21

THE LAUGHTON SINGERS

The Laughton Singers began life in 1970, when the Sunday school at the Methodist Church was in

existence. It was suggested on one of these Sundays that the children of the Sunday school should give

a concert. As part of that concert dramatic excerpts from musical shows such as ‘The Sound of Music’

would be given. The ‘Sound of Music’ was at the height of its popularity at this time. In order to help

with the singing a number of ladies from the village formed a small support choir and they enjoyed it

so much that they asked if they could carry on; so the Laughton Singers were born.

Over the next twenty years the Singers gave many concerts within a thirty mile radius, mainly in

churches, but also to groups such as the Women’s Institute or the St John Ambulance. One of the

highlights of the year was the visits to elderly people’s Homes to entertain the residents. This was

especially enjoyable at Christmas time, when quite a number of Homes were visited to sing carols and

Christmas music. Although the majority of Singers came from the village, membership was not

restricted to Laughton. Members were attracted from Scunthorpe, Scotter and surrounding areas. At the

close, the Singers had a repertoire of over a hundred pieces of music varying from classical, songs from

the shows, modern, secular, sacred and Christmas.

In 1990 Royce Day, who had been the Singer’s Musical Director and accompanist since the start, could

no longer continue because of visual impairment. There was no one able or willing to take over from

Royce so sadly the decision was taken to disband. A reunion celebration was held at the Shooting

Lodge when members past and present gathered together in a final farewell. The former members came

from as far north as Scotland and as far south as the London area to celebrate twenty happy years of

singing together and fellowship.

Thanks to Royce Day for providing much of this information regarding the Laughton Singers

22

LAUGHTON CRICKET CLUB

Laughton Cricket Club had been in existence for many years prior to the Queen’s accession. In the mid

1950’s the members of the team were: Arthur (Spider) Fitchet, Les Stainton, Frank Savage, Arthur

Johnson, Fred Johnson, Harold Snell, George Hollingsworth, Mick White, Roy Chappell, Charlie

Clark, Henry Pickwell and Joe Coulton. All of these players lived in the village. The younger lads in

the village helped to make up the team if senior members were unavailable. The Secretary at that time

was Stuart Jackson, whose fiancé Margaret helped a lot with all the paperwork, including filling in the

score sheets on a Saturday night!

The cricket field at that time was the second field on the left along Scotter Road going out of the

village. The team played in the Gainsborough & District Cricket League but had very little success.

The next cricket field was the first on the right along Scotter Road, though this ground proved to be

rather wet and rough. However, with the addition of some younger players, namely Frank White, Lou

Hunsley, Wilf Walker, Les Marshall, Willie Marshall, Gordon Douce, Sid Brignull, Geoff Housham,

Dennis Wright, Louis Pettitt and Brian Spencer, the Club did have more success.

After many happy years playing cricket on Scotter Road, the Club moved to a new ground on Morton

Road with help from the Meynell family. After being very successful in the Gainsborough League, the

Club decided to join the North Lindsey Cricket League in Scunthorpe as well as staying in the

Gainsborough League. This proved to be an excellent move; Laughton Cricket Club won several

trophies in both leagues.

Though not necessarily players, the Club had several father and son members: Jack Needham and

Chris, Gordon Douce and Peter, Geoff Housham and Neville, Mick White and Nigel, Royce Day and

Paul, John Gelsthorpe and Mark, Stuart Jackson and Michael, Peter Marshall and Philip and Fred

Johnson and Freddy. Other players who assisted the Club were Geoff Goodburn, Alan Williams, Dave

Drake, Robert Wrath, Alan Wrath, Neil Bagnell, Ian Burrows, Howard Turnbull and John Turner. The

club also had very good support from their Presidents, Vice Presidents and the Meynell family.

Part of the Club’s programme of events was the Laughton Feast Cup which was played for during the

Feast weekend. Three local village teams plus Laughton competed for the Cup. Margaret Jackson and a

team of ladies provided teas for around 50 people for the occasion. They started with a picnic pack-up

taken to the cricket field. They then progressed to a farm trailer taken to the field and a buffet tea was

set out on it. The ladies were either covering the food because of rain or covering it if the sun was

shining in an attempt to stop it going dry. This was all good fun anyway! Next on the food trail were

salad teas, trifle and cakes in the barn when the ladies set out four team tables and also provided for

visitors if they booked in advance! The ladies also provided teas for all home games again starting with

a pack-up on the field, later setting out salad teas and cakes in the Reading Room and then in the

Chapel Schoolroom.

The highlight of the year, apart from the cricket, was the annual dinner/dance held in January. Several

venues were tried, including The Priory Hotel and The Bridge Hotel, but the most successful was the

Baths Hall in Scunthorpe. Margaret and Stuart Jackson organised the evenings for around 130 people.

There were three coaches picking up in Gainsborough and surrounding villages. In 1975 the cost was

£2.03 per person. The cost also included 35p for the one-man-band’s supper. The ‘band’ was provided