Out Of The Blue Artifacts A Library of a lifetime of collecting
An Arrail Griffin Gleemen’s Wooden Filing Case.
This wooden case is from the Arrail Griffin Gleemen choir. The case was more than probably used to store sheet music or other like documents.
The case is highly polished, it has a hinged lid, clasps, metal corner protectors, brass hinges and a metal handle. It also has an internal spring loaded wire clamp to hold the documents. On the front of the box is a chrome name-plate with the name “Arrail Griffin Gleemen” engraved into it.
The box is made from plywood.
Size – 19″ x 13″ x 4″ inches.
Below is a brief history of the formation of the gleemen from the various Six Bells Choirs throughout the years.
The Six Bells United Male Voice Party.
In July 1904 it was announced that the United Male Voice Party had been recently formed at Six Bells, Abertillery. Advertisements in the South Wales Gazette showed they held rehearsals at the Mission Hall, Six Bells. The chairman was Mr Theophilus Evans of Aberbeeg.
In October 1904 the Six Bells Male Voice Party performed at the Presbyterian Hall, Six Bells under the conductorship of Mr E. Thomas, with Miss D. Thomas and Mr E. Prosser at the piano.
In July 1905 it was announced that the United Male Voice Party, Six Bells was under the conductorship of Mr Theo Burton.
The Abertillery and Six Bells Choirs Combined.
In March 1914 it was reported in the South Wales Gazette that the Abertillery Male Voice Party had again re-formed, this time under the conductorship of Mr Jack Jenkins, Mr Ben Jones as chairman with Mr E. W. Eke as secretary. Practices were held at the Bethany Baptist School. It seems as though the Abertillery Party had combined with the Six Bells Choir (as seen in the ad above).
In June 1914 Abertillery and Six Bells Male Voice Party combined won 1st prize at the Trinant Eisteddfod.
In October 1914 it was announced that Mr J. Jenkins, conductor of the Abertillery and Six Bells Male Voice Party was to become the conductor of the Abertillery Co-operative Choral Society. Mr Jenkins was one time the conductor of the Blaina Male Voice Party before coming to Six Bells.
The Six Bells Philharmonic Gleemen.
Sometime during January 1945, the Six Bells Philharmonic Gleemen were formed. On Monday 29th of January 1945, they made their first public appearance during a concert at the Six Bells Methodist Church. Mr Arthur Cook Mus.Bac, L.R.A.M., was conductor.
I am not sure if the Six Bells Philharmonic Gleemen disbanded as there was not a great deal of information on the choir after the early to mid 1950’s.
Six Bells Arrail Griffin Gleemen.
On Friday 6th of January 1956, the South Wales Gazette reported on the formation of the Arrail Griffin Gleemen the previous Tuesday 3rd of January 1956. The officers and committee were as follows – Mr Charles Young (Chairman); Mr Edgar Richards (Secretary) and Mr Wyndham Edmunds (Treasurer): Mr Idris Flook; Mr Ken Edwards; Mr Charles Brimble; Mr Alfred Trigg and Mr Burt Trigg, representing the Arrail Social Club: Mr John Newberry; Mr Fred Jones; Mr Sid Cooper; Mr Pat Hutton and Mr Ivor Parsons, representing the Six Bells Workmen’s Club: Mr Arthur Cook Mus.Bac, L.R.A.M., F.T.S.C., was conductor and Mr Bernard Cook was appointed (Music Steward):
It was reported that a women supporters committee had been formed, over 40 singers had enrolled and the the gleemen will compete in the forthcoming Llangollen International Eisteddfod and at the South Wales Miners Eisteddfod.
A T.V. Christmas Card From Abertillery to the Commonwealth.
On Friday 7th of December 1956, the South Wales Gazette reported on two Abertillery choirs, the Orpheus Male Voice Choir and the Arrail Griffin Gleemen who were to be seen and heard in an I.T.V. world-wide television link-up of Commonwealth countries on Christmas Day. They will Sing “O Come All Ye Faithful”, “Cwm Rhondda” and “Blaenwern”, under the conductorship of Mrs L. Edmunds-James (Orpheus) and Mr Arthur Cook (Gleemen).
The television company’s selection of the Abertillery choirs goes back to a visit paid to the town some years ago by cameraman Mr George Richardson. The pleasant memories of the help and generosity he received came back to him when Welsh representation on the Commonwealth programme was being planned. A whisper in the ear of the producer and a phone call to the clerk of the Abertillery Council Mr H. J. Williams, could he find two choirs? No sooner was the question asked than answered.
The Filming of the Choirs.
On Sunday 2nd of December, the engineers and cameramen moved into the town and the venue chosen for the filming and recording of the seventy strong combined choirs was Cwmtillery Colliery.
Six Bells Arrail Griffin Gleemen.
In January 1957, the South Wales Gazette listed the officers and committee of the Arrail Griffin Gleemen as follows – Conductor Mr Arthur Cook, Mus. Bac., L.R.A.M., F.T.S.C.; Mrs J. Bryant A.L.C.M. (Accompanist): Councillor Mrs Ursula Verrier (President); Mr Mel Brewer (Chairman) Mr C. Smith (Vice-Chairman); Mr E. Richards (Secretary); Mr A. Poore (Treasurer); Mr G. Perrett (Assistant Secretary):
Committee – Messrs K. Edwards; A. Trigg; C. Brimble; J. Newbury; F. Jones; B. Trigg; P. Brooks; F. Mitchell; D. Davies; W. Thompson; H. Rees and A. Rees: Messrs A. Cook; F. Mitchell; C. Brimble; A. Trigg and Mrs J. Bryant: Councillors Bert Snellgrove and Brinley Evans: Messrs G. Pile; V. Luther; S. Hewitt; H. Williams; G. Prosser; L. Prosser; J. Williams; A. Sainsbury; W. Blacker; T. Ellis; J. Gomery; T. Eacott; B. Rees; A. Mogg; F. Spellman; J. Thomas; V. Harris; C. Roberts; W. Lovell; H. Griffiths; J. Hunt; G. Edmunds; S. Martin; Mrs R. Jenkins and R. Lane:
Mr Arthur Cook Retires.
On Friday 7th of March 1958, the South Wales Gazette announced the retirement of Mr Arthur Cook the founder and conductor of the Arrail Griffin Gleemen. It stated that his successor was to be Mr D. J. Jones of Blaina.
After the early 1960’s, no other mention of the Arrail Griffin Gleemen can be found. In a newspaper report in regard to the reformation of the Lymes Gleemen in 1963, it was stated that a few of the old Arrail Griffin Gleemen members joined the Lymes choir, if so, the Arrail Griffin Gleemen had disbanded before 1963.
Points of Interest – Arrail Griffin Gleemen or Arrael Griffin Gleemen.
There is a bit of confusion as to the proper spelling of name Arrail or Arrael, on this occasion Arrail is also engraved on the name-plate, so to be consistent in this account I have used the former Arrail throughout the story.