'Presentation of the Oratorio - Walter Widdop singing'

In 1933, under the baton of Mr William J. Higginbottom LRAM, (Billy), an amalgamation of several Methodist Church Choirs took place to form the Carolare Choir. Mr Higginbottom, a well respected member of the community, rehearsed the choir at the Central Methodist Church, Chesterfield, where he was the Director of Music.

As the Choir grew stronger and bigger it put on bigger and bigger works until around the war years various large fund raising concerts were put on with some well known ‘stars’ taking the lead roles. To this end such names as Isobel Bailey, Kathleen Ferrier, Elsie Suddaby, Robert Easton, Muriel Brunskill, Walter Widdon and many more have all sung with the choir.

In 1944, The then Chief Constable (L Milner) organised a Festival Choral Presentation of ‘The Messiah’ which was performed by an augmented Carolare Choir (by the Stavely Old Works Choir) and with Orchestra. The Soloists were Elsie Suddaby (sop), Muriel Brunskill (con), Walter Widdop (ten) and Robert Easton (bass). At the Organ was Cyril Brimingham, with Wilfred Wigley taking the role of the leader and L Aboot the Trumpeter. Of course, Mr Higginbottm was the Conductor for the evening.

The tickets for this performance were placed on sale three months prior to the concert and all two hundred seats were sold out within a fortnight raising a grand sum of £205 pounds which was presented to the local hospital.

As a momento of this occasion the Mayoress, Mrs. E. T. Styles, presented Mr Higginbottom with a souvenir copy of ‘The Messiah’ complete with the picture and signatures of the soloists and choir members.

After many years (1959) Mr Higginbottom retired as musical director of the Choir due to failing health and the choir ran for four years but was then disbanded due to lack of a musical director. However in April 2001, his great grandson, Mr Andrew J Booth, reformed it with a total of six members and the choir has continued to grow again since that time.