Griff tells he saw Ida out and about but no way he could have caught up with her fast pace.
He admits not to being great at hosting his parents and aunt of an evening, but they seem happy to entertain themselves, ignoring his radio when he listens to concerts and operas.
He is still trying to figure out the "Pipe Problem", baffled at the stem fashions of the day veering from the Sherlock Holmes style.
He's like to see her and is trying to arrange a cinema outing with her. He's sure they'd never argue seriously, "I'm often painfully astonished at the way some people can squabble in markedly unpleasant ways."
Choir practice "seemed to go with a rattle and bang, but there was a shortage of altos."

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.

In lieu of a camera, he's sent Ida a couple of picture postcards of Burton-on-the-Water where he's holidaying. He sings the praises of the model village, the trout in the river and the large newer houses not in the model. He's enjoying working around the village but "one ought to have a car for the complete exploration of this district." Either way he wishes to be with her.

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.

Griff's on holiday and has had a good quiet breakfast in preparation for a long walk, he writes to Ida. He intends to lead a simple life but she's reminded him that he must prove his size and capacity for such.
He's caught a cold despite having just got over a stomach ache, claiming astronomy as the cure.
"I am glad to hear everyone is chirpy, despite the, er, doings abroad." Chin up, keep calm, carry on etc.
Miss Collens sounds like she's moving house and Griff doesn't think it's a good idea. "Tell her the houses are damp and have invasions of cockroaches every April and October, and add again the bit about Air Wardens and Astronomy." Just in case it interests her.
He wishes the Hallé could get sorted, perhaps at the Palace at a push but "suppose there will be some silly regulation about not being able to hire the Free Trade Hall for Sunday performances."

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.

Griff tells Ida how he admired her dress on their last date, "you have never looked finer than you were on Tuesday evening; as well, on nearly all previous occasions and through many years but not better than yesterday at and after the Rummy contest."
He shares some information on the radio concert featuring Sir Thomas Beecham conducting, and he's hoping to go to the Hallé at the weekend.
He relates that his cousin has died and that he doesn't expect her to always be "in crashing high spirits."
Hoping to practice his cello with a bit of Bach and to take his parents out to town.
It sounds like Ida is at a funeral *and* a wedding? Busy busy.
He admits to saying "so long as they let the concert season finish in comfort, the armed forces of Europe can do as they please." He admits that it's "selfish and inaccurate, now. We are suffering from the application of an unfair treaty of Versailles and the attention of an idealistic but half-insane and pretty unbalanced dictator. Germany is again a great nation, but I don't like their politics."

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.

Griff arranges to meet Ida outside the Refuge, hoping they could squeeze in two walks around her helping someone with music. He promises that "I am to leave you at a discreet distance" at her door at the end of their walk.

Ref: CARROLL/IGC/3 GG
With thanks to the Ida Carroll Trust

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Griff has his travel agents office hours for the nest month, including Saturday afternoons, "well, well, well! Or rather ill, ill, ill!"
He hopes to take her out for a walk after such a weekend shift for a walk and then the cinema. He reckons he'll have to lock himself away in the office on a Sunday to do the accounts, no other way, apparently.

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.

Griff tells Ida that his energy fluctuates, not helped by a fretful day at the church. "The Misses Stephenson wanted to know what I was doing, walking about during the service and looking for all the world like an undertaker."
He refers to his radio, "I must have Ma and Pa dreadfully with ours, but they seem to have cultivated then art of reading steadily through the programmes." The ticking clock, however, sometimes just has to go as "it ticks like a metronome."
He feels awful and still has accounts to do that he's brought home from the travel office. He hopes he could read her letter while cosied by the fire but he's had to skim read it. He's saving a proper look over when he can be cosy with fire, pipe and magazine at the ready. He still feels dreadful but will enjoy dreaming of her.

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.

"Dodge the choral symphony by all means" Griff urges Ida, but to give Damnation of Faust a go, including the Hallé's altos efforts for the Hungarian March.
She discusses the finer details of some music notation. Seeing friends and relations out and about at hours when all should be in bed makes the world seem very small. He recalls a friend who "used to pull my leg about having a bass voice; she used to go about with a lad who had a very light coloured voice, s she must prefer tenors, all in all."
His aunt thinks he's sweet on the daughter of Mr Cook but of course such things would be nonsense seeing as he's strung up on Ida.
He wishes to navigate the finer nuances of her personality, "I am not quite sure if I do know when you are 'best left alone' so you may have to tell me when to be quiet."

