Special feature by DENIS WHITTLE

MUSICAL memories spanning 100 years have been preserved for posterity with the presentation to the town of a time-honoured treasure awarded to one of its most celebrated sons

For relatives of brass and military band maestro George Groves have donated his silver baton to the local museum, where it will 'lie in state' alongside other priceless relics of the borough's cultural heritage. Fashioned in ebony, suitably inscribed and complete with ornate case, the baton was presented to George in 1930 by officers and men of the 5th South Lancashire Regiment, who were based in Mill Street. The award was in recognition of Warrant Officer Groves' long service as bandmaster, with the handing-over ceremony being performed by Father Patrick Hayden, of Lowe House Church, on the Feast of Corpus Christi.

Affable George enjoyed an instant rapport with the priests of the adjacent church, and the melodious tones of his instrumentalists were a feature of services held on the presbytery lawn and grotto.

Following George's death in 1954 the baton - being of great sentimental value - was entrusted to his daughter Hilda Barrow, who is now 94, lives in Sefton Park, Liverpool, and was born in King Edward Road, Dentons Green.

Sadly ill-health prevented her from attending the town hall when Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor John and Mrs Doreen Mealor, received the pristinely-preserved wand from Mrs Barrow's daughter Doreen on behalf of the townspeople.

Fittingly, and staying on a delightfully musical note, an occasion already knee-deep in nostalgia was given a somewhat more sonorous blast-from-the-past (and the present!) by the tuneful guest appearance of York Street Band. For it is a little-known fact that man-of-many-parts George Alfred Groves was 'instrumental' in founding York Street Mission Church Army Band (as it was then known) in the dim-and-distant days of 1899. Born in Thatto Heath in 1879, George Groves married Harriet Saxby and their first-born was named after his father, ultimately becoming a technical genius in the talking film world of Hollywood. Hilda, Herman and Olive were subsequent additions to the Groves family, and by the early part of the century George was firmly established as a master hairdresser at 57 Duke Street, and was later a Conservative councillor.

Declaration of the Great War in 1914 saw bandmaster Groves posted to Northumberland where, on the orders of the Regimental Colonel, he contacted military-minded musicians in St Helens and the 5th South Lancs Band was born.

Despite the call of King and country, George retained links with his beloved York Street musical ensemble, and with harmony ever the keynote, the bands united until 60-year-old GG put down the baton in 1939.

However the blue-liveried York Street Band (as it is dubbed today) is marching into the new millennium, as I discovered when attending a concert given jointly with Haydock Male Voice Choir at the Parish Church.

It was an evening of sheer musical extravaganza from both groups and, for 'Sounding Brass' fans such as me, there was nothing better than Kenneth Alford's rousing march Imperial Echoes.

Skilfully orchestrated by conductor Trevor Sutherland (how well he had assumed the mantle of George Groves) the YSB are also blessed with accomplished soloists, as witness Andrew Burgess (E flat bass), cornettist Janice Shacklady and Gill Lea-Wilson (tenor horn).

The band has vacancies for both experienced musicians and beginners alike. Instruments and tuition are provided at Ruskin Drive club. Phil Southward will supply further information on St Helens 609762.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.