Fond Memories
We hope to add memories of the Orchestra from past and present players so here is one to start with:
Elizabeth
Bailey (violin)
I joined Telford Orchestra in about 1985 I thought I would spend the first rehearsal sitting at the back of the seconds. Oh no, there was only Rex Wycherley and I playing violins. .
George Raxter was the
conductor and we consisted of about 15 players. We rehearsed regularly at the
Arts centre in Princes Rd. Wellington .It was an old school and over the years
we expanded to about 30 players .We moved to Madeley Court School now under the
baton of John Phillips who taught music there. This was a wonderful venue as we
had use of the lovely hall, a grand piano and a set of kettle drums Leonard
Merrington(violin) was our oldest member. He brought in a bottle of sherry one
evening so we could all celebrate his 90th birthday. Bert Tunnicliffe
(violin) he played with us until he died at 88. Bernard( double bass) had a
sister who accompanied us sometimes on the piano. We owned a piano and a French
horn in Wellington, which we had to get rid of when we moved to Madeley I
don’t remember where they went.
We had an enormous amount of music going back to 1900 when the orchestra was called St. Georges Orchestral Society. Allen Davenport took care of it and still has it stored away somewhere. Most of it was for brass band or had strange arrangements. One of our funniest pieces was Hootenany in which Lynn Jefferis and I had a solo. Everyone had fun and we all retreated to the pub after the session. We have had quite a change since then .We are now the Telford Orchestra and not the Telford Light Orchestra. Our repertoire has changed dramatically, much more upmarket. I think the biggest change was when Richard Churches took over. He gave the strings confidence to ‘play out’. We did a great concert at Ford Hall, Lilleshall and we played a piano concerto which he had composed .The place was packed He also had us playing in a marquee in the grounds of Adams Grammar school. If I remember it poured down all night and the noise on the tent was tremendous. Now in 2004 Ruth Matthews conducts us. She is young and enthusiastic and she wants Shropshire to know we are here .We are still a very friendly group of musicians who enjoy making music and socializing in the pub afterwards.
Memories of Rex Wycherley (Violin)
Bill Schuker was the conductor when I started playing with St.George's Orchestral Society in the 1970's. There were about 20 people in the orchestra. Len Merrington (violin) introduced me to the orchestra. He used to ring me up and play his violin down the phone! He celebrated his 90th birthday with us and lived till he was 100.
We always had a prompt start at 7.30pm no matter what was going on .The drummer did a drum roll for the National Anthem. This was played at every rehearsal. It brought us together.
We rehearsed at the W.I. in St.George's. When Bill died the Orchestra folded for about 18 months. George Raxter came after Bill and he resurrected it as The Telford Light Orchestra. George moved us to The Arts Centre ,Princes Street, Wellington and in 2012 the orchestra will celebrate its 150th anniversary.