Griff tells Ida that "Miss H[ilda] C[ollens] has not been to the school" as she's had a stomach bug but that he went around to see her when she telephoned, thinking they would go to David's wedding together. Not sure who David is but congrats!
He went around to visit her and "found her cheerful but admitting to a weakness in the legs, no doubt from being in bed most of the time."
Weather for David's wedding was beautiful but him and Hilda got to the church early. They "became mixed up in the tail-end of some ordinary office of the day, and you should have seen us. We didn't know whether to sit, stand, kneel, or throw ourselves prone upon the floor. However by watching others we managed to survive."
He's visited her father and had dinner with her family. Their housekeeper ordered him away to the cricket while she dealt with the pots.

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 while she's on holiday in Scotland with its bad weather. He thinks her mother should go to the doctor's to get her leg checked "but I don't suppose she will." No probably not.
"Miss Collens made her one and only appearance today and she seemed brighter than on Saturday." He went to lunch with her at the plaza but "there was scarcely a sweet left and they'd no coffee and they injured H.C.'s feelings by bringing her tea with sugar in it and they changed that but brought the next concoction so milky that she left half of it." Uh oh.
Griff is enjoying the Boot's Library subscription. So this was a lending library that Boots the chemist operated prior to the Public Libraries and Museum Act of 1964, which required local councils to provide free public libraries to its constituents.
He's going to the cricket at Old Trafford if it's dry enough to pay homage to cricketer Cyril Washbrook.

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 discussing the merits between the "Odd Man Out" novel and film. Unsurprisingly, it wasn't as good as the book.
He discusses their plans for the Edinburgh International Festival.
He's been to the cricket at Old Trafford "and the Australians were grand."
He's enjoying so much free time in the summer "now I know the value of being in the staff of the NSM!"

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.

Slightly confusing but I think Griff is arranging attendance a concert, possibly Edinburgh Festival, and to see the Boyd Neal Orchestra?

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 Ida is spending too much time at the Royal Academy of Music while there is sun in London.
He discusses the funeral of Harry Hoyland, trombonist of the Hallé.
Irene Wilde has offered to dust the bookcases of Hilda Collens while she visits her.
Apparently the Hallé ordered too few seats for rehearsal at the Town Hall and "there was a great to-do in arranging the semi-chorus to the liking of J[ohn] B[arbirolli] and [Eddy] Gregson.
He discusses the failed attempts to attend the Edinburgh Festival and that Irene Wilde is off to the Opera School at Bagnor.

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 lucky he caught her phone call to her family home and got to hear her voice whilst she is away in London - he'd just got to the door when the phone rang and Elsa (her sister) was busy with a girl guide.
He discusses the funeral of Vere (?) Hardy and the wake. He praises her red and white funeral flower sheaf she sent.
He wonders if she has had the time to see the latest Terence Rattigan play yet whilst in London.
Sounds like there's been a bit of car trouble some friends were involved in but no serious damage.
The Hallé librarian was "slightly agitated to know if we had the timp. part of Elgar op.36" which Griff then promised to drop off at the Town Hall for their rehearsal.

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 relays that a Ms Vere Hardy has died. Irene Wilde will cover for him with Dorothy Pilling at the NSM while he attends the service.
"Miss Collens sees to be quite chirpy and I was there about an hour" so of course she caught him out when he fell asleep for a second or two.

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 hoping she enjoys her time in London with good weather, "between the knitting and supervising". Possibly she is accompanying her music students to the ABRSM exhibitions or a concert?
He's dropped the radio off to be repaired (I think). He nips in to the school to see if there is anything he should be forwarding to her but there's "nowt of import."

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 updates Ida on some home renovations he's undertaking, including swapping carpet for lino. There are problems being encountered however, including some sort of rot or water damage to some woodwork and a growth under the piano. "The two back casters of the piano had gone right through the wood and we had to lift it straight up to move it."
Rain interrupted the cricket, he panicked about the tickets he's arranged for Irene Wilde (and the NSM?), and had supper with her family. Neighbours admired the lino and he notes that "old lino is excellent for starting the fire." He's looking forward to cricket and chess and treats herself to a drawing of a "cat, not beetle."

