes, two seconds and two thirds.
At Leicester they were awarded 96 marks, and placed 2nd to Kettering out of 26 competing choirs. The photograph shows some of the trophies they have won.
There are also two quartet parties connected with the choir, the Orpheus and the Dearne Valley, and these have had a good deal of success in competitions. The choir is arranging several concerts in aid of its fun, one of these will be given next Sunday in the Majestic Cinema, Wath on Dearne.
