AIR RAID RELIEF

Evening Star, Issue 23744, 27 November 1940, Page 6

AIR RAID RELIEF

FINAL COMMUNITY SING LARGE ATTENDANCE AT TOWN HALL The main Town Hall was well filled last night when the community singing season was brought to a close with a pleasant and varied programme in aid of the Air Raid Distress Relief Fund. Mr H. P. Desmoulins, the leader, kept the function running along in characteristic vein, assisted by Mr H. Marsden and Mr J. F. Hamburg. Mr Alf Pettitt was in his usual and competent role as pianist. Close on £3OO was raised (including £IOO on hand before the sing commenced), and assisted by the telephone system, numerous generous donations were acknowledged. A number of useful articles were auctioned at intervals during the evening, including hand-knitted garments and nine sovereigns, three half-sovereigns, and a brooch made from a jubilee sovereign. These were the gift of an _ elderly woman, and eight of the sovereigns and two half-sovereigns brought in £25 from one supporter. The remaining sovereign and the brooch were each sold for £5. and the half-sovereign for £1 Is. During the evening Mr Desmoulins introduced to the audience a woman who hud served as a nurse with the Australian forces in the Great War. Under the nom de plume of “ H.8.K.” she was a .well-known contributor to the committee’s appeal for several seasons, and last night she topped the • list of straight-out donations with one of 21 guineas, as well as giving £5 in appreciation of the performers, and buying several of the auctioned articles to a value of £7 or £B. Briefly, “ H.8.K.” addressed the gathering, and in glowing terms praised the efforts of the committee.

The singing was varied from time to time with items by Miss Muriel Caddie’s Piano-accordian Band, two songs from Miss Margaret Pratt, while Messrs Archie Jones and Frank White gave enjoyable numbers. From 7.30 until 8, Begg’s Orchestra provided items and accompanied the early portion of the singing programme. Prior to the conclusion of the function, Mr Himhurg made a presentation to Mrs M'lntyre, who was in charge of the stall during the year.