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 not sure he's been addressing the letters to Ida correctly whilst she's been on holiday and needs to find his address book, "so I'd better drop everything immediately - except my flannel trousers."
He tells Ida not to worry about the NSM and (hopefully jokingly) writes that "there is a horrid lot of fine dust about, but I'm sure the floors won't be quite so bad as the Concert Room a year ago."

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 "If you want a bit of rare fun you ought to try wandering around No.37 in the dark wearing carpet slippers" as you catch yourself on carpet and linoleum. Lockdown would not suit you, sir.
He talks money arrangements and bus timetables and assures her that her father is in good spirits.

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 and Dorothy (Pilling?) loved their cards "and much to her amusement I was able to demonstrate without any lack of decorum or loss of good taste, that my rompers of the moment were, in fact, supported in one place by the ever-useful safety pin." Classy.
Ida has sent instructions to her sister Elsa, possibly about the household, and Elsa is "viewing with some alarm and trepidation certain portions of the (to one) deeply absorbing itinerary."
He talks about enjoying P.G. Wodehouse who he regrets had "made himself so unpopular during the war". Turns out he sent broadcasts over enemy frequencies and radio when he was living in France during the German occupation, which some saw as treasonous.

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 while she is away and thinks the weather will improve. Optimistic of him, I know.
He's been to visit her family at their home and see their new kitchen.
His mouth is watering at the chef on the radio who made a hot souffle with ice cream in the middle but the journalist couldn't eat it as she was on a diet. Gutted.
He assures her that the finances of the NSM are in his hands and that "yes H[ilda] H[ester] C[ollens] does fully grasp the cheque situation. For her second sight of the bank statement I had written in everything against everything."

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 overheard Ida's sister Elsa and Mrs Higgins (housekeeper?) in a "housekeeping conference" that covered all matters related to "food problems". He tells Ida that "it can be taken as read that a hunger will be upon you around eight o'clock on Monday, and steps are being taken to assuage it."
A mutual acquaintance is going to Colwyn Bay for "the sea-side, extensive grounds, a daily help, gardener, sea air, a cat and a dog, and a regular delivery of meat for cat and dog", while the pet-sit. Sign me up.
Walter Carroll (Ida's father) has inspected the new kitchen and Griff reckons that with some new paint "it would be absolutely wizard." Which is now my new favourite phrase.
Instead of playing chess, his friends are reading Tennyson, which Griff does not rate.
The "P.S. Pill is to be paid" probably refers to his duty as bursar for the NSM and Dorothy Pilling as staff member.

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 the weather is better (although later he calls the weather forecaster on the radio a cad for promising showers). There is a "simply smashing sunset" and "chimney smoke going straight into the air." Sounds very Mary Poppins.
He's visited the Tatler theatre and ran into an acquaintance Kenneth Holmes who updates him on a John Done who is "now a full medico" at the Royal Infirmary.
He's been gardening and promises to drop by Ida's family home Glenluce on Lapwing Lane (possibly because she is away on holiday with the family?).
He talks about cards and giving bridge lessons to a Mrs Higgins.
"Good night my darling, and don't dream of string players; it's as bad as dreaming about times-tables."

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.

Quick note from Griff that he's sending some bits to Ida and that he is arranging a small package to be sent to her mother.

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 whilst she is on holiday in Port Patrick. "Now and again I hear gloomy remarks by BBC gentlemen about the West coast of Scotland and its weather" and checks the "old family weather glass" to see how things compare.
He was met by a chap who recognised him as being associated with the Northern School of Music and would like to send hi young daughter there to learn piano. He even knows someone who knows Ida, who he met in London.
He references rations being organised, booking Hallé season tickets, listening to the radio, playing cards and football.

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 it's so busy at the Ashton-under-Lyne office of the travel agents that the helping hand from Oldham has practically moved in. However that does give him more time for responding to "phone messages" (i.e. calling her at the Matthay School of Music).

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.

