Ken Cooper
LIFE IN THE CHURCH CHOIR From 1926-31 - From The Croxley Green Resident issue 182
I was a member of the Choir. There were two hurdles to joining. The easier was a voice test by the choir master. The other was the choir's own test. The 'Devil's Bush' was the lower branches of an old Cedar tree on the North side of the Church and into those branches the new recruit was unceremoniously thrown by the senior boys before being accepted as a full member. I was eight years old when this happened to me and had joined a group of some sixteen boys who met every Tuesday and Friday at 7 p.m. for a practice which was extended on Friday when other voices arrived piecemeal for 8 o'clock. At the end of each three months I was paid 2/6 (12%p) but each unexplained absence or lateness was penalised % old penny. Two Sunday services and an occasional wedding (extra pay of course) made up the requirements of the duties. The Choir-master was Mr E. Lewis Fanning who lived at Chalfont St. Giles and had a car! Some phrasing of hymns and psalms, which he insisted on, have stayed with me. One word I always pick up whenever I hear or sing hymns is COMFORT, usually sung COMFERT.
The Vicar of All Saints Croxley Green in the 20's and 30's was the Rev. Blois Bisshopp. He had defective sight of some sort, which made him view his prayer book with his head askew. That did not, however, stop him from riding his motorbike round the lanes of Hertfordshire as if he were late for every appointment. Each Sunday he had to get to Chandler's Cross for an afternoon service at 3 p.m .. This was held in the building, still there, opposite the Clarendon Arms. May Ricketts, who opened up and then played the piano for the hymns, set off on her cycle in good time and was sometimes accompanied by a couple of us youngsters from the Church choir. It was always a worrying few minutes before three o'clock until the noise of the motorcycle was heard. Despite the weather, I don't think many services were missed' Names which come to mind and are probably spread over the five years in cassock and surplice include: Arthur Lamesly, who was chief boy then when I joined and his brother Frank who had to walk or cycle the length of the main path through the woods from their home near the railway cutting; John Singleton, remembered particularly for his solo singing; Arthur Toms; Maurrie Swaine; Ron Denton; Herby Reeves; Eddie Ballard; Jim Newman, who had a very serious accident at work and recovered to become the manager of a newsagents in North Watford, and Bernard Young. More of him later. Of the Choir Men, one, whose name I cannot recall but whose Alto voice was
always a pleasure to hear, is clear in my mind, but who could forget Fred Heckford, who tapped many a boy in the front row for not paying attention to Mr. Bishop's sermon. Then there was Harry Melior and his father; Les Lipscombe; Dick Denton, Ron's brother; Chapman, who died of TB in his 20's; Horace Toms, Arthur's Father and Percy Graver, who became a teacher and married a teacher from All Saints' Girls' School.
Once a month there was a sung Eucharist following the shortened Matins. One of the settings for this was'Marbeck' and was disliked by all of us, but other settings were appreciated because of the extra interest they brought to the service. Occasionally we would sing an Anthem at Evensong and this usually meant an extra quarter of an
hour on Tuesday and there was always a Cantata at Easter, Redemption, Messiah or Crucifixion. These nearly always required outside soloists for some of the parts. When the Church Hall was opened, there was a concert and the choir performed Hiawatha's Wedding Feast and I often recall snatches of the piece, but this was the only occasion I can remember singing anything of a secular nature during my five year connection.
