Griff updates Ida on the score board they have going with card games. It seems like lots of complicated maths so to be honest I didn't understand it. Anyone recognise the scores? Bridge?
His cold has "slipped with a bang onto my chest and throat." He argued slightly with the doctor until the doctor conceded that he wasn't able to actually stop Griff going to concerts but that it wasn't wise.
He had a "frightful nightmare" about Manchester City losing 0-2 and him being late the game. And then more anxiety as it sounds like Ida is leaning towards Australia. "There wouldn't be any fun for me in Manchester so I should want to go too." He doesn't think his travel agency would open a branch quite that far away. He obsesses over the logistics for a bit, insistent that he get the same boat as Ida so they can meet up when roaming the decks, and stresses his need to have his pipes imported. At least "there is plenty of good music these days in Australia."
He hopes she can "cast an eye at concerts [for him] and let me know sometime when I have the honour etc... I am not greedy but I like (to see you) a lot."

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 to Ida that "during the last few days I have sang in places of public resort, been awkward, argued, been jealous of policemen (on the whole a much overrated band), telephoned at the right time by pure accident, been still jealous of policemen (still overrated, I think) and misbehaved generally."
He writes about playing cards with the Bowers and with Jack and of the "thundering fib" when he tells Mrs Bower that he may see Ida "knocking about the corridor during the interval at the Hallé." Their secret romance remains secret still.
He wishes her a good time in Stratford with her father and relays an eventful trip to Bournemouth he once took on his won, completely sodden.
I can't make sense of the trigonometry/pattern/puzzle, but apparently it's OK to use "OK" in writing now.

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 just got in from his night out with Ida, and he's "still dizzy with your beauty." He confesses "it was a strain to leave you but you would only have thrown me out in another minute or so! And then I should have been bruised."
He arranges to meet her on the corner of Hyde Road and Kirkmanshulme Lane in Longsight, drawing her a map. Maybe they're off to Belle Vue?

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 quick note from Griff to Ida about arranging concert tickets 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 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.

Griff writes to Ida about their routines, Friday being his customary early night to bed (the rockstar) and Wednesday being her traditional evening at home.
He hopes she likes their cinema dates, "I do hope you enjoy films, on the whole; plays these days ae rather expensive to the pockets and the times, and I would sooner go to a good concert than to a play, in a general sense."
In church choir practice, "the organ behaved well this evening and Cartwright gave a first-rate performance." There seem to be more church choirs than there are churches at this point!
He's had no fresh air and is rather tired. He's deceived the choir by saying he can't come on Tuesday as he is off to Hyde but really that is their date night.

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.

This seems like an earlier letter, as Griff signs himself Geoffrey when writing to Ida.
He's on a bit of a high from seeing her so much this past week. "And every time you are different yet 'not different' [...] it is the same delicious surprise." He's still got two more meetings to go before the week is over and he's very excited.
He assures her that he likes her just the way she is and jokes that she would need to bring a passport with her for ID if she ever turned up with makeup and earrings. "I am glad you don't use those so-called accessories to beauty."
He's had Berlioz on the radio while playing cards with his parents and now is his true "pleasure of the evening", writing a letter to 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 tells Ida he is recovering from a cold and "didn't mean to imply Depression but it must have crept in."
He's listened to Aida from the Paris opera house on the radio, "fine music, as opera music goes, and Maestro Verdi went with gusto."
He thanks her for taking him to a concert. He forgot something on the bus and remembers haring off just in time.
He thinks he could have seen Hilda Collens on the bus, who "eyed me fairly carefully," but he didn't think she could place him without Ida by his side.
He discusses some books he's reading and admits to not getting far with "The Manchester Man" by Isabella Banks or "Blackcock's Feathers" by Maurice Walsh.
He's hoping to see her after some concerts in the Hallé season. Bronislaw Huberman has already performed. Interestingly, Huberman was a Polish Jew and the orchestra he founded in Palestine in became a way for some Jewish musicians in Europe to safely leave in the rise of the Nazi power.

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 relates to Ida about his failed attempt to use pencil and a newspaper as a desk on a train to write a letter. Didn't work out.
He says that "Oxford Street looked strongly unfamiliar at 10:15am. I'm not used to it so early in the day and I had my odd 'detached' feeling; all little known streets and towns affect me so."
He was jealous of the lavish luggage at Liverpool. "About the only thing for which I care to envy people with a very great deal of money, is that the possession of such wealth enables them to travel if they wish." He wishes he could take her on holidays all over the world.
He refers to to Thomas Beecham's rehearsal with (I think) the Hallé choir. "He joked throughout and every utterance was greeted with shouts of laughter, and he finished the evening wearing one of the most self-satisfied smirks that I ever wish to see."

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 advising her on some train travel and logistics.

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 very pleased that Ida's dad Walter donated some books to his personal music library. He wonders if he wants the Schubert Symphony in C back or if she would like it herself.
He didn't come to her recital (possibly the Northern School of Music) as he didn't want to be conspicuous in the small room with her friends and colleagues, "I thought I might cramp your style."
He'll field queries about where he went after choir from members but will mysteriously respond, "with a nice, charming, witty and talented young woman." Smooth, Griff.
It sounds like late winter and he enjoys window shopping in between teas and coffees. Sounds delightful.
We learn he converted to Church of England when he joined Birch choir and was warned to be careful that he wasn't getting confirmed just to join the choir. He discussed his conversion.
"Mother thought it was Shrove Tuesday so I had six pancakes last night." Win.
He's written a little ditty. Anyone hum along?

