Griff writes to Ida explaining that hearing from her and seeing her so regularly lately has boosted his mood so much. She's even been calling him at work which helps greatly, even when he has to pretend to be on a work call when a supervisor appears.
He details his planned journey to see her. He wishes that this new year "be a good new year for you and for all of us".
He urges her to take care on her ARP duties, "if any nasty bombs fall around, I am almost sure it isn't the full duty of a Warden to investigate them too closely," especially since "these delayed actions are doubly nasty."

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 describes the first few days of 1941 to Ida. "We played cards for a long time, sat down to a cup of tea and passed right out until beyond midnight, apart from hearing the occasional band in the distance." Even though they decided on a short game tonight, his parents and aunt decided to continue playing through an air raid alert "to occupy the minds", and through each alert of the night to the final all clear.
Griff has been feeling down lately, "wondering if those poor wardens at Withington lost their loves through peering too closely at unexploded what-nots." He admires "all conscientious work, but bravery and unnecessary daring aren't the same thing."

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 describing his confusing waking early in the morning and even though he enjoyed his walk with her, he still feel asleep at cards at home.
He can't wait to see her on Tuesday to accompany her on her Air Raid Precaution rounds just for an hour, "though I don't see the need for people to expect violent visits to Mcr on every blessed night." (Just you wait for the Manchester Blitz, Griff.)
He'd like to go to the cinema and arranges to meet.

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.

"Your sweet letter was as warm as toast this morning" Griff tells Ida. It's currently very close to his heart, in his waistcoat pocket, along with other letters of hers, his ID card and his certificate of registration for HM Forces. He's been advised to carry these with him wherever he goes just in case he gets asked about them.
"Last Friday morning I remember waking up thinking it was Saturday which was no consolation when the awful truth had penetrated." He's even more impatient for Saturday now, when he will see her.
Feeling not quite himself, "I do hope for an upheaval of some kind when this war is over." He's not feeling productive at work even though he selfishly gets to see her more now. He wanted to be part of the RAF but will feel better in time.
He's making quite a dent in Ashton library's stock, with how the trains are acting lately. The library is "a good library of the old fashioned type."

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 has misplaced his notebook, he laments to Ida. It seems to have his notes from the concerts he's attended, including a 1927/8 syllabus from the Hallé "with quite astonishing programmes therein." He reckons "what fun the chorus did have in those days, a fifth of a lifetime ago."
He's listened to the radio instead of practicing repertoire. Naught Griff.
He warns Ida that he'll have to miss part of a concert to be at church choir rehearsal in time. He's also expected at the Auxiliary Fire Service shift over the weekend in Ashton-under-Lyne, but thinks the camp beds for their night shift won't have shown up yet. The squad make-up was apparently drawn out of a hat. Good to know such careful planning went in to WW2 home defence.
So even though he has a busy weekend he would still like to meet up for a trip to the cinema.
He misses her greatly, especially in his voluntary war work but wouldn't want to her to come for a visit even in the lighter nights, "I should be too worries, if the warning sounded, about your getting back."

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 apologises to Ida for the summer storm that crashed their date and earned them a scolding from her sister Elsa. He likewise scolds the "many thousands of people who seemed to be about were probably lured out by the pleasant weather before nine o'clock, the idiots." He's not a huge fan of the heat, reckons he'll be sighing for colder weather soon instead of avoiding the veranda where he feels like "the proverbial cat on hot bricks." (Any Tennessee Williams fans out there?)
He apologises and reassures her that as he is "a reticent Englishman I don't tell you one half of the nice things I ought to do, but I'll never talk about the inside of motor car engines," even if he knew anything about them.
He thinks that if work lets out early he'll straight to bed, or play his cello Boris or listen to 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 plans to meet Ida at their the Post Office corner at Didsbury, hoping to remember to hand over her gloves her keeps forgetting.
He relays the Easter working plans at the travel agency and hopes to see her at their friends' house - possibly a cards game.
He may go to the cinema without her if she's busy and see the film she's seen many times. He prefers to go with her, of course, but wouldn't expect her to sit through it again.
He hopes to practice his cello soon (Boris), he's been lazy lately and spent his evenings reading.

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 proclaiming it warm, "and we even turned off the gas fire for a while at Princess Street," travel agency. That pivotal moment in the British year when you bravely turn off the heating. "Writing in a scantily clad condition" makes him feel rather spring-like.
He went for a walk but the radio programme at home wasn't very inspiring. He relays some advice from an electrician about her own radio set's troubling monotonous hum.
He's changing his plans. Instead of going to Princes (Theatre/Cinema?) he's heading to Birch church for the final rehearsal of some choir friends of his.
He's been to 9 Albert Square and seen her father Walter who was in high spirits.
He assures Ida that he would never tell her to shush when she is talking over her troubles. "I shall just continue to offer the shoulder and the ear of sympathy!"
He reckons she will stay at the school for the moment, "though you are a fine teacher and might well enjoy much added opportunities of training the minds (and fingers!) of the musically young."
He admits that "there are times when I feel unsettled, as you know, before the war I was prepared to sell out more or less, if a certain business could be secured, and now I should welcome a change that would occupy the day more; before it was for more monetary gain; now it's for more brain work."

