We do love to hear about festival history coming to light from unexpected places.
Kath Cowburn from the Worksop Festival was sent these three North Notts Musical Competitions certificates, now over 100 years old, by someone who had stumbled upon them when sorting through some family possessions. They belonged to her grandmother, Ruby Spurden, who had been awarded them in April 1921. The Festival started in 1904 as the North Notts Musical Competitions and is now the Worksop Music and Drama Festival
Ruby won two first prizes and a second prize. She attended the Council Girls' School in Retford (we think this was what later became the Retford County High School for Girls) and came second for 2 part song, 1st for 2 part song (town schools) and 1st for Singing at Night.The certificates must have been so special to Ruby to have kept them in her possession, only to be discovered 100 years late
The notable strapline on the certificates 'Everywhere is Nature's Music' can still inspire us today.
If any of the members or vocal adjudicators know what 'Singing at Night' might have been, the festival would love to know.
Kath Cowburn (Worksop Music and Drama Festival)