All About Thornton

An article in the Bradford Observer newspaper dated 26 November 1953 recalls JWH’s long service as a choir and music conductor, after JWH had announced that he was retiring due to ill-health. It stated that from being a 10 year-old choirboy ad taking 6d. singing lessons he became one of the best known conductors. He was best known as choir conductor for 45 years at the New Road (Thornton Road) United Methodist Church, which was the choir he first joined. He was first trained by Mr. Jerry Robertshaw, which resulted in his appointment as joint choirmaster with Mr. Herbert Cockroft of Thornton Methodist Church Sunday School Choir. He then studied piano, violin and counterpoint. While studying under Mr. J.H.M.Ledger, then organist at Allerton Methodist Church, he conducted 2 performances of Handel’s “Messiah”.

In 1902 he was appointed choirmaster at the New Road Congregational Church (which was built where Kipping Gardens now is), and his brother, Walter (then aged 16) was appointed as the organist there. Nine months later the brothers accepted an invitation to take similar posts at the New Road United Methodist Church. Apart from 5 years as choirmaster with Clayton Baptist Church JWH remained with New Road Methodist Church until his retirement on September 3 1953.

JWH was founder and conductor of Thornton Vocal Union, (now known as Thornton Singers), trained the North West Riding Section of Dr Henry Coward’s World Tour Choir, (which toured 56 cities across the world in 1911), conducted the Bradford City Police Vocal Union for 14 years and the Thornton Mechanics’ Institute’s Operatic Society, the Bradford Co-operative Choir for 19 years, Bradford Electricity Department Choir and united choirs of the Bradford area.

He also arranged the musical section of the Mechanics’ Institute annual soirées for many years. JWH with his choirs were broadcast on several occasions and were often among the winners at musical festivals. One of his most prized possessions was a silver-mounted baton he received in 1914 when the New Road Methodist Church Choir gained 199 marks out of 200 at a musical festival for Nonconformist Church choirs held at Eastbrook Hall, Bradford. His favourite work was Mendelssohn’s “Elijah”.

There are many reports of JWH conducting choirs in Thornton and Bradford. During his lifetime he conducted Handel’s “Messiah” 60 times. Some of those reports are given, along with details from censuses, and genealogical data.

