Monday, December 7, 1936

DEATH OF MR J E BRIGGS

Monmouth Hospital Treasurer

The death has occurred of Mr James E Briggs, of The Elms, Monmouth, who had spent several years in Jamaica.

He went to Monmouth 38 years ago as Science Master at Monmouth School.

Mr Simpson retired from the school some years ago.

Mr Briggs married Miss M Addams-Williams, a daughter of the late Mr W C Addams-Williams, solicitor, of Monmouth, who at one time was County Treasurer.

Mr Briggs was Hon Treasurer of Monmouth Hospital, an office he took up following the death of Mr Arthur Vizzard. His work for Monmouth Hospital will be long remembered. Mr Briggs was a member of Monmouth Rural District Council, and was a Manager of Monmouth Group of Council Schools. He was in his 69th year.

ABERGAVENNY WIN WELL

After a tame first half, Abergavenny crossed over leading by a penalty goal to nil in their game with Monmouth in the second half, and there were some bright movements. From one, C, Joynson increased Abergavenny’s lead with a try which followed determined and speedy running, and with a great kick R Price put Abergavenny further ahead by converting. Monmouth reduced the lead with a penalty goal by Bishop, but the best individual move of the game came a couple of minutes later, when from half way, O’Daly intercepted and raced away to score a splendid try.

WOMEN SINGERS OF GWENT

Adjudicator’s “Well Done” at Monmouth

The fourth annual music festival of Monmouthshire Federation of Women’s Institutes was held at Monmouth, and was in many ways the most successful that has been held.

Fifteen Women’s institute choirs, two mixed choirs, and visitors enjoyed a programme as varied as it was instructive. Almost all the songs were more difficult than those set in previous years, and all were well contrasted.

The adjudicator, Miss Nancy Tennant, congratulated the choirs on several occasions for their courageous tackling of difficult songs. She repeated her suggestion of last year that it was significance of words and not changed of tempo which conveys the feeling of a song.

Choirs should show by their faces what they are singing about, and choir members should train themselves to listen to one another.

In several cases the tone, often very good, was superior to the clarity of the words, and musical phrases were broken up.

There were some really exciting moments in some of the allegro songs, notably in Govilon Choir’s rendering of “The Chase” by Stanford, and in “Five Eyes” by Armstrong Gibbs, which was sung by Blackwood, Christchurch and Panteg.

The outstanding performance was the singing of “Christopher Wren” (Taylor) by Blackwood Choir; this was so much enjoyed that a repeat performance was called for.

At the conclusion of the competitive part of the festival, the quartet's were conducted in choir form by Miss Tennant and Miss Brocklebank, her successor as music organiser of the Women’s Institute movement.

A MOVING EXPERIENCE

After that, Miss Tennant conducted all the choirs in massed singing of “The Grasmers Carol,” by Somerville, and “Thanksgiving” by Dyson, a moving experience for every choir member.

The organisation of the festival went smoothly in charge of the Music Sub Committee of Monmouthshire Federation and friends. An excellent tea was provided for all the choirs in the Workmen’s Institute, under the supervision of Mrs Partridge and Mrs Lee, of Buckholt, Blaina, Blackwood, Cwmyoy, Llanhennock and Llantillo Pertholey.

GAMES IN GWENT

USK’S TRIUMPH

Chepstow have developed a tantalising habit of failing against teams they have been expected to defeat. This habit prevailed when they lost unexpectedly at home to Usk by 1g 1t to 1pg 1t. Chepstow were the faster side, but they threw away their advantage by wild passing. In the second half, Chepstow tried hard to keep their lead, but in the closing stages Powell, the Usk wing, went over for a try which Tindle converted. Previously Ivor Thomas had scored for Usk, and then followed a try by Evans and a penalty goal, by Healey for Chepstow.