Surprise! It's raining in Manchester. But Griff assured Ida that "the fire is large and there is a suggestion of a nice cup of tea."
he's going to support the Guides it sounds like, at a meeting in the Town Hall (her sister Elsa was a Guide leader) but Griff bows out saying "the only objection I have to meetings is the Crowd." But he is perfectly happy to sit through a concert or attend the cinema.
He'd go with her to the Tatler News Theatre, he says.
He discusses card games and radio broadcasts.
"I plead a lack of experience" he says, and takes Ida's word that "women are difficult to deal with at times." Sure sure sure.
He mentions Maurice Clare who works as a violin teacher at the Matthay who is planning to leave for Australia on a "project". He hopes that if she follows him there, Griff "could put in some smashing work" if he was allowed to tag along.
She hopes there will be no war. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, Ida, but... yeah.
Griff admits to thinking too much and suggests that "most people with imaginations do think quite a lot" for "we must dodge boredom." With boredom comes people who "ooze depression". However, life is much better since he can see her more.

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 got a further audition for the Hallé choir and asks Ida "so would you haul me up and down the jolly old scales one evening, criticising energetically?" He sings in church choir at Birch but "you are in a crowd and Messers Forsyth's little room they use is all secluded and stark." Did the Hallé use the room for auditions? Interesting...
Hilda Collens has talked to Ida about the possibility of not being able to do as much at the Matthay (she's the principal of the school). Griff discusses options for how to keep the school going including a Limited Liability Company "provided the members were disinterested in considerations of profit, but it would be rather unprofessional for a school of music to adopt that." However that's exactly what they did in 1943! To get local government support they moved to a public LLC by guarantee (not shares!). That's when they changed their name to the Northern School of Music. And Hilda Collens was principal until she died in 1956 so she stuck it out quite a while.
Griff references Palmanism, a system for brain training popular at the time, to help him remember spelling.
He's not looking forward to having his Sunday afternoon taken over by a chatty friend who always overstays his welcome.

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 declares tat if she were to wear one of the new styles of hats that "juts, tilts at an impossible angle, sticks out, lies like a pancake, has gadgets or flops, I shall faint clean away and probably have a terrible Hat Complex all the days of my life."
He discusses Dorothy Round's return to tennis and the newspaper comments on her figure.
Ida has entered a race and he wishes her luck.

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 of running into her father Walter after dropping her off but was lucky enough not to have to tell him where they had gone - the cinema.
He informs her he will wait at their usual Post Office corner in Didsbury on the off change that she happens to walk by that way.
"If you don't appear on Monday it will gradually dawn upon me that you had something better to do - maybe a assignation with a policeman in plain clothes, or a non-uniformed detective," but that he will wait there nonetheless.
He's going to see a comedy film and writes about walking, books and marriages.
He references, without context, the conductor and composer Mieczyslaw Mierzejewski a few times and I have no idea why.
He reminds her that just in case she doesn't fall in love with any of the "tail-coated gents" at the Midland, that he would like to see her for a date.

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 a date with Ida and apologises for the short letter. He's been busy helping out in Denton. "I started to clearing up at Denton today and was very cold. All stone floors. So after the evening meal I crowded over the fire trying to thaw out," and promptly fell asleep. Not sure what was happening in Denton. Helping clear out a church perhaps or a travel agency premises? Not sure.
He dreamt about cricket in Australia with her but she got into "some dire difficulty with the authorities" and they had to miss their boat which was actually a train because of dream logic.

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 pleased that the radio has rewarded him some "very high class" musical broadcasts. He promises that "When a Packet has been made out of my first play, our first play, I shall buy a gramophone" reasoning that "the electrical recording is so good nowadays that I could do with a nice large library of records."
He discusses concerts and meeting up as well as the card score board, and relays compliments to Ida that he as told by a mutual acquaintance.
He describes his writing desk and while he has a picture of her father on it, "most unfortunately, there isn't a small photo of you."
He asks her "What on earth do you think of some Modern Music?"
Diana, a flautist, told him some tips for learning or playing "particularly unpleasant quick runs."
He knows she is busy with admin at the Matthay School of Music, he hopes everything else doesn't worry her too much.
He discusses learning songs for an audition, cinema offerings and concerts coming up.

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.