News from the Past Researched by Mike Belcher
18/10/1958     Cheslyn Hay Choir wins Second Prize
Although adjudicator Edric Cundell praised the strong attack, and the impressive style of Cheslyn Hay Male Voice choirs singing at the Leicester music festival on Saturday last, they were only able to secure second place, sandwiched between the other two choirs that sang in their class.  The Cheslyn Hay choir were awarded 85 points for the test piece and 86 points for their own choice “O, ye people” a total of 171, as against the winners 173 points.

18/10/1958     Missing cup found at last
The missing original Penkridge Charity Cup has at last been located.
Previous holder of it Mr.C.Elwell left Cheslyn Hay some time ago, and married not long after leaving.  He died, so Mr.Charlie Wood of High Street wrote to Mr.Elwell’s widow asking if he might have the cup back, as it was of great sentimental value to him.  Mr. Wood still has this treasured memory of his younger days.

18/10/1958     Church Organist for 21 Years
Mr.Laurence C.Hawkins, of Wellington Villa, Cheslyn Hay, who has been one of the foremost of Cannock Chase musicians for many years, has just completed 21 years as organist at St. Peter’s church Hednesford.  Mr.Hawkins comes of a musical family and he and his brother the late Mr.Arnold S.Hawkins have been leaders of the musical village of Cheslyn Hay which has produced fine choirs, soloists, and instrumentalists.  Mr.Laurence Hawkins played the organ for a service when he was only nine years of age, and was deputy to his brother at Salem Church, Cheslyn Hay, for seven years.  In 1919 he was appointed organist at St. Mark’s Church, Great Wyrley, and he held that appointment until 1937, when he was appointed to Hednesford Parish Church.

Talented accompanist
Mr.Hawkins is one of the foremost musicians in the Midlands, and music has been his main interest outside his normal work.  He is recognised as an accompanist and pianist of great talent.  In the days of the old Cannock Flower Show and Musical Festival he was official accompanist for seven years and was praised by judges, critics and competitors alike.  Mr.Hawkins has held many positions in musical circles.  He was accompanist to the Cheslyn Hay Madrigal Society, member of the Cheslyn Hay Symphonic Quartette, which, with his brother director, gave him many concerts in Midland counties.

Singer
In his younger days Mr.Hawkins was also a singer, and he was in the first choir concert to be given at Walsall Town Hall.  He also sang in the chorus of “Hiawatha” conducted by the composer Mr.Coleridge Taylor.  Mr.Hawkins has met many personalities, and when he was sole director and accompanist for concerts at the Queens Hall, Cannock, from 1928 to 1932, he introduced world famous artists to the area.  Always at the end of concerts the vocalists brought him forward in acknowledgement of his accompaniments.  Mr.Hawkins, who was mentioned in “Who’s Who in Music” in 1935, was accompanist to the late Katherine Ferrier when she visited Cheslyn Hay – incidentally it was her first visit to the Midlands.  Mr.Hawkins, who has an unerring ear for musical talent of all descriptions, told the Advertiser that Kathleen Ferrier would be world famous years before she hit the headlines.  Mr.Hawkins has taught many pupils in the Cannock Chase area, and many of them have become talented players.

“Masterly manner”
Whenever he played, Mr.Hawkins received press tributes.  One appeared in the Advertiser in 1926 concerning the Cannock Musical Festival.  It read; “Sir Richard Terry (an adjudicator) asks the Advertiser to place on record his appreciation of the masterly manner in which Mr.Laurence Hawkins played accompaniments.  “In a number of instances erratic movements by the vocalist or violinist were bridged over by Mr.Hawkins without the incident being noticed by the audience”.  Mr.Hawkins is a keen sportsman.  He is a follower of Warwickshire Cricket Club, and has seen many test matches.  He also supports Wolves.

