By IAN W. SEELEY
I HAVE been invited to assemble a pictorial of Hawick Amateur Operatic Society, which celebrates the centenary of its founding on November 15 this year, and of its first production on March 29, 2011.
Several members and former members of the Society have been kind enough to lend me their (and, in some cases, deceased relatives') photographs for possible reproduction but, inevitably, there are gaps in the photographic record. For example, there is
a dearth of identifiable Society photographs of the period 1920-1939.
The local Press, of course, published photographs of shows during this period and while these are sometimes useful for purposes of identification, they are not suitable for reproduction. We would really have to find originals for this purpose.
Should any of your readers have any material (photographs or programmes) relating to this period or to the first four shows (pre-1914) and would be willing to lend them for reproduction or reference, I would be grateful for their interest and ask them to contact me on 375875 or by letter.
I am aware that people might be wary of lending personal property for fear of loss or damage. I can only assure them that any submissions will be logged and filed under their name and duly returned in person, with thanks. Please do not send photographs or other material through the post. I will collect if need be.