THE CHOIR AT CHRISTMAS At Christmas, the boys of the choir were empowered by the Vicar, the reverend C. H. Blois Bisshopp, to visit houses in the village to sing carols. The route was traditional and invariable - for how long I do not know, but we were always expected at the houses along the way and always welcomed. Although it
mainly followed the same route as the Croxley Mummers, I do not ever remember meeting them at any of the houses or on the road. We started at the Vicarage where we sang in the hall and then collected the Vicar's letter. We made our way to the top of Scott's Hill and the home of Mr. Catesby, who had the linoleum business of that name in Tottenham Court Road London. We always sang two or three carols which we had practised for the Carol Service at the Church and it was never less than a quarter of an hour at each house. It was back past the 'Sportsman' and up the green to 'Elmcote' where one of the Church wardens, Mr Adams lived. Our arrival was greeted by the butler, Mr Graver, who invited us into the entrance hall, and after singing to all the folk standing in all the doorways, a large plate of mince pies was produced and devoured. Turning left down the path to Copthorne - now Old Barn Lane, we proceeded to the house of Mr Ingleby Oddie, who was a Coroner in London. From there along Copthorne Road back to the Green and to the 'Firs' and Sir Frederick Heaton. Here we were always given a mint Florin (10p) each. Continuing up .the Green and along by the high wall which surrounds Croxley House (which we did not visit) and where Sarratt Lane goes off left, we followed the bridle path towards Chandler's Cross. On the left is the entrance to 'Redheath', now York House School, but then the home of one of the brothers of Victor Healy Hutchinson, the musician. Here we were escorted through the house to the hall and told to remove our coats, scarves and gloves. Children in night-clothes and servants in uniform appeared and sat on the stairs whilst adults, remembered as in evening dress, sat on chairs. After the carols there was cocoa and mince pies before we dressed again and with a monetary handout from the host we were escorted back the way we had entered.
On the way to Chandler's Cross, we had to go along Finches Avenue and the younger boys were regaled with stories of ghosts which each of the older boys
swore they had both seen and heard on previous visits and which one of the party would bring to life with blood curdling calls. Along this path, we often heard the hoots of owls which added to the story. With the Clarendon Arms on the left and on up the hill past Yew Tree Farm where the tall Yew hedge on either side of the entrance rose to a great height, to our young eyes (they are now kept well topped), and left to follow the long drive to the White House. Here too, we were always invited into the hall and sang to the assembled house staff, who were always in uniform. After we had finished our singing, the butler would go up the impressive staircase to return a few minutes later with a crisp new £1 note, which he gave to the chief Choir-boy. Then followed more mince pies and cocoa. I understood that the owner was an old lady confined to her bedroom. We returned to the top of the Green along the lanes as far as Little Green Lane behind the wall of Croxley House to 'Waterdell'. In the grounds was a building housing an electricity generator - a joy for a young boy to watch when it was working. 'Waterdell' made full use of the electricity by having bright lights
at the front door. The Forbes family opened the front door and stood around in the hall to hear our efforts. Down the Green and to our last visit. Colonel Woolridge welcomed us to 'Parrotts', one of the oldest houses in the village. Now legs weary, we shared the proceeds and went home. I do not remember a wet Christmas Eve
during this five years, nor a white one.
Ken Cooper - formerly of School House
I was a member of the Choir. There were two hurdles to joining. The easier was a voice test by the choir master. The other was the choir's own test. The 'Devil's Bush' was the lower branches of an old Cedar tree on the North side of the Church and into those branches the new recruit was unceremoniously thrown by the senior boys before being accepted as a full member. I was eight years old when this happened to me and had joined a group of some sixteen boys who met every Tuesday and Friday at 7 p.m. for a practice which was extended on Friday when other voices arrived piecemeal for 8 o'clock. At the end of each three months I was paid 2/6 (12%p) but each unexplained absence or lateness was penalised % old penny. Two Sunday services and an occasional wedding (extra pay of course) made up the requirements of the duties. The Choir-master was Mr E. Lewis Fanning who lived at Chalfont St. Giles and had a car! Some phrasing of hymns and psalms, which he insisted on, have stayed with me. One word I always pick up whenever I hear or sing hymns is COMFORT, usually sung COMFERT.
