Harold George KNIBBS, 1913-1998 - 1st Violin

Created January 19th, 2020

Harold was a keen violinist from a very young age. His first violin cost him 7s.6d (37.5 pence or 50 US cents in today's money). He spotted it in a second-hand shop and saved his pocket money over many months but still couldn't quite afford it. .
His older sister Winifred, who was working at that time, helped out and gave him the rest towards it
Whilst not known other than locally for his musical talent, he was instrumental in forming the first orchestra at the Fairfields Boys' School in Basingstoke. At Christmas 1927, his music teacher, Mrs Atwell, at the Fairfields Boys' School in Basingstoke wrote to Harold expressing her appreciation for his help "so quickly and kindly given" in forming the new school orchestra (believed to be that shown in the photograph on the right) and presented him with a brand new music stand as a reward. 
Harold later played for the WGMB, which we believe stood for the Weslian Guild Mission Band, in Basingstoke.
Back Row: Morris Hedderley (Organist), Frank Bath, Jim Morris (not play), Bill Wittle, Len Franks (Deputy Conductor), Arthur Bath (Band Leader) 
Middle Row: Mr. Reynolds (Mission Leader), Miss Reynolds (Vocalist), Rev. Ash Parsons, Kimber (Band Conductor), Harold Sansum.
Front Row: Harold Knibbs, Hedderley, Phil Pavey.
He went on to play for the Basingstoke Methodist Chapel Orchestra and at the age of 17, he was amongst the first members of the Basingstoke Orchestral Society (BSO) when it was formed in 1930. 

On 5th April 1932, he played 1st Violin in their Concert at the Town Hall, Basingstoke.  
(Click to enlarge)

To quote from the BSO's web pages from 1996, "in analysing the present status of the Orchestra one has to realise that it is the pioneers who have gone before, both players and conductors, who have paved the way". Harold was one of those pioneers and would be proud to know that it is still performing successfully today.  (Click to enlarge)
  

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