IDA MAY HAIGH
The Child Vocalist of Golcar 1892 – 1904
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During her short life, Ida May gave pleasure to thousands of people with her magnificent soprano voice. According to John Griffiths, Headmaster of Knowl Bank School where Ida was a pupil, her voice was like that of a mature adult and not that of a child. Loved by all who met her, she was in constant demand as a soloist all over this area of Yorkshire & Lancashire. At 5pm on September 22nd 1904, Ida May died from a brain haemorrage ; she was only 12 years old. |
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Ida May was born in this house in Taylor Row, on May 26th 1892. She was the seventh child of James & Alice Haigh. Sadly, only three of them survived childhood. |
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This is Mr W H Bowker, one of the Sunday School superintendents at Providence, who read the appreciations of Ida at her memorial service om Sunday October 2nd, 1904. Of Ida, he said: “The school has lost its brightest scholar, the choir its sweetest singer, the village its future star…knowing Ida, we were obliged to love her, the sweetness of her character, the gentleness of her nature, and the beautiful spirit she displayed in all of her dealings with all people who came into contact with her, drew us irresistibly towards her, and now that she is not there, is an aching void in all our lives’. |
Mr F. Sandford, organist at Providence, and Ida’s piano & singing teacher. |
Providence Methodist New Connexion Church and Sunday School, where Ida May was a member of both the Sunday School and the choir. |
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Ida May Haigh, at age 11
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The announcement of Ida May’s death in the Slaithwaite Guardian. |
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The full press account of Ida May’s funeral
The re-discovery of Ida May’s grave, at Wellhouse, by Malcolm Fairless
