Long lost claim to fame

Luton Girls Choir, seen here  in Upper George Street boarding coaches to travel to London to sing at the Palladium, in the 1948 Royal Command Performance. In the background are the Luton Electricity Showroom, which closed many years ago, and the Duke of Clarence pub, which is still in business today, although Luton brewery J. W.Green is long gone.

The Luton Girls Choir was an English vocal ensemble that performed between 1936 and 1977, and made popular radio broadcasts and recordings between the 1940s and 1960s. It was established and directed throughout its existence by Arthur Ernest Davies (1897–1977). Below is an extract from a newspaper giving a bit more detail about the choir:

'Limitations were put on membership. The girls must live within five miles of Luton's Town Hall. They had to resign at 23 or marriage. They paid fourpence a week to be members. Their reward was the friendship of 120 other girls, the guidance of their Musical Director, the knowledge of the joy they give to their audience, and the help they bring to deserving causes. The girls were not professionals. They went to rehearsals twice a week straight from school or from the office desk or factory bench. They returned after a Sunday concert, tired but happy, and after a good night's sleep went about their daily tasks as usual at nine o'clock the following morning.'

And if you care to listen