Mexborough and Swinton Times August 4 1906
Denaby Main Choir Trip
When I received news that the Wesleyan choir and friends from Denaby Main (the “wickedest village in England”) were contemplating a visit to Liverpool – the black spot on the Mersey – for their choir outing, I almost had visions! This will be Greek meeting Greek with a vengeance, and there could be nothing less than riots and ructions as a result. Surely the Chief Constable should be notified and special precautions taken to preserve the public peace; but the result of the visit have shown how erroneous reports may prove to be, and what a vile aspiration it is to give Denaby Main a name like the above.
I had the pleasure to meet the Denaby Main Wesleyan choir and friends at the “Osborne,” Lord Street, and as I listened to their enthusiastic description of the places they had visited during the day and noted the evident enjoyment that they derived from what they had seen and heard at Liverpool and New Brighton, I knew they had had a thoroughly enjoyable and good time, and that they were satisfied that it was far from the truth to say Liverpool was a “black spot.”
I learnt how, under the guidance of the ex-soldier (Mr Thompson) who, by the way, appeared able to serve the party in the capacity of guide with the same faithfulness and ability with which his medals told us he had served his country as a warrior.
They have visited the Walker Art Gallery, the Museum, and St George’s Hall, and they had been delighted with what they saw at these places. Then I heard of their journey to the landing stage and voyage on the steamer to New Brighton and their visit to the Tower and grounds, where some of the party had the temerity to reach their precious lives in the delirious excitement of “shooting the chute,” and came safely out of the adventure.
But listen Mr Editor! This is the secret I’ll tell you? Are you listening? Well two of the elders of the party were so fascinated with glorious scenery of New Brighton that they missed their return boat and were left stranded on New Brighton Pier. And what a picture of dismay their faces were when they saw us steaming away up the river, leaving them behind to follow on later as best they might.
I think I never saw a party enjoy themselves more thoroughly. Several of their Liverpool friends accompanied them to the Central Station and saw them into their saloon carriage, where, before the train started on its onward journey, the whole choir sang several selections of music for us. And as we Liverpudlians listened, charmed with their sweet Yorkshire voices, we felt that the Denaby Main Wesleyan choir was a credit to their choirmaster (Mr John K Bateson), and that whilst Denaby Main produced such a company of good folk as here, it was downright liable to dub it “The wickedest village in England”..
Contributor C.B.
Derek Main Wesleyan Church
Annual Choir Trip
The members and a few friends held their annual trip on Saturday last, the 28th inst. Where they journeyed to Liverpool by the GC railway, leaving Conisborough by saloon at 6:25 am. All the arrangements were carried out in a very highly satisfactory manner by the esteemed organist and choir master, Mr John K Bateson. Upon arrival at Liverpool, various place of interest were visited, and at 1.30 pm all assembled on the Princess landing stage and journeyed to New Brighton by the Wallasey Ferry Companies boat.
On arriving back to Liverpool we were conducted by Mr JK Bateson and his brother and wife and family, who were our hosts and hostesses, Mr and Mrs Caleb Bateson, the Misses Annie and Edith Hilder, daughters, and Mr George Edgar, son and Mrs Christopher Bateson, with Mr James Watson, organist of Lodge Lane, Wesleyan Church at Liverpool to the Osborne cafe, Lord Street, where we sat down to a splendid tea.
The tales were beautifully decorated with plants. After tea, Mr JK Bateson gave a very interesting speech, after which Mr G Blakely produced a vote of thanks to host and hostess and friends, which was seconded by Mr Henry Wilson, supported by Mr H Booth and carried with acclamation. This was conveyed by our choirmaster to our hosts and hostess, when Mr Caleb Bateson responded. He was received with hearty greeting and said “My dear brother, my niece and friends, it has, I am sure been a real pleasure to myself, my wife, family, and friends to be here with you today. I hope you have all enjoyed the tea with those much pleasure as it had been to me to invite you to take tea with me and my wife, family and friends.(applause) I hope to see you all again.
The choir then assembled at the Central Station at 8.15, where they sang several well known hymns, amidst the hearty send-off of our host and hostess and friends. Conisborough was reached at 12.45.