The Vicar of All Saints Croxley Green in the 20's and 30's was the Rev. Blois Bisshopp. He had defective sight of some sort, which made him view his prayer book with his head askew. That did not, however, stop him from riding his motorbike round the lanes of Hertfordshire as if he were late for every appointment. Each Sunday he had to get to Chandler's Cross for an afternoon service at 3 p.m .. This was held in the building, still there, opposite the Clarendon Arms. May Ricketts, who opened up and then played the piano for the hymns, set off on her cycle in good time and was sometimes accompanied by a couple of us youngsters from the Church choir. It was always a worrying few minutes before three o'clock until the noise of the motorcycle was heard. Despite the weather, I don't think many services were missed' Names which come to mind and are probably spread over the five years in cassock and surplice include: Arthur Lamesly, who was chief boy then when I joined and his brother Frank who had to walk or cycle the length of the main path through the woods from their home near the railway cutting; John Singleton, remembered particularly for his solo singing; Arthur Toms; Maurrie Swaine; Ron Denton; Herby Reeves; Eddie Ballard; Jim Newman, who had a very serious accident at work and recovered to become the manager of a newsagents in North Watford, and Bernard Young. More of him later. Of the Choir Men, one, whose name I cannot recall but whose Alto voice was
always a pleasure to hear, is clear in my mind, but who could forget Fred Heckford, who tapped many a boy in the front row for not paying attention to Mr. Bishop's sermon. Then there was Harry Melior and his father; Les Lipscombe; Dick Denton, Ron's brother; Chapman, who died of TB in his 20's; Horace Toms, Arthur's Father and Percy Graver, who became a teacher and married a teacher from All Saints' Girls' School.
Once a month there was a sung Eucharist following the shortened Matins. One of the settings for this was'Marbeck' and was disliked by all of us, but other settings were appreciated because of the extra interest they brought to the service. Occasionally we would sing an Anthem at Evensong and this usually meant an extra quarter of an
hour on Tuesday and there was always a Cantata at Easter, Redemption, Messiah or Crucifixion. These nearly always required outside soloists for some of the parts. When the Church Hall was opened, there was a concert and the choir performed Hiawatha's Wedding Feast and I often recall snatches of the piece, but this was the only occasion I can remember singing anything of a secular nature during my five year connection.
THE CHOIR AT CHRISTMAS At Christmas, the boys of the choir were empowered by the Vicar, the reverend C. H. Blois Bisshopp, to visit houses in the village to sing carols. The route was traditional and invariable - for how long I do not know, but we were always expected at the houses along the way and always welcomed. Although it
mainly followed the same route as the Croxley Mummers, I do not ever remember meeting them at any of the houses or on the road. We started at the Vicarage where we sang in the hall and then collected the Vicar's letter. We made our way to the top of Scott's Hill and the home of Mr. Catesby, who had the linoleum business of that name in Tottenham Court Road London. We always sang two or three carols which we had practised for the Carol Service at the Church and it was never less than a quarter of an hour at each house. It was back past the 'Sportsman' and up the green to 'Elmcote' where one of the Church wardens, Mr Adams lived. Our arrival was greeted by the butler, Mr Graver, who invited us into the entrance hall, and after singing to all the folk standing in all the doorways, a large plate of mince pies was produced and devoured. Turning left down the path to Copthorne - now Old Barn Lane, we proceeded to the house of Mr Ingleby Oddie, who was a Coroner in London. From there along Copthorne Road back to the Green and to the 'Firs' and Sir Frederick Heaton. Here we were always given a mint Florin (10p) each. Continuing up .the Green and along by the high wall which surrounds Croxley House (which we did not visit) and where Sarratt Lane goes off left, we followed the bridle path towards Chandler's Cross. On the left is the entrance to 'Redheath', now York House School, but then the home of one of the brothers of Victor Healy Hutchinson, the musician. Here we were escorted through the house to the hall and told to remove our coats, scarves and gloves. Children in night-clothes and servants in uniform appeared and sat on the stairs whilst adults, remembered as in evening dress, sat on chairs. After the carols there was cocoa and mince pies before we dressed again and with a monetary handout from the host we were escorted back the way we had entered.