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.

Griff knows that the outing Ida arranged will go off brilliantly. He's been to the cricket and writes about how Walt Whitman inspired so many composers.
He discusses concerts and that he never spotted Hilda Collens and Granville Hill ("our distinguished critic") and nearly played a trick on the back of a dress at the Milton Hall but refrained. He complements her on her lovely dress and plans the rest of his week out, as well as inviting her to the cinema.

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.

Griff was late to a concert of the Matthay School of Music, "Braham literally pushed me into the concert hall when I was ready and willing to await the applause. Not a modest entry for I believe Miss Braymayer was several bars ahead of me!" He enjoyed it though, as well as her father's speech, and Gertrude Riall "scintillated", Ida played bass very well, and some cellos "added a touch of zest."
Ashton is dull for him but it meant that the office is the cleanest it's ever been.

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.

Griff writes to Ida that he's been listening to BBC on the radio and discusses the other programmes he's listening to. "It would be nice if you could play with the Symphony Orchestra and the Blackley Union" and he hopes she can have a rest at Christmas.
He updates her on plans to go to the theatre. He's had "a pleasant moment this evening tapping out the tunes chorus in the Hallé programme" and he has "the play-writing fever" again.
His office hours are demanding but he hopes to see two Messiahs nevertheless, it is Christmas after all. He relays his Christmas plans at work, hopes wage cuts don't come, arranging Christmas collections and cards at Birch choir.
Regarding church Christmas processions he doesn't like participating but doesn't mind observing. He refers to Catholicism and its penchant for symbolism.
"you must believe that your influence is helping me. I'm not altogether happy every where, you know, so I haven't quite perfected the art of living, for I'm aware of all sorts of deficiencies. But we are doing our best some of the time, and you are doing your best all of the time."

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.

Ida's had a bash about it sounds and Griff says "I hope your elbow isn't bruised." He figures they could take in a show but didn't want to take over her free Saturday. He'll go buy a new hat instead but doesn't relish the idea of buying new clothes.
He refers to his plans to take up a business of his own but the one he has an eye on isn't being sold yet. Another opportunity to buy into a franchise or agency in Manchester/Carlisle/Newcastle. A friend of his fancies Carlisle on account of "being more than somewhat friendly with a nurse there." He doesn't figure that a sound investment, and "I agree that it is a precarious game". He's not hard up, he assures her, though.

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.

Griff says he's so proud to soon be able to wear the pullover she has made him.
With all the food he's eaten, "I feel like a stuffed owl" after a busy day. Although the busy days are due to get busier given that everyone in Ashton seems to be going on holiday on the same day to Blackpool. His week will get particularly busy but he still hopes she will get a walk in with her. He hopes to wag work with her a bit so they can go to the cinema with her.

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.

Griff admits that he fumbled the letter to Ida when he tripped onto the bus. He's off to a holiday in the Cotswolds and she's spending time in Derbyshire. He's not optimistic about the chances of getting weather-appropriate clothing soon as he seems to have rid himself of his old ones last year.
He reckons that his wage is going to be cut, "things are a nuisance."
He thought of learning to drive, getting a cheap car but he "should only have become fatter" without walking.
There's a blackout darkness in Didsbury and he can't wait for the trip to the Cotswolds to even it out some.
He's reworked a map of Europe to his liking, reassigning swathes land to Jewish communities throughout the continent.
She's been writing to him at her office at the Matthay School of Music and advises her that "next time Miss C reads your charming letters to me, just tell her you are writing to Mr Granville Hall, and watch the reaction."
He's chores to fulfil so happy they can see each other later that day. Apparently it's "supposed by astronomers that the vegetation on Mars is of a reddish hue. That is all I know about astronomy." Fancy that, Griff.
He's been marching through a tome 'Anthony Adverse' which should see him through the first of the colder winter nights.

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.

