Letter
The Hallé, Ida Carroll, Geoffrey Griffiths, St James Church Choir at Birch-in-Rusholme
1940

Griff has had a busy day at the travel agency. Two clients "insist on visiting the Lyons Fair. We didn't put any obstacles in their way, but it's difficult these days, sending someone abroad." Best stick to the British Isles, he reckons. WW2 or Brexit premonitions. We will never know. (But probably WW2.)
He tells Ida he has some Hallé tickets and "shall be very upset if you aren't there" for some of the concerts so he sends her some tickets.
He's looking forward to singing in Elijah, having performed it before with the Hallé. This could be with Birch Church choir this time.
He's going to practice on Boris his cello as well as his singing, and "we will mix our arts tomorrow" when they meet up. Ida would be on the piano or the double bass.
He gets embarrassed when Mary, the tobacconist's assistant, was "enjoying one of her many colds" due to being out late with her boyfriend who she insisted was "very hard to get rid of." Griff feels a little ashamed as he realises that he is the reason Ida is out so late when they are together at his insistence of spending more time together."

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.