George's Notes
It is the very early hours of Christmas morning and, after some snow, a keen frost has set in and the ground is as hard as iron. A full moon is high in the sky as members of Healey Wesleyan Chapel choir make their way, as quietly as possible, to the front door of Thrum Hall, the home of Mr. and Mrs.Turner.
My Uncle Harry is our choirmaster and we open with “While Shepherds” sung to the rousing chant No.712 in the Bristol Tune Book. At once the door is opened wide and we see the owner who is joined by his wife and their house-guests. All join in the carols with us, one of which has to be “Hail, Smiling Morn”, after which we troop round to the kitchen where the cook has hot pies and lashings of coffee ready for us.
Carol singing started at midnight on Christmas Eve and we usually carried on until 6.00 a.m. One of the highlights of Christmas.
George Mainwaring
