Coventry Co-operative Concert Orchestra

Hi, We are currently researching the history of the present day Heart of England Co-operative Concert Orchestra in preparation for our centenary in 2017. We would love to hear from anyone who can offer any information, but especially about the Coventry Co-operative Society Orchestra and its concerts during and immediately after World War II, or Thomas Garratt, the conductor at this time. Thank you.

My late mother who lived in Foleshill as a child received her first violin at the age of 14, in 1932. Some time after this she joined the Coventry Co-operative Society Orchestra, and I think was a member by 1939, as I have a couple of photographs with this date of an orchestra with her present, which I believe to be the Co-op Orchestra. She continued to play with the Co-op Orchestra for approximately 60 years following this and it was very dear to her heart. I have a couple more photographs which may or may not be of the Co-op Orchestra, because she also played in the Bedworth Symphony Orchestra and the University of Warwick Symphony Orchestra. My brother has a couple of concert programmes which I have asked him to locate if possible, and I will have a look to see what I have also.

Many thanks for this David H.