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 explaining that he still has her gloves that he forgot to give back. He always tries to remember to return them to her, "but the times arrives when I an insensible to everything except you. There are noisome passers-by and their loathy torches of course, and great staring headlamps, and policemen but they don't count; at busy spots they seem to be sickening necessities in the scheme of things." People seem to be out at all hours, although it was a Saturday night.
He enjoyed the concert and wants to learn more about the new season. He shares some he's found, particularly about the Hallé's forthcoming concert in Southport Easter, conducted by local lad Maurice Johnstone.

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 thanking her for her letter. She wrote it just after he left her at midnight and she had every right just to go straight to sleep but is glad she didn't.
He likes to read her letters in private, "your letters being very special letters." He tried to read them on the tram, twisting his neck to read the postscript up the side (like in this letter here) but didn't do it justice in the dimly lit carriage. He's made up for it by reading it properly thrice since.
He agrees an evening in would be good and since she's not going away at Easter and he's not working at Huddersfield, maybe they could join their friends for their regular night of cards.
Regarding her work he writes, "no I don't predict you will stay at School! Only for the time being, though I know you do love the School." She ended up being its principal and seeing it through all the way to 1972 when it dissolved to make room for the RNCM.

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, thanking her for seeing him. It was a good break in the slow days at Ashton's travel agency, and the book on modern European history he's reading which is "interesting but depressing". Sorry Griff, it only gets worse over the next few years.
However he's also ready four novels in this week. Atta boy.
He's needing to pull on his reserves of patience in customer service at Ashton. Customers coming with vague requests for train times after dinner/tea, "and for the life of me I don't know when they have their dinners and teas!" He blames "some sorry fault in our educational system" for their approach to travel agents.
He reassured her that the following week will be fine.

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 wishing her every success with her upcoming concert. He hopes - trains permitting - to slip into a seat at the back of the hall. He relays some devious planning, keeping the extent of their relationship a secret from friends, not letting on that he has already planned to go to the concert when the mention it to him.
It's a busy day the travel agents but not a lucrative one. He writes that he hopes she enjoys their trips to the cinema but knows not every visit is going to be top tier.
Hopefully when it's less busy and less rainy they can meet for a walk.

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 but doesn't know whether to post the letter yet or take it with him when they meet, "may be you are sleeping to make up for the latest air raid warning."
He's proud that his parents left their beds of their own accord in the air raid warning without his prompts.
He's been "looking at my small collection of books - and recoiling from them in turn!" looking for something suitable for her to read.
He hopes they have the energy for a good walk tomorrow.

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 "sorry to hear you've been losing sleep because of over-worry; anxiety just isn't worth while - though I know it is difficult to avoid - so you mustn't do it again.
He reckons the upcoming performance by the school will be brilliant if the rehearsals have gone so well. "It's quite probable Miss C. will have the pleasure of reading a warm notice from Mr. Granville Hill."
Griff isn't impressed with Ashton, where the travel agency has based him. "No business, no Boots' library, no W.H. Smith library, no architecture, a dull lot of people." But, he is enjoying managing the office himself and approves of their cricket team.
He dreamt they went to a strange 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.

It's not even Tuesday yet and Griff is already longing for the weekend. "There isn't anything better in the wide world than being with you." He hopes to see her on Saturday.
Working at the travel agents in Ashton is surprisingly busy, "plenty of passengers when yo consider that so many of our clients have joined up."
The young lad a work has joined a church choir. Griff is trying to interest him in elementary theory but has had no luck yet. "He simply appears to disbelieve me when I tell him how much more easy the game is when one knows the simple grammar of it."
He's stopped learning French because he's fallen out with France and wishes to learn Italian instead as it's easier to pick up given the Latin learned in church choirs and the Hallé. (Just wait until Italy start to march on France, my friend. Might change your tune then.)
He hopes to continue working with the travel agency past the summer and may get inducted into the Home Guard at Withington.
His parents have rejected the idea of transferring their beds downstairs.
He hopes Ida will take case given the recent damages and horrid accidents to people and places in recent air raids.

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 grateful that the air raid warning has passed and can now continue reading his book.
He writes to Ida reminiscing about when he would visit the Saturday afternoon cheap shows in Manchester. The only ones he remembers seeing with her is when she had caught a terrible cold from Hilda Collens.
He hopes the black cloud in the sky is "dismal enough to frighten the Nazis away for two whole days at least."
He hopes that the Hallé are able to continue but even if they can't he still would like to meet up with her on Sunday afternoons.