On the way to Chandler's Cross, we had to go along Finches Avenue and the younger boys were regaled with stories of ghosts which each of the older boys
swore they had both seen and heard on previous visits and which one of the party would bring to life with blood curdling calls. Along this path, we often heard the hoots of owls which added to the story. With the Clarendon Arms on the left and on up the hill past Yew Tree Farm where the tall Yew hedge on either side of the entrance rose to a great height, to our young eyes (they are now kept well topped), and left to follow the long drive to the White House. Here too, we were always invited into the hall and sang to the assembled house staff, who were always in uniform. After we had finished our singing, the butler would go up the impressive staircase to return a few minutes later with a crisp new £1 note, which he gave to the chief Choir-boy. Then followed more mince pies and cocoa. I understood that the owner was an old lady confined to her bedroom. We returned to the top of the Green along the lanes as far as Little Green Lane behind the wall of Croxley House to 'Waterdell'. In the grounds was a building housing an electricity generator - a joy for a young boy to watch when it was working. 'Waterdell' made full use of the electricity by having bright lights
at the front door. The Forbes family opened the front door and stood around in the hall to hear our efforts. Down the Green and to our last visit. Colonel Woolridge welcomed us to 'Parrotts', one of the oldest houses in the village. Now legs weary, we shared the proceeds and went home. I do not remember a wet Christmas Eve
during this five years, nor a white one.
Ken Cooper - formerly of School House
Random thoughts on Croxley Green - Croxley Green families In the 20's and30's.
Round about 1930, the girls of All Saints Girls' School were hosts to children sponsored by the Islington Medical Mission. Some thirty children were greeted at the Met. Station and each one taken to the host's home for a snack. The afternoon was spent in walking round the village, into the woods, on to Mill Field, the Green or to Copthorne. At about three o'clock all gathered at the pavilion on the Dickinson Sports Field for a drink and a bun and then they were escorted back to the station, many of them clutching a bunch of drooping wild flowers. I know some lasting friendships were made on those days. Farmer "Nabby" Sears had his milking parlour at the top of Scott's Hill and as his farm was at the top of the Green, he had to bring his cows the length of the Green twice a day for them to be milked. They munched their way in both directions. One of the items at the concert given when the Church Hall was officially opened was the singing of "Hiawatha's Wedding Feast" by the Church Choir. The only time I can remember that the Choir performed secular music. The crowning of the May Queen was always a memorable day and was held on Empire Day. Somewhere there must be a record of the names of those girls and their attendants. It is possible that it is in the Log Book for All Saints Girls School. (Croxley Green Society has such a list but it is not 100% complete.
If anyone has any information please contact the Editor).
Ester Horwood and her younger brother from the top of Scots Hill. Jimmy Revell from the Cycle Shop on Scott's Hill. Norma Brown whose father had a deformed leg from the First World War, also on Scots Hill. Edwin Pitkin whose father was an Urban District Councillor, lived next door. Madeline Eggar whose father ran the newsagent's and sweet
shop next to the Sportsman. Winnie Wyndow and her brother from the haberdashers on Scott's Hill. The Lamsley brothers, Arthur and Frank, whose mother was housekeeper to the big house "down the woods". Louie Tyter and her brother from Watford Road. Jack Soaster and his cousin, Eileen, from next door in the houses across from the end of Yorke Road. Muriel Graves from the corner'of Harvey Road, she became a teacher. Bert Tibbles from Harvey Road. Herby Reeves and his brother Ave, whose father was in the Mill Power House. Vic Richardson, Sylvia Blackman and her sister all from Gonville Avenue. Gwen Essen who became Mrs. Chapman, both husband and wife died of 'consumption' very young. Harold Vollum and his sister, Joyce, from New Road. The Ballard family from Yorke Road, Dad was School Attendance Officer. Bernard Young whose dad was the Printer in Yorke Road. Dennis Turner and his sister, Mona, from Springfield Close. Daphne Palmer whose father was a cobbler in New Road. Lola Warne and' her brother from New Road who sorted 'seconds' paper from the Mill. The Francis family, builders and decorators in New Road. Eunice Prime and Eunice Element, Queenie Bass and Trich Alien, whose brother Sam was killed at the top of Scott's Hill when he lost control of his motor cycle, were all in the village. Claude Harriman and his sister Mary who lived in a wooden bungalow by Siegwart's Works at the, end of Frankland Road. Maurice Swaine and his sister Margery lived next to the blacksmith's in New Road. [Petrol now!I}. Margery became Mrs. Johnson and lived in Harwoods Road Watford. Ron Denton came from a big family in Dickinson's Avenue. Stewart Miles, Hazel and Phil from opposite the Met. stationn, Poppy Payne and her sister from New Road opposite the Science Room. Ken Cyster and Chris Wadsworth from Dickinson Ave. Arthur Toms and a brother in Yorke Road. Their Granny, Childs, lived at Little Green. Brian Burt lived opposite the blacksmiths. Jimmy Newman, working as an apprentice plumber, had a very serious accident at Mount Vernon Hospital. He spent over a year in hospital with multiple scalds. He married the nurse who looked after him and became the manager of a newsagent's and tobacconist's shop in North Watford. Fenner-Brockways daughters attended All Saints' School for a while from their house at Loudwater. Harry Melior lived on the Green and married Lorna Asprey. Brian Wallis' family were builders at the Green end of New Road. He became a teacher and lived in High Street Rickmansworth. 'Chis' Millway married Joyce Denton. Geoff Newton became a florist at the Station end of New Road.
