STOKE.

Nelson Evening Mail, 7 August 1916, Page 8

STOKE.

BOYS' TRAINING FARM CONCERT

A FINE ENTERTAINMENT.

A "patriotic concert by- the inmates cf the Boys' Training Farm in aid; of the Belgian Relief Fund, was held on Friday eyening. The hall was crowded; ard the unanimous opinion expressed iby thf »trdience was that it was one of th* finest concerts ever givem in Stoke. It _ certainly bore evidence of very careful training, a-nd the staff, especially Mr Flaherty deserves every credit'for bringing the bovs* performance to such a. 'of perfection. "From the first item till the last, the whole programme was of fvery high order,. and held the audience throughout. The first item, '"Hearts cf Oak," by the boys, was exceedinglv wel.' suns. aiiid in "Gentlv Evening' Bendeth, ' v .tbe boys were heard* to ereat advantage iit- their really wonderful' Therecitation, "The Noble Bov, showed, that ut elocution as> well as sinking. the boys possess talent of a- lim* 1 " order..; -The song entitled'"The Russian V ft spcr Hyrniv.'' was [beautifully rendered, the, melodious voices of the boyf •blending most harmoniously. This w.3 . aiv exceptionally fine item. Dumb belexercises showed that as much- attentior was given to Dhvs:caL culture as to vocal exercises, and these were reallv done. "The Mighty Norseman" "Massa's in- - the >Coxl Cold Ground,' were the next items. ; The Tendering of these was particularly fine, and the part singing remarkably <good. The recitation. " ".Anzac,". was given , jn_ gcod- style,. the lad being particularly clever in brin-srirur out "the fine points of this -historic- little ■poem to' the ' best . advantage. The "Sounds of the School" was an-other-item of which both tutor and pupils may well be xtroud. Air exhibition of clu.b swinging by five of the boys was splendidh- done and received ,a heartv recall. The favourite "Xipperary" wa.« a.very taking number, and' "Let Erin remember." song in parts, -was particularly good. } The second part of the urogram Tie opened with bogle calls, illustrating' daily routine at the farm. From this item, which was peculiarly interesting, it showed that in- no branch of music does the Training Farm lack talent. The various -calls (given by two of on the bugle, were very well; done, and as showing the method of discipline (if ■was verv interesting. The recitation and son)?. "Keep the Home Fires -Burning," were really excellent, and s pointed to a •pood moral, that during'the war we were to lteep things goinr tguntil our lads, came back. Dancing steps by a number of the . boys a«aiii showed the careful training -giveii the boys in this department. This number wos deservedly encored'. The recitation, "The' Colour of the Flag,' the song, "Red. "White, and Blue," and also the song, "Oh, the Soorts of Child.were well rendered. A. further exhifoitipn of club swinging showed to great advantage the cleverness of the boys. A recitation. "Thv Flag l and My Flag," was well delivered. It was a. xerv appropriate pieces showing that we all owe 3 duty to the grand old Flair, and that people should .recognise-, that it does not belong to a section; of the peoole. but to all. and all should recognise their responsibility to it. The well-known "Rule Britannia" and "Good Night," sung by the boys, and the National Anthem closedi a- remarkably fine concert. We "wish to lav special emphasis on< the -soleridid' training of the : bovs, v'hich indeed reflects great credit on the Institution. A special word of praise is due to Mr Flaherty for the admirable ■way, in which he trained and conducted - the the boys. Mrs I». Bradstock and) Miss Holmes acted as t efficient accompanists. 'A deputation waited on- Mr L. Bradstock and asked him to consider the idea of- eivirsr the concert in Nelson at an early date. Mr Bradstock thanked the deputation' for their appreciation, and he would ; favourably consider the 6-jggestion. .