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 wishes to meet up with Ida at the post office corner at Didsbury in the early evening, when "it ought not to be very dark and you should avoid walking off with the wrong man!" He hopes to find a cinema that will seat them, "though I hear continuous performances are nearly always the rule at present since the new restrictions." Continuous performances were when shorter films were played back-to-back with no interval. Griff suggests Denton's People's Hall but with fewer buses on the roads now it's a bit of a trek and the seats aren't that comfy anyway.
He hopes Ida can provide him with an excuse not to attend a staff supper with the travel agents in Oldham.
He wonders if Ida will take Miss Collens for a walk while the moon is still fairly bright, "she is a lonely soul and would enjoy it hugely."

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 apologising for being late to their walk and arranges their next.
He pleads that he doesn't want to be introduced to any Levenshulme blondes, "they wouldn't be one-tenth so nice as you and would only terrify me anyway."
He discusses shirt collars, correct pronunciation of "says" and books.
He jokes that she's been entertaining herself with some riotous gin nights while he's been busy. He thanks her for her letter and asks "will you let me go with you to a few f the Hallé - if you book for odd concerts, please? Naturally, if you tale a season I should very very much like one too, on the next seat of course. But I don't want to be selfish - you may have pals whom you don't see so often nowadays in war-time, and they may be just as anxious as I to go with you."
Their post office corner in Didsbury seems to be the convergence for all of South Manchester, even after 10pm, to which Griff says, "they ought to know better."

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 grateful to Ida sending him a note to say she can't meet him, as it saved him freezing while waiting on the Post Office corner at Didsbury.
He goes into detail about choir arrangements. He will not be going to choir practice at Birch as he gave up some of his holiday last week for it. While he would like to have arranged to meet with her instead, he knows she must have other priorities for her time, "and I try not to appear too selfish, though it is hard not to do so with you." Nevertheless he would like to meet her next week for a walk.
He discusses the changes in the Hallé chorus and Birch choir. "I wonder what you are going to so about the Hallé. I hear they are trying to introduce women sopranos at Birch with an attempt to return to the occasional production of anthems." Either way he wants to go to the Hallé whenever he can if it's a good programme, and choir practice fulfils his duty to the church.
"Although the musical tradition at Birch is sadly on the wane, I'm not in the least fretful about it, especially under existing circumstances [...] But music is part of my life and I feel bound to hear the best we have - the Hallé - and to support it with money and by attendance." Nevertheless he shall "miss the Chorus cruelly, but for many years that has played only a small part in the musical life of Manchester; happier times will come and with ordinary luck that will be restored to us - the chorus." Could it be that the war and men enlisting has made it difficult for the Hallé to stage choral concerts?
He's enjoyed his holiday but is glad to see her again. He described a nightmare in which a tiny Ida falls into a river. Undaunted, he would like to arrange a walk and trip 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 writes to Ida thanking her for visiting even when she's a sore throat. He counts the minutes he spent with her compared to the hours without, but feels guilty for keeping her out at a concert so late.
There has been some thievery lately that he sympathises as "an impossible situation". Another such impossible situation is some scandal around a Mr. A., a mistress and someone's wedding.
He's attended one of her "lessons in music for beginners" and whilst he had a foul time it wasn't because of the music. He's unsure of the impression her made on "your little friends at half-time. I looked either doleful or grinned like a maniac - I positively don't know which but I felt either and don't recall a word they said."
He dreamt she had abandoned him on a date and dreads more nightmares. He signs off advising her one some travel arrangements.

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 "should be very proud indeed" to wear a pullover kitted by her.
He goes into some detail about his approach to war service. He's been asking a friend about the "part time special police, about the War Reserve" and getting information on what ages the government prefers to enlist. Griff's certificate of registration says his "present employment is not to be given up voluntarily" as it was seen as permanent. He admits that the uniform for these recruits is very attractive but assures her that "with One Shining Exception I have no ambition to raid the hearts of the fairer sex in general."
He still fancies the Home Guard but half heartedly applied to the Auxiliary Fire Service which he signed up to be trained for but has yet heard anything back (he ends up AFS in Ashton), and as an Air Raid Precaution Warden but might be too old for their liking.
He didn't want to step out on their cinema date but had a train to catch. He's dreading the possibility of not seeing her at all for whole weeks on end shortly, and asks her for a short walk.

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 he is restless, the weather and "enforces (more or less!) early return home." He jokes he will soon have to compete with "every unit soon, fighting and defence" for her affection.
He updates her on his work, and he's not surprised they've lost weight what with the weather and the rations.
"Shall think about you all the time - hope my heart is strong, darling, thinking about you and boiling slowing at the same 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.

Griff writes to Ida thrilled that there is less than 24 hours until he sees her again. He enthusiastically details the journey that he will take to her.
He hopes to invite her to his home again soon. His mother is slightly better and able to stay up a little longer, so she may even get some cards in.
He hopes that Hilda Collens is treating her well and laments the unusual time keeping practices of the busses in Manchester.
He was interrupted in his music studies by the (church?) warden with some paperwork. He relays some of his responsibilities as a travel agent.

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.