Choir Outing

The choir outing from All Saints Church Loughborough was an annual event, and keenly anticipated by the members.

I remember a year in the mid nineteen fifties, when we all went to London by train.  Going by train was in itself a pleasure for us young boys, as most of us were keen train spotters.

We endured the insides of St Paul’s with its gold and glitter, and then into the long and very much more sober Westminster Abbey, followed by a packed lunch on a green space near to Tower Bridge.

A river trip was also included before the party returned to St Pancras at about 7.30 pm.

Not to miss out on a chance for a bit of extra train spotting at the neighboring Kings Cross station, four of us ran down the dividing foot tunnel, and up the steps into this hallowed East Coast Main Line station.  We were well rewarded by the sight of ‘60034 LORD FARRINGDON’ just arrived with an express from York. Wonderful!

Pushed for time, we ran back to St Pancras only to find our train within seconds of departure.  The train guard, with whistle at the ready and accompanied by our choir master, stood by the remaining open door. We were propelled firmly into the last coach.

A lecture on punctuality and the reasons for choir outings followed.

I still have the Ian Allan book in which I recorded my first A4 pacific locomotive, and yes I still sing!

David Taylor