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A Retrospect
Taken from the Chaucer Press Review Vol 4 No. 2 Autumn 1949

THE BUNGAY LABOUR MALE VOICE CHOIR - By W. Edmunds

The Bungay Labour Male Voice Choir was inaugurated by the writer in 1927 in emulation of the efforts of the miners' choirs who toured the district during the General Strike. Mr. J. J. Doe, of the "Three Tuns" Hotel, promised his help and support, also the loan of the "Tuns" Assembly Room for meetings and rehearsals. A meeting of known singers was called to discuss the question, and it was decided to start a male voice choir, to be limited to members or supporters of the Trade Union Movement. The writer was appointed chairman and Mr. Samuel Smith secretary, and they were deputed to interview Mr. A. P. Whitaker, M.A., a Grammar School master and conductor of the Bungay Choral Society, to ask him if he would be conductor of the proposed choir. Mr. Whitaker was very sympathetic, but was unable to accept, and suggested Mr. E. C. Knights, another well- known musician and local school teacher. Mr. Knights consented, and Mrs. C. R. Minns, A.T.C.L., was asked and consented to act as accompanist.

A few well-known part songs were purchased, and weekly rehearsals started at the "Tuns" Assembly Room. A few more voices joined, and the number rose to twenty, most of them employed at the Chaucer Press. After a few months the conductor thought the choir was efficient enough to give or to assist at local concerts and entertainments, and to help at Labour meetings, and before a year had passed it had given performances at Lowestoft, Norwich, Wymondham, Beccles, Loddon, Halesworth, Southwold, etc., being complimented everywhere they performed. There were some good soloists and comedians in the choir, and it could give a good mixed concert, or, if necessary, a completely sacred one. One such was given at the Co-operative Hall, Ipswich, on a Sunday night, to a very large and appreciative audience.

The photograph reproduced was taken before a journey to Ipswich in 1931 and the members, from left to right, were as follows: Back row, C. Riches, L. A. Minns, R. Honeywood, F. Turner, C. Earl, C. R. Minns, H. Daniels, T. Knights, H. Codling, C. Williams, E. Mayes, R. Doe, W. James. Front row, J. J. Doe, S. Smith, Mrs. C. R. Minns, E. C. Knights, W. Edmunds, E. C. Hindry, J. Gordon,

The fact was not overlooked, however, that it was a Labour choir, and it sang at many Labour meetings in the constituency, not forgetting the smaller villages, where a welcome was always assured. Its repertoire soon numbered some forty part-songs, as well as many solos and duets, including "The Comrade's Song of Hope", "The Beleagured", "Hallelujah Chorus", "Soldiers Chorus" from Faust, "Bill of Fare", "Fain Would I Change that Note", "Hob a Derry Denno", "Dusty Mile", "Keys of Heaven", "Creation's Hymn", "Jerusalem", "0, Mistress Mine", "Peaceful Night", "Out of the Deep", "0 Saviour of the World", "All Through the Night", "Home Sweet Home", "Evening and Morning", "Softly Fall the Shades of Evening", "Autumn Leaves", etc., and of course "The Red Flag" and "When Wilt Thou Save the People?"

In the second year of its existence the choir competed at the Norfolk Musical Festival Competition at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, and was awarded first place, the adjudicator, Mr. (now Sir Thomas) Dunhill saying it was a well-balanced choir which sang with great feeling, and he had no hesitation in awarding it the highest marks. Lowestoft Male Voice Choir were second and Blofield third. The next two years were very busy ones for the choir, and rarely a week passed without it singing somewhere in the surrounding towns and villages, and many performances were given in the "Tuns" Room. The choir again competed at Norwich, but were second to the Wisbech choir, which was really a grand one.

Then the shadows began to fall. Mr. Knights had left Bungay and had gone to Metfield school, but as he was still living in Bungay this was no great hindrance, as the field was widened, and many concerts were given in Metfield school. After some time, however, Mr. Knights left Metfield for Friston, near Saxmundham, where he was offered a house. Mr. Doe also left the "Tuns" Hotel, and to crown all Mrs. Minns was unable to continue as accompanist. So in 1932 the choir had regretfully to disband. Many happy times had been spent by its members, and the outings greatly enjoyed. One little episode will always be remembered. On one of our outings our charabanc had to stop at the Darsham Station crossing for a London train, and while we waited scores of other coaches joined in the queue. So we gave them an impromptu concert from our bus, and the enthusiastic reception we received from the waiting crowd was a nice gesture.

Taken from the Chaucer Press Review

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