Mexborough & Swinton Times, December, 2, 1932.

Birthday Gift

Those who saw “Miss Hook of Holland,” given by the jump players at Wombwell, last week, the group will recall that the festive aspect of the play centres round the circumstances of the genial Mr Hook, being 58 – it is a glorified birthday party. Not so many will know that for one person associated with the production and frequent references to this happy event had a particular point.

By coincidence Mr. Noah Hill, the musical director, celebrated his 58th birthday anniversary while conducting the show on Friday. The players became aware of this and there were many winks between stage and orchestra the significance of which the audience would not understand. At the close of the performance the happy event was marked by a presentation. Miss Margery Bawling (“Miss Hook”) handing Mr. Hill a set of carvers with the good wishes of the company. Reference was made to the part played by Mr. Hill in making the performance a success and Mr. Hill briefly and modestly replied.

The little compliment was deserved, for there are few in the district who have given so freely of their talent for charity.

Born in Hemingfield, Mr. Hill was taught to play the violin by his father, the late William John Hill, when he was ten years old. Later he took lessons under the late Tom Fletcher, a well-known teacher of music who married a daughter of the late William Washington, manager of Mitchell Main.

His association with choral and orchestral societies extends over nearly half a century. He was conductor of the Jump Amateur String Band for fifteen years, a member of the once famous lbbotson’s String Band, on the executive of the Wombwell Music Festival Society, a mem ber of the Barnsley Symphony Orchestra, and conductor of the Wombwell Symphony Orchestra, the promising career of which ended unhappily’ through loss of members in the war. He played his violin for the old Wombwell Choral Society end during the 16 years he was choirmaster at the Congregational Church the choir competed successfully in several festivals. For ten years he was choirmaster at the Wesleyan Reform Church, Jump. He is now leader of the choir at the little Methodist Church in Hough Lane. Through all his work for churches and charity, he has retained his “amateur status.”

He has done much to develop musical appreciation in Wombwell, and the town has cause to appreciate him. He plays several instruments and is a trained vocalist. But his greatest affections are for his violin.