The second of a series of entertainments in aid of Blantyre Parish Circulating Library and Reading Room took place in the Parish Hall, on the evening Friday 24th February— Rev. C. S. Turnbull presiding.
This was a concert in aid of the newly opened Blantyre Parish Church Halls at the corner of Main Street and Hunthill Road. Can you imagine going along to that winter’s evening performance! The hall was well filled, the performers on this occasion being the Orpheus Choral Society from Glasgow, under the able leadership of Mr J. Couper Patrick.
The programme, which was of a very high class order, was well sustained throughout, the part songs, “Annie Laurie,” “Night, Lovely Night,” and “Rory O’More” being specially well rendered, while the “Bonnie Wee Window” had to be repeated. Miss J. Watson sang with great taste. “Jessie’s Dream,”
Mr A. E. Wright sang, “My Sweetheart when a Boy,” and also gave as an encore “Let me like a Soldier Fall.” “Father O’Flynn” was also rendered in capital style by Mr A. Bruce, who was enthusiastically encored, when he sang “A Warrior Bold.” Miss A. Brown also rendered “The Better Land.” The large audience at this point being exceptionally well pleased, called for an encore, but Miss Brown declined. Mr Jay Burrow gave two comic selections which were very well received.
A special feature of the evening was the readings given by Miss Barbara Stevenson, “The Little Hero” and “Love in a Balloon.” The rendering of the latter was so successful that an encore was much called for, when Miss Stevenson gave “A Leap Year Wooing.” The performance was brought to a close by the choir rendering “The Fisherman’s Good-Night.” Mr Jas. Gibson accompanied the songs on the piano.
Votes of thanks to all concerned brought a very successful entertainment to a close.
This remarkable photo was thought to be taken in Autumn 1892, the year before as contractors were actually working on and finishing the former Parish Halls at High Blantyre…..133 years ago!!
