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The Upminster & District Philharmonic Society was the forerunner of the Havering Concert Orchestra. Formed in 1936, it consisted of both an orchestra and operatic chorus. After the war, the group restarted but as a string only orchestra rehearsing at the Drury Falls School. In 1954 Eric Coles was appointed conductor. He had just left the BBC Concert Orchestra and was approached by Mr Cyril Cooke, then principal of the Hornchurch Evening Institute, with the object of forming an adult amateur orchestra. Wind instruments were added and the Hornchurch Orchestra was born.
In 1965, when Hornchurch was absorbed into Havering Borough Council, the orchestra was again re-named with some of the original UPA members still playing an active part. Well known local artists such as Adrian Shepherd, Beryl Jones, Leonara Fane, Alfred Kendal and the internationally famous violinist Ralph Holmes all played with the orchestra during these years. Below is the earliest programme from our archives dating back to 1937 and featuring the Upminster Philharmonic Society’s presentation of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Mikado.
It was a three night run with tickets ranging from 1/6 to 3/6 and programmes at 3d each. The production
In 1965, when Hornchurch was absorbed into Havering Borough Council, the orchestra was again re-
took place at the Commemoration Hall Upminster (I believe this is now part of the current Trinity Church). The musical director was Fred Southgate, the Mikado of Japan was played by Herbert Parrish and Nanki-Poo his son by Basil Tucker. Patrons were asked to “kindly refrain from smoking during The First Act”. How times have changed.
A Look Back through the History of the HCO
