History of Hutton Rudby Choral & Dramatic Society

Malcolm McPhie been interested in the history of the Hutton Rudby Choral & Dramatic Society and been collecting material about it for years.  I've known he was planning to find a way to make this fascinating local history available to the general public, and have wondered how he would do it.

And here at last his long-awaited message!

I have finally reached the point where I can now share the information I have and tonight launched the Facebook page listed below:

Hutton Rudby Choral & Dramatic Society - History

Currently this covers the period 1920 to 1950, which I know won't be of interest to everybody. If your particular interest is in later productions I suggest you "like the page" to receive notifications of updates, or save the link so you can call back after I've added further material. 

If I see a reasonable amount of interest in these pages, I may add more material on, say, a weekly basis. 

A brief explanation of my reasons for creating this are in the "Welcome" album. I also recommend you take time to read the story of Walter Lyulph Johnson (Watty) the Founder and original President of the Society. I can guarantee you will learn more than you ever knew about the Johnson Room and its benefactor.

Please feel free to leave comments and reminisce with others who visit the site.

However, if you spot any mistakes (and there will be plenty) it will keep the pages tidier if you message me rather than clutter the pages with corrections. I'll add them all to a list for correction.

Malcolm McPhie

I've put a permanent link to it at the bottom of this webpage.

Comments - thank you!

I'd like to thank everyone who sends me such kind comments about this blog - they are much appreciated!  Today I publish one from Andrew, who is related to both the Fawcetts of Crathorne and the Honeymans of Hutton Rudby.

William Orton, forger of Hutton Rudby

On 27 January 2013 I told the story of William Orton of Hutton Rudby, who was found guilty at the York Assizes in March 1821 of forging and passing a counterfeit banknote and was sentenced to be transported to New South Wales.

Geoff Royle, his descendant, followed up the trail and within a very short time reported to this blog (see "William Orton of Hutton Rudby and New South Wales") that William had gained an excellent character in the first 24 years of his time in Australia but in 1845 at the age of 67 had been caught out once again in a matter of forgery and been sentenced to two years in Parramatta Gaol.

Geoff has now discovered that William's first years in New South Wales were not without incident.  He tells me (and you can find more details of the family on his website)

1829 Dec/1830 Jun   In more hot water!  In June 1830 he had a "ticket of leave" cancelled as he was found guilty at Paterson Plains, NSW, of receiving stolen property.  

For reference : A "ticket of leave" allowed convicts to work for themselves on condition that they remained in a specified area, reported regularly to local authorities,  and if at all possible, attend divine worship every Sunday.

William must have won his excellent reputation after 1830!