The Music Community of Victorian Worcester
Written by Albert Edward Bibbs
At that time, the boys met for practice in St. Pauls School, and were conducted by that genial man, Mr. Robert Coombs, father of the Rev. G. Coombs and Mr. E. G. Coombs, a former pianist to the Festival Choral Society, and who is now living in Norwich. It is unnecessary to tabulate all those of the Chapter who contributed to the welfare of the Choir, but at least the name of the Rev. Richard Cattley should be mentioned. He was the first Master of the Choir, and his death was a personal loss. Of him could truly be said, he was "the perfect gentleman."
The organist, Mr. William Done (as he then was) took a personal interest in me, and gave me lessons at his home, adjoining Edgar Tower, in the College Green, which was supplemented by Mr. Fred Garton, his assistant, and who married a daughter of the Rev. Benedict Aurthure, Rector of All Saints. Mr. R. Boulcot Newth (or 'Bob' as he was called, and a nephew of Mr. Done) accompanied the rehearsals in the Chapter House.
Edgar Tower (also called Edgar's Gate)
Dr. Henry Philpot was then Bishop, and the Hon. Grantham Munton Yorke (and exceedingly deaf man) was Dean: the four Canons being J. Ryle Wood (formerly a tutor to the Duke of Cambridge), Alfred Barry, Seymour, and Sir G. Frankland Lewis.
One great privilege of a Choirman is the association of notable men he is brought in contact with, and in the case of Worcester Cathedral, there was a galaxy of great men: of Deans such as Lord Alwyne Compton, later on Bishop of Ely: Dr. Forrest: Dr. Bradley (afterwards Dean of Westminister) Dr. John Gott, transferred to the Bishopric of Truro: and Dr. Moore-Eade.
Among Canons there were Dr. David Melville: Dr. Mandel Creighton, subsequently Bishop of Peterborough, and Bishop of London: Dr. Alfred Barry: Dr. W. J. Butler, afterwards Dean of Lincoln: T. Teignmouth Shore: W.J. Knox-Little: T. L. Claughton: J.M. Wilson: most of whom would be classed as great preachers. Who does not remember the scholarly sermons of Dr. Melville, who gave what I thought was the best definition of 'conscience', I know.
"Conscience", he said, "is a lantern within the soul to light us on the way to Eternity."
And then those marvellous sermons of Dr. Creighton, and the compelling words of Canon Knox-Little, who caused the Cathedral to be thronged with listeners. I can remember once in his house in the College Green, we were talking of a servant problem, and he said to me, "Give me the servant who cleans out the corners, the rest of the room can take care of itself."
Written by Albert Edward Bibbs
The organist, Mr. William Done (as he then was) took a personal interest in me, and gave me lessons at his home, adjoining Edgar Tower, in the College Green, which was supplemented by Mr. Fred Garton, his assistant, and who married a daughter of the Rev. Benedict Aurthure, Rector of All Saints. Mr. R. Boulcot Newth (or 'Bob' as he was called, and a nephew of Mr. Done) accompanied the rehearsals in the Chapter House.
Edgar Tower (also called Edgar's Gate)
Dr. Henry Philpot was then Bishop, and the Hon. Grantham Munton Yorke (and exceedingly deaf man) was Dean: the four Canons being J. Ryle Wood (formerly a tutor to the Duke of Cambridge), Alfred Barry, Seymour, and Sir G. Frankland Lewis.
One great privilege of a Choirman is the association of notable men he is brought in contact with, and in the case of Worcester Cathedral, there was a galaxy of great men: of Deans such as Lord Alwyne Compton, later on Bishop of Ely: Dr. Forrest: Dr. Bradley (afterwards Dean of Westminister) Dr. John Gott, transferred to the Bishopric of Truro: and Dr. Moore-Eade.
Among Canons there were Dr. David Melville: Dr. Mandel Creighton, subsequently Bishop of Peterborough, and Bishop of London: Dr. Alfred Barry: Dr. W. J. Butler, afterwards Dean of Lincoln: T. Teignmouth Shore: W.J. Knox-Little: T. L. Claughton: J.M. Wilson: most of whom would be classed as great preachers. Who does not remember the scholarly sermons of Dr. Melville, who gave what I thought was the best definition of 'conscience', I know.
"Conscience", he said, "is a lantern within the soul to light us on the way to Eternity."
And then those marvellous sermons of Dr. Creighton, and the compelling words of Canon Knox-Little, who caused the Cathedral to be thronged with listeners. I can remember once in his house in the College Green, we were talking of a servant problem, and he said to me, "Give me the servant who cleans out the corners, the rest of the room can take care of itself."