Reminiscences of Rotherham
by Alderman Geo. Gummer, J.P.
« « prevAs Mayor of the town and also as a P.P.G.M. of the Order- it became my privilege to extend to Bro.Vallender a hearty welcome. This took place at a social gathering at which friends from all the Lodges in the district and other brethren, including a number of ladies, were present. After the ceremony of opening the billiard room had been per formed, Bro. Vallender and I played the first game of billiards in the new room- At the meeting in the large hall which followed, I remember a few of the veterans present, such as Bros. J. T. Rushforth, CS., W. G. Gregory, P.P.G.M., A. O. Hutchinson, P.P.G.M., Henry Crank, P.P.G.M., Henry Noon, G.M., Wm. Eskholme, P.P.G.M., H.C. Tayler, P.P.G.M., and Dransfield. During his stay in Rotherham the Grand Master, who was my guest, visited several of the large works, and left us with a much better impression of Rotherham’s importance than he had previous to his visit.
This, I believe, is not unusual with people who visit Rotherham for the first time.
ROTHER MINSTRELS
I wonder how many of my readers remember the good work of that amateur troupe of performers known by the name of the Rother Minstrels. They were banded together to provide innocent amuse ment for the public and at the same time funds for one of our most deserving institutions, the Rotherham Infirmary. A few of the names of the members of the troupe which occur to me are Tom Newsum and W. Lily (first tenors), Harry Taylor, Barry Hall, and George May (corner men), W. H. Roberts,W.G.Gummer and Willie Watson. One must not over look the work of Alfred Houldsworth, the musical director, or of John Crosby, the treasurer.
The local references by the corner men, particularly those of Harry Taylor, usually hit off the peculiarities of an alderman or a town councillor, and offence (where none was intended) was sometimes taken by thin-skinned representatives of the public. These annual performances were eagerly looked forward to, and the Drill Hall was usually packed with an appreciative audience. As a result of their work the Rotherham Hospital benefited by several thousands of pounds. In connection with their performances the minister of a local chapel made himself most unpopular by a letter he addressed to The Advertiser protesting against the entertainment. The offended pastor described it as unre fined and undignified and distinctlt unchristian - with their soot and grease, their senseless jests, and their coarse farces. Rarely does a letter cause such indignation, but not only did the local Press condemn the reverend gentleman’s attitude, but dozens of letters of protest were written, and for many months references were made to the subject at public places. An eloquent and popular preacher, a member of the School Board, and a leading Liberal, the rev, gentle man, as a result of this denunciation, became most unpopular, and the remembrance of this unpleasant episode lasted for many years. It was apparent that he had never attended a Moore and Burgess performance or he would never have thought of speaking of this voluntary and clean entertainment in other than commendatory terms.