Letter
The Hallé, Walter Carroll, Ida Carroll, Geoffrey Griffiths, Hilda Collens
1938

"The world in general is a fairly mouldy place" Griff writes and "Manchester city on a half day holiday is like a wilderness." Working in the city is "a workhouse" and he wishes he had "made more strenuous effort to leave it years ago but I don't want to leave for anything worse." Sounds like he has an abusive relationship with the city centre there.
He's going to play Boris (a cello?) and smoke his pipe. He wishes he could go see Robert Donat at the theatre with her but she likely going with her dad Walter Carroll or her boss Hilda Collens or Philip (whoever that is).
He mentions his work at the Hallé Choir and that of Granville Hill (not sure who that is). He reckons any flattery of their performances by reviewers would change if they saw the choir at rehearsals. "The Crazy Gang would be nearer the mark."
He begs her not to go away to St Anne's at the weekend.

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.