Ken Cooper from School House Yorke Road penned these notes.
Taken from The Croxley Resident, Issue 183 2001
If anyone has any information please contact the Editor).
Ester Horwood and her younger brother from the top of Scots Hill. Jimmy Revell from the Cycle Shop on Scott's Hill. Norma Brown whose father had a deformed leg from the First World War, also on Scots Hill. Edwin Pitkin whose father was an Urban District Councillor, lived next door. Madeline Eggar whose father ran the newsagent's and sweet
shop next to the Sportsman. Winnie Wyndow and her brother from the haberdashers on Scott's Hill. The Lamsley brothers, Arthur and Frank, whose mother was housekeeper to the big house "down the woods". Louie Tyter and her brother from Watford Road. Jack Soaster and his cousin, Eileen, from next door in the houses across from the end of Yorke Road. Muriel Graves from the corner'of Harvey Road, she became a teacher. Bert Tibbles from Harvey Road. Herby Reeves and his brother Ave, whose father was in the Mill Power House. Vic Richardson, Sylvia Blackman and her sister all from Gonville Avenue. Gwen Essen who became Mrs. Chapman, both husband and wife died of 'consumption' very young. Harold Vollum and his sister, Joyce, from New Road. The Ballard family from Yorke Road, Dad was School Attendance Officer. Bernard Young whose dad was the Printer in Yorke Road. Dennis Turner and his sister, Mona, from Springfield Close. Daphne Palmer whose father was a cobbler in New Road. Lola Warne and' her brother from New Road who sorted 'seconds' paper from the Mill. The Francis family, builders and decorators in New Road. Eunice Prime and Eunice Element, Queenie Bass and Trich Alien, whose brother Sam was killed at the top of Scott's Hill when he lost control of his motor cycle, were all in the village. Claude Harriman and his sister Mary who lived in a wooden bungalow by Siegwart's Works at the, end of Frankland Road. Maurice Swaine and his sister Margery lived next to the blacksmith's in New Road. [Petrol now!I}. Margery became Mrs. Johnson and lived in Harwoods Road Watford. Ron Denton came from a big family in Dickinson's Avenue. Stewart Miles, Hazel and Phil from opposite the Met. stationn, Poppy Payne and her sister from New Road opposite the Science Room. Ken Cyster and Chris Wadsworth from Dickinson Ave. Arthur Toms and a brother in Yorke Road. Their Granny, Childs, lived at Little Green. Brian Burt lived opposite the blacksmiths. Jimmy Newman, working as an apprentice plumber, had a very serious accident at Mount Vernon Hospital. He spent over a year in hospital with multiple scalds. He married the nurse who looked after him and became the manager of a newsagent's and tobacconist's shop in North Watford. Fenner-Brockways daughters attended All Saints' School for a while from their house at Loudwater. Harry Melior lived on the Green and married Lorna Asprey. Brian Wallis' family were builders at the Green end of New Road. He became a teacher and lived in High Street Rickmansworth. 'Chis' Millway married Joyce Denton. Geoff Newton became a florist at the Station end of New Road.
Ken Cooper from School House Yorke Road penned these notes.
Taken from The Croxley Resident, Issue 183 2001
