Court and Alley Concerts, October 1901

An article on page six of The Glasgow Herald, on Thursday the 3rd of October, 1901, reads:

 

“GLASGOW COURT AND ALLEY CONCERTS.-

 

The committee formed 14 months ago to promote free open-air concerts in the back courts of the

poorest districts of the city state that it was intended to begin the concerts in May, but the

smallpox outbreak made it unwise to gather crowds together in the back courts. At first one concert

weekly was given, but from the beginning of August till the close of the season two concerts each

week were given, and altogether from 12,000 to 15,000 people have had their evenings brightened

at their own doors. All has been managed at a cost not exceeding £10, owing to the fact that all the

entertainters, professional as well as amateur, gave their services free, and also to the generosity of

Messrs Paterson, Sons & Co., who supplied the pianos without charge. The committee are of opinion

that the scheme is capable of very considerable expansion, only limited, indeed, by the amount of

support accorded to it. If they were assured of the services of a sufficient number of entertainers they

would undertake a wider field and more frequent concerts. The committee appeal to everyone who can

contribute of their talents to cheer the lives of their less fortunate brothers and sisters to send in their

names to Mr W. W. Cheshire, convener, 11 Charing Cross Mansions; or to Mr James G. Borland, hon.

secretary, 7 Westbank Quadrant.”

 

 

George Fairfull-Smith, March 2022.