1/11/1958     Bowling Presentation
Highlight of the Cannock Chase Thursday Bowling League during the past year, it was stated at a presentation on Thursday week, at the Wheatsheaf Inn, Cannock, was the bowling feat of Mr.Harry Hicken of the Woodman.  He scored 269 points out of a possible 270, played 18 games and only lost one.  During his career he has played 57 games for Staffordshire lost 13 and only played four at home.

8/11/1958     Disaster fund to be distributed
Hawkins Colliery Disaster Fund, closed at the end of September, realised a total of £412, 13s 1d announced Mr.W.E.Wellsbury, chairman of Cannock Rural District Council, at Tuesdays meeting.  A sub-committee has been appointed to deal with the fund, and they hope to dispose of the money before Christmas.  Mr.Wellsbury made particular mention of the work done by Mr.D.Brough and his particular district.  Mr.Brough, a representative of Cheslyn Hay, is himself employed at the colliery.  “I congratulate him and his welfare association (Hawkins Colliery Sports Club) for the excellent work they have done” said the chairman.  The accident, in which three men lost their lives, occurred on Wednesday June 11.

8/11/1958     Big Housing Scheme for Cheslyn Hay
A tender of £76,137, 9s 9d for the erection of 64 houses and 19 garages on the Littlewood Lane site, Cheslyn Hay, has been provisionally accepted by Cannock Rural District Council.  It is subject to the approval of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, and application is to be made for consent to a loan not exceeding £76,480.

15/11/1958    Cheslyn Hay pays tribute
Local organisations represented at the Cheslyn Hay service at the war memorial on Sunday morning were the British Legion, Parish Council, R.A.O.B. (Colliers Arms Lodge) Girl Guides and Boy Scouts, and other local bodies.  The service was conducted by the Rev.W.R.Kerry and wreaths on behalf of the various organisations were laid by Mr.S.Perks, Mr.J.Dawkins, Mr.T.Smith, Mr.O.Dunn, and Mr.H.Brough.  The British Legion standard bearer was Mr.R.Moore and Miss E.Evans carried the Girl Guides Standard.  The procession marched to Salem Methodist Church where a well-attended service was conducted by the Rev.Kerry.  Lessons were read by Mr.J.Cartwright and Mr.S.Allen.  The collection on behalf of Earl Haig’s fund realised £8.

20/12/1958    Scholars Party at Cheslyn Hay
Seventy scholars of Mount Zion Methodist Church, Cheslyn Hay, were entertained to tea on Saturday, on the occasion of the annual Sunday school party.  The arrangements were made by church officers and Sunday school teachers, under the leadership of Mrs.E.Dutton.  The party was followed by a film show, with Mr.W.Benton, of Bloxwich, as the projectionist.  The church held its annual prize distribution on Sunday, when Mrs. Dutton again presided.  The presentation of the prizes to members of the Sunday school was made by Mr.J.Nicholls, of Essington.  Miss M.Pee was the organist and a lesson was read by Miss Sheila Cartwright.

20/12/1958     The Choir Remembered Friend
Before giving a concert at Cheslyn Hay Working Men’s Club on Sunday evening, the male voice choir of the club gathered and walked to the house of the oldest chorister, Mr.W.Perks, who has been unable to attend the rehearsals for some time owing to ill health.  At the house, the choir sang some of Mr. Perks’s favourite carols and part songs, and wished him a speedy recovery.  Mr.Perks is over 80 and sings second tenor.  The choir returned to the club to entertain members in the re-furnished and redecorated Marina room.  Their rendering of the “Comrades song of hope”, a favourite with the audience and the choir was particularly well received.  The conductor, Mr.Howard Benton, explained that of the carols which the choir sang, three were connected with the area, the arrangements for them having been made by the late Mr.Cornelius Whitehouse, of Bridgtown.  Further entertainment was provided by baritone Mr.Gordon Boycott, who also sang with the choir.  Mr.L.Sleigh, a well-known trumpeter in the area, entertained with some well-known “pop” tunes.

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