Did you know that Earlston once had its own orchestra -
known as the Earlston Orchestral Party?
"Earlston Clubs and Societies" was the intended theme of our 2020 exhibition - postponed of course because of the Corona Virus. Earlston Orchestral Party was just one of these groups that residents could enjoy in times past.
So here as a taster for hopefully next year, when we will be featuring items on all kinds of local organisations - sporting, social, youth, musical, dramatic, educational etc. - including some you may never have heard of.
Earlston Orchestra in Concert, 1898
The earliest reference found in the local press to the Orchestral Party (sometimes called Orchestral Society) was in “The Southern Reporter“: 28th October 1886. The occasion was a concert and dance, organised by Earlston Street Lighting Committee to raise funds to provide winter street lighting in the village. After the concert part of the evening, dancing
Southern Reporter: 28th October 1886
Throughout the first half of the 20th century, local newspapers regularly reported on the activities of the orchestra. Chief conductor was Mr. Samuel Fisher, with Miss May Smith and Miss Betty Kerr taking on the role as deputies.
1902 – At the church choir social evening, “The Orchestral Party discoursed excellent music throughout the evening, which was spent in singing, reciting and dancing." "(Berwickshire News: 4th March 1902.
1903 - The Southern Reporter: 23rd April referred to a presentation of a handsome silver mounted ebony walking stick, suitably inscribed, made to Mr. Bertie Smith on his moving away from the village. He was
“made the recipient of a handsome gift from the Earlston Orchestral Society of which he had been a member since its inception and in appreciation of his services as Orchestral Accompanist.”
1906 - The Berwickshire News: 17th July gave a fulsome report on another presentation to a founder member, when Samuel Fisher, conductor, entertained members of the society to tea, after which a presentation was made of a silver cake basket to Miss Ethel S. Younger on the occasion of her forthcoming marriage. Mr Fisher referred to her:
"great musical gifts, zeal and enthusiasm for her studies as a violinist and the valuable support she had always given the orchestra in their public engagements, in which she uniformly acquitted herself with the utmost credit".
During the First World War, the Orchestral Party was a regular participant in fund raising concerts, held to provide Christmas gifts to serving soldiers; to assist the War Relief Fund; and for the War Comforts Fund under the banner “Under the Flag of Britain” in a programme of patriotic music, with the plaudits:
“The Earlston Orchestra gained fresh laurels from the high standard of excellence reached by its members”. (Berwickshire News: 7th December 1915)
The 1920s marked a busy time for the orchestra. Events included playing at Carolside in aid of the Scottish War Memorial Church [at Edinburgh Castle]; at a major two-day Masonic Bazaar; and at Earlston Horticultural Show where the:
"The pleasure
During the decade, other performances were given at a Golf Club gift sale; a concert at the Earlston Lodge of Good Templars; a WRI sale of work where the orchestral played "in a tasteful and effective style"; at a lecture on "A Month in Sunny Italy" held at Ercildoune Church Young Men's Club, and at a Kinderspiel (children's play) to raise money
for the children's excursion fund.
A Kinderspiel Concert in Earlston - undated.
In the 1930s only two appearances of the orchestra were noted in the local press - in a concert with Earlston Dramatic Society and at a concert in aid of the church hall renovation.
Conductor Samuel Fisher died 8th May 1938 aged 75, buried in Earlston Churchyard.
POSTSCRIPT
An obituary paid tribute to Mr Adam Hewitt as “one of the prime movers and founders, along with the late Mr. Samuel Fisher of Earlston Orchestral Society, now alas! defunct.” (The Southern Reporter: 29th May 1941).
In the same year, an obituary of Mr David Hogg, a handloom weaver, noted that “he was the last of the original founders of Earlston Orchestral Party among whom he played the double bass for a long period" (The Berwickshire News: 2nd. September 1941).
But with the death of Samuel Fisher,
this once showcase of Earlston musical talent appeared
to come to an end.
SOURCE
British Newspapers 1710-1963 on FindMyPast
Contributor: Susan Donaldson of the Auld Earlston Group
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