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 wondering if it will help him sleep. "I doubt it." His body is weary "but I am all awake, mentally."
She is overcoming a cold and he assures her that she never looked ill but certainly has been less lively as colds tend to make you, and looks forward to being lively with her once again.
"In two or three minutes I shall wish you 'good night'; you won't hear it but it will be on the waves of sound just the same."
He talks cards and other updates.

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 sent Ida some tickets along with this short letter. He's tied up with work and laments the early night he was supposed to have "following fire watch" with the Auxiliary Fire Service in Ashton.
"I love you so very, very much and reality often seems a sweet dream, only your dear presence makes it sweet reality instead of a dream, and... I like reality best of all." Well isn't that gorgeous.

And apparently the plum jam is ready.

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 much he enjoys that she talks to him, "it is so nice to discuss matters - and for me to be the confidant of my beloved, for I do love you so."
He discusses his work, and the railway bookstalls which sell "John o' London's" issues. He is interested in story writing and has acquired library books on the subject. He shares a short story by George Jean Nathan and is hopeful for the possibilities given some great writers have gathered hundreds of rejection slips for their work from publishers.

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 had managed to fall asleep on the train, twice!
The only thing to keep him awake was if he was going to visit her. "So I wing my messages of love and love and love and kisses and BGHs to you by the direct route, heart to heart, over many houses and then through your window. I do love you darling, so very much."

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 to Ida his train journey to his holiday destination, Bourton-on-the-Water. "The Old New Inn is old in its beams and woodwork but new in bathroom and wash-bowl fittings." Thank God for that.
Meanwhile, "members of the RAF seem to be billeted around and all paying keen interest to the local girls and the local beer."
The hotel has "given me a nice large double room to myself, I wrote to them on the note paper of the firm, and it is astounding what that will do with hotels!" His job at a travel agents has its perks.

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 laments the frozen pipes in his house. They'd shared their water with neighbours who were in the same position but "now we are all in the same boat - on dry land. (Feeble laugh)."
He talks about concerts he's heard on the radio and offers Ida concert tickets he's unlikely to use.
It sounds like he's after a different job and will be trying the Chamber of Commerce for advice.

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 stresses that he can't seem to get away from slimming references at the moment, they seem to be everywhere.
He tells Ida about the book he's reading, "Decline and Fall of a British Matron" by Mary Mitchell.
He asks her out as a gap in her diary has opened up. He chats about his obligation to Birch Church and Hallé choirs, as well as being offered a place on the St Paul's choir in Withintgton.

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 been working extra hours at the travel agents to get everything neatened up, "with the temper growing steadily worse. There is neither over time money nor official time off during the winter for these extra hours."
He wonders if she will walk with him and promises that he would also go for a walk alone for "none has any charms for me after you." He's taking his parents to the Lido and wonders about going 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 is still laid up with a cold and writes to Ida to apologise for the nuisance.

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.

"Did you telepathise yourself this morning?" Griff asks Ida, as she has been strongly on his mind.
He took a bus to Cheltenham, with areas "a bit similar to our King Street but the High Street was thronged with people and smelly buses."
In Cheltenham there are music programmes sorted for the season including a visit from the London Philharmonic and the "local Spa Orchestra".
He's off to the church later, "it is proposed to have a matinee with the hotel Talkie projector! They work if only at quiet times, for at busy ones it stops the audience drinking - they soon proved that!"
There is a cold going around the inn, that he has just shaken (and possibly spread?). "It must be Germs or Air Wardens; we have the latter but no sand bags, and it is not fashionable to carry masks."

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 on holiday in Gloucestershire. He reckons her wish of flying over the Cotswolds won't be too extraordinary given the RAF base there already.
On a long walk around Maugersbury and Icomb he walked a very lonely stretch without even a cow to say hello to and was glad of the bath when he got back to the Old New Inn.
There's a reference to a Tommy who sounds like he's enlisted in the war effort. Griff hopes he gets posted to Egypt or Bermuda, "to release a regular garrison." No idea why he wants him so far away!
It sounds like there are children staying at the inn? Possibly evacuated?
It's a bit different from Manchester, the "whole village seems to be in bed" for 1030pm. He's looking forward to seeing her on Wednesday.

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 say good night to Ida so is writing this letter. He hopes to see her for their usual Tuesday date, "even though Hitler is no gentleman, I doubt if he dare interfere very much with Tuesdays."
He hopes to know if he will be called to sing with the Halle Choir, "after all, the men look so outnumbered that they might well be included in full."
He hopes to see her at the Ashton-under-Lyne offices and has drawn her a map, "but in all fairness I must stress again that the surroundings are unlovely and the office itself stone-cold."

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 had a nice walk home from their date. Well, he thinks the walk was nice but he admits to spending most of it thinking about how beautiful she was. He feels guilty about keeping her up late but begs another 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.