Griff thanks Ida for coming to see him and his parents, he reckons they would even play cards into the wee hours with them if they were allowed. He reckons they could get them included in the Bridge rounds.
He sympathises that she's "having a rough time of it at present, darling. Definitely between two fires, which is such a pity during present happenings."
He thinks Hilda Collens "ought to count her blessings and be grateful and make things easier for you instead of fussing so much." Given the war "bad times arrives and make everyone more human, temporarily then easy times follow and the old selfishness creep in again, and in so many phases of present day life too."
He gets angry with the news, and even if the war was won tomorrow it wouldn't be any help, the world is a mess anyway. But! At least it will be end of term soon for her.

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.

Griff thanks Ida for visiting him while he worked in Ashton "you brought added sunshine," but he must keep on top of the accounts. His parents were singing his praises for her visit, his mother even waking up out of bed.

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.

Griff is feeling lighter with the only thing dragging his mood down is not being with Ida. He thanks her for planning to call on his parents. They can even listen to the concert on the radio.

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.

Griff hopes that Ida's "nasty pain won't return," and that she can rest up. He knows she has been working so hard at the school with its principal Hilda Collens has been unavailable.
He hopes she will come to the Hallé with him on the weekend, or "maybe you'll let me visit you and others can use the ticket." Which is very kind of him.
The tripe shop opposite the travel office has been demolished and it has quite changed the view.
He's a lot of work to do while at the Auxiliary Fire Service volunteering and he thinks it will be a restless night but "a restless night here is too much Darts and not so much 'alerts' - the latter are quiet and restful in comparison."
He relays his mother's gratitude for the rose she sent her.

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.

Griff writes to Ida that he's restless and absentminded, nearly walking into a cyclist on the way home.
"DAMN it - the warning has just gone. I am truly sorry for you," regarding her Air Raid Precaution Warden duties. Nevertheless he hopes she still gets to bed at a decent time. He has some doubts about the quality of next Tuesday's concert.

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.

A wartime Christmas notecard from Griff to Ida. Short and sweet. She kept it for 55 years.

Ref: CARROLL/IGC/3 GG
With thanks to the Ida Carroll Trust

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Griff writes to Ida that her letters "always arrive on the right day and at the right time to give quite the maximum of delight." He's loved seeing her and praises that "your 'evacuee' idea is splendid but I greatly fear there is very little room for hand holding in this establishment." Not sure what he's chatting about, mind.
As he's writing he takes breaks walking up and down the road, and "much as I enjoy writing to you, I hope and trust the present 'alert' won't go on until 4:00AM" especially as he knows his Auxiliary Fire Service shifts will keep him awake into the wee hours. Even if he did catch a kip on shift, "one member would cheerfully play darts by himself over our recumbent bodies; he is tireless."

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.

Griff tells Ida that he's restless, hoping for the return of a family friend at war, and then cards and the radio. The radio being on the fritz with "Ravel at this moment is doing nothing to help" his restlessness.
Work has been slow and he could have been with her "helping you to keep the fire warm" and work hours aren't looking good.
He arranges a walk with her and possibly a trip to the cinema. He has been training up the Hyde travel office workers, and hoped to have some time alone to call Ida at work at the NSM. However, he soon had work to do before the call could properly connect.

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.

Griff reckons that "it was kind of the Germans to prolong our day by five hours, or were those 5 hours too crowded after deserted Marple?" having to bunk in together during an air raid - probably in a crowded air raid shelter.
He dreamt about Ida and a fantasy sport after spotting her sister Elsa cycling and singing on the way back out.
He hopes to see her at the weekend and after the concert will have to go straight home to family. He's like a tin hat of his own for protection but doesn't want to mither the local marshals for extra work and help.
He signs off when an air raid siren sounds and he thinks of her and her Air Raid Precaution Warden duties.

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.

Griff's had a bit of a dull day and laments not seeing Ida her as much as he'd like. He narrowly missed her mum on a train station platform.
The hot water in the travel office at Ashton is a bit dodgy and joked "it is only a permanent leakage of gas that we have to endure."
He apologises for taking her to a film she wasn't keen on but he was only thinking of her feet when he booked a balcony seat, not knowing that she doesn't prefer them in wartime.
He condemns the Nazis and plucks up that "Air-Marshall Goering is a Cad, but we'll beat him yet."
She's made him a blue jumper which he is very excited to wear.

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.