Diary 9

The album ‘Scraps’ begins on Saturday 11th July, 1896 and describes the funeral of the Rev W F Bickmore. There is also a cutting inside the first page of the book loosely inserted. It’s from a newspaper and the information on the reverse suggests the 1960s. But the photo I’m looking at says, “Waiting for the train on the platforms of Kidderminster station in 1895 were the members of Stone Church choir on their annual outing. The picture is from the first box I scanned. A 24.

Then an article from the Kidderminster Times; Saturday 9th July, 1898. It describes a presentation to Mr Albert Chambers of Kidderminster on his wedding day.

The following page contained further newspaper cuttings.

The Sun Saturday 29th July 1899

‘On Saturday afternoon a very interesting singing competition was held in the National School at Arley Kings.

Five choirs were present. The cup was won by Stone Choir who thoroughly deserved it.

Mr Chambers, on behalf of Stone choir, returned thanks for the Cup, which it had been a very great pleasure to compete for.’

The Kidderminster Times Saturday August 12 1899

‘Choir treat.

On Tuesday the members of Stone Church Choir held their annual outing, this year visiting Ludlow, the railway authorities attaching a saloon carriage to the excursion train.

While the return journey was in progress, Mr Chambers, the organist, placed on the table the cup lately won by the choir in a singing competition at Arley, and it was used as a kind of loving cup at supper, which was taken en route.’

Turning over the pages I noted the death of the Rev J M Donne on the 11th April, 1908.  20 years have elapsed when the next cutting caught my eye. It is Saturday 1st December, 1928; this time the cutting is from the Kidderminster Shuttle, and is of a lecture given by the head of Stone school Mr Frank Finney;