• JWH was born on 22 August 1876 in Denholme, the first child of Charles and Eliza Horsfall of 6 High Street, Thornton. In the 1881 census he was aged 4. His father was employed as a cotton warp dresser, and his mother was a worsted weaver
• in the 1891 census the family had moved to 9 Mary Street, and John W had 2 brothers and a sister. JWH was 14 and employed as a Weft Boy.
• 1899, January 9; The Telegraph and Argus reported that the Rock of Hope Lodge off the Manchester Unity gave a tea and entertainment in the Mechanics’ Institute, Thornton to their juvenile members at which, amongst other entertainment, JWH gave a song and his brother, Walter gave a solo on the pianoforte.
• In the 1901 census JWH was employed as a Cotton warp twister, living with his parents and siblings at 9 Wensley Bank. His future wife was living with her parents at 6 Spring View and was employed as a Worsted twister.
• In the 4th quarter of 1901 JWH married Violetta Jennings. Violetta Jennings was the 5th child of Richardson and Ann Jennings of 6 Spring View. Richardson Jennings was a stone quarry owner, and later in his life was a Liberal Councillor for Thornton. Violetta was born on 23 November 1881.
• 1903, May 16. In the Telegraph and Argus about New Road Congregational Church, it stated that a special feature of the services was the singing. led by an efficient choir under the able direction of JWH.
• 1903 December 29. The Telegraph and Argus reported that the choir of the Methodist Free Church, at Thornton were entertained to tea by Mr. and Mrs S. Whitham in the schoolroom. After a splendid tea the choir spent the evening at Mr. Whitham’s residence (Shadrach Whitham, confectioner of 45 New Road which is now 407 Thornton Road, Thornton) where songs, glees, etc were rendered “in capital style” by the choir. JWH, choirmaster led the singing and Mr. Walter Horsfall accompanied.
• 1904, July 2. The Telegraph and Argus reported that anniversary services were held on the last Sunday, and that anthems were rendered by an augmented choir. JWH conducted and Mr. Walter Horsfall discharged his duties on the organ with marked ability (then aged 18).
• 1904, December 12. The T&A reported that selections from Handel’s Messiah had been sung by a choir of about 90 voices at Thornton Methodist Free Church. JWH was the conductor, and Walter Horsfall the organist. It said that the chapel was crowded and many were unable to gain admission.
• 1909, March 12. The BWT reported that the Thornton United Methodist Church gave their second annual concert at the Mechanics’ Institute “on Saturday last“, in the Mechanics’ Hall, Thornton, to a good audience. The first part of the entertainment was the cantata “May Queen” by Bennett. The choirmaster was JWH, and he had “the easy task with his choir of 60 voices – a mark of previous training – the choruses being sung with precision.” The second part was miscellaneous. “The choruses in the glees, etc, again showed volume of tone. The pianist, Mr Walter Horsfall, was equal to all demands made upon him.”
• 1909, July 2. The BWT reported on the Sunday School services, at which JWH conducted a choir of 70 voices to several anthems. Special solos, hymns, and duets were sung by the children, and “Mr. Walter Horsfall played several voluntaries by well known composers in the most impressive manner.”
• 1909, November 26. The BWT reported on the 2nd annual concert at the Mechanics’ Institute by Thornton Vocal Union. “The concert closely following the choir’s recent successes. There was a crowded and enthusiastic audience to greet them.” The pianist was Mr. Walter Horsfall.
• By 1910 JWH and his wife had moved to 6 Firth Street where they remained for the rest of JWH’s life. His widow may have moved to Wharfedale after his death, as the only person I can trace with her name died in 1959 in Wharfedale.
• 1910, November 18. A report in the BWT stated “Thornton is reasonably proud of its musical institutions, and the fact that it has been chosen as the West Riding Centre for the rehearsals in connection with the forthcoming world tour of the Yorkshire Chorus…It is therefore, a happy thought for the 3 bodies – the Vocal Union, the United Methodist Free Church Choir, and the members of the Yorkshire chorus who rehearse at Thornton – to combine for the purpose of giving a performance of the “Messiah”, and will be conducted by JWH.” Later reports of this concert praised the work of the choir of 100 voices, led by JWH.
• In the 1911 census JWH was employed by Downs Coulter as a worsted warp twister.
• 1912, December 6. The BWT reported on another rendition of the Messiah, by the Methodist Free Church choir under the conductorship of JWH, noting “its merit lying more particularly in the avoidance of traditional errors.”
• 1913, August 5. It was reported by the Bradford Daily Argus that John W. Horsfall had come first in the window-box section for houses with rents of five shillings or under, in the Thornton Gardens Competition.
• Further reports of concerts at the Thornton United Methodist Church where JWH conducted the choir were made in newspapers, including in 1916, December 1, in the BWT, the last concert where Mr. Walter Horsfall is given as the organist, and the last time his name was published in any newspaper. Conscription was introduced on January 1 1916, and so he might have fought in WW1, but there’s no mention of him on any of the many Rolls of Honour or War Memorials in Thornton. There were many men named W. Horsfall but because millions of records were destroyed by fire caused by German incendiary bombs in WW2, whether or not he was called up is not possible to prove. He may have moved away, died, or even emigrated.
• 1916, December 11. The T&A reported on a concert at the Kirkgate Wesleyan Chapel, which was in aid of the Bradford Daily Telegraph’s Soldiers’ Convoy Fund,. The convoy sent regular parcels to soldiers from Bradford fighting in WW1. JWH conducted a choir of 150 voices, and the church was packed for both performances.
• In the 1921 census, he was employed as a Weft Man at Downs Coulter.
• 1921, October 8. The Bradford Argus reported that the members of Thornton Operatic Society were to perform “Dogs of Devon”, a comic opera in 3 parts, at the Thornton Mechanics’ Institute for 6 nights. Scenery and costumes characteristic of the 16th century had been provided by Mr. Francis Laidler of the Alhambra and Prince’s Theatre. A full orchestra, comprising 13 instruments, were to provide the music under the direction of JWH.
• 1923, November 14. The Yorkshire Evening Argus reported that the Thornton Mechanics’ Institute Operatic and Dramatic Society had performed “Iolanthe” by Gilbert and Sullivan. its review of the performance stated “…but one should not overlook the skill and enthusiasm of the musical director, Mr. John W. Horsfall and his henchman; nor the crisp work of the chorus. A bit strong for the size of the hall …” Fom then until 1937 JWH was not mentioned in the press, but continued to conduct choirs during this time.
• 1937, June 17. The Bradford Observer gave a list of men who had worked for their employers for more than 20 years. JWH is given as being employed by Downs, Coulter and Co. Ltd, at Thornton Mills, Thornton, for 26 years
• In the 1939 Register JWH was employed as a Weft man and order clerk, and Violetta’s employment was “Unpaid domestic duties”.
• 1946, June 20. The Bradford Observer reported that Eastbrook Hall, Bradford was filled the previous night to hear the Bradford Corporation Electricity Department “augmented” choir perform “Merrie England” under the direction of JWH. The work was accompanied by a Chamber Orchestra, and the concert was in aid of Bradford Community Centre Committee’s Margaret McMillan Appeal. In the interlude an organ recital was given by Sandy McPherson, the BBC organist. The Lord Mayor of Bradford was present.
• 1948, March 15. The Bradford Observer reported that appreciative audiences attended Mendelssohn’s “Elijah, performed in 2 parts in connection with the New Road Methodist Church Choir, and that JWH had directed the choir.
• 1950, August 29. The Bradford Observer carried an article with the headline of “Bradford man’s aim to form “mission” choir of 100″. The article states: “Mr. John W. Horsfall, – “John Willie” to the folk of Thornton, Bradford – is a man with a mission. He wants 100 volunteers to form a choir before 27 September, when the Centenary service of the Bradford City Mission will be held at Central Hall, Bradford. A choirmaster for 50 years, Mr. Horsfall already has one choir, the New Road Methodist Church, Thornton, but he has been invited to form a special choir to sing at the centenary service. In one of the anthems, Mendelssohn’s “Hear My Prayer”, Miss Vera Jennings, Mr. Horsfall’s niece, and a missionary at the City Mission, will take the solo part. Another item will be the “Hallelujah Chorus”. In 100 years’ work the City Mission has won for itself a special place in the hearts of Bradford folk. Its five missionaries, two of whom will speak at the service, each have an allotted and carry out valuable humanitarian work in caring for the sick and aged. The service will be attended by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Bradford (Alderman and Mrs Alton Ward) and the Deputy Lord Mayor (Mr. Angus Crowther). The Provost of Bradford (the Very Rev. John G. Tiarks) will give an address. Mr. Horsfall’s address is 6, Firth Street, Thornton, Bradford.”
• 1951, December 4. The Bradford Observer reported that Mr. and Mrs John W. Horsfall had celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary, stating that they had played an active part in the musical life of Bradford. It also stated that Mr. Horsfall had worked at Downs, Coulter and Co. ltd for 33 years before retiring 8 years previously, and that he was aged 75 and his wife 71.
• JWH died in the 1st quarter of 1958, aged 81.