This webpage has come into being through the good graces of COVID-19 which has caused the cancellation of my planned 6 months travel around the globe as a Sacred Harp singer. As a replacement, I have returned to revising song anecdotes many of which were written more that 20 years ago. While going through the pub songs, I returned to my childhood where music hall songs were common fare both at school and in my family. Now as a Worcester-born man it behooves me to name two of those faithful city's famous musical sons and daughters to whit Edward Elgar and Vesta Tilley.
Whilst I knew and know very much about Sir Edward Elgar, I was totally ignorant of Vesta Tilley and her admiration throughout Britain, Australia and the USA. Why should that be? Perhaps "low-brow" music hall artistes were considered not to be worthy of being included in music education at the Worcester Royal Grammar School!. Whatever!
Thus my starting point is 60 Old-Time Variety Songs from which I have known and sometimes sang at least 40 of the songs given. The target is to research every singer, composer, songwriter and venue named in that publication's 152 pages. Surfers are welcome to make contributions, suggestions and corrections.

Geoff Grainger, Hillsborough, July 2020

Music Hall Ladies' Guild - 1908

President.	Miss Marie Lloyd
Vice-Presidents;	Mrs. Fred Ginnett and Miss Lily Burnand
Treasurer:	Mrs. Julia Earnett
Committee:	Mrs. Eugene Stratton, Miss Maude Mortimer, Miss Kate Vu'cma, Miss Lil Hawthorne, Miss Ray Wallace, Miss Gladys Mavius, Mrs. Butler, Miss Lottie Albert, Miss Belle Elmore, Mrs. Charles Best, Miss Freda Charlotte
Treasurer:	Miss Anna De Grey
Offices:	2, York Street, Covent Garden, W.C.

Aim:
The above Guild has been formed with the object of assisting the wives of artists who, through lack of employment, illness, or confinement, are in want of help, by supplying proper medical aid, food, coal, or other necessaries as may be required. Also, in cases of confinement, to lend a supply of suitable baby clothes for the first month, to be returned at the expiration of that time. To assist widows of artists tofind suitable employment ; to find employment for children of poor artists and orphans, as programme sellers, call boys ; also office work or other suitable employment, and in cases where possible to assist them in obtaining parts in sketches where children's parts are included ; to supply necessitous artists with free clothing; to sell stage and other clothing to artists who may require them, at a very nominal cost ; to visit the sick ; to give toys, books, and games to sick children of artists. .

• A Brief History of the Music Hall
• The Great British Music Hall
• List of British music hall musicians
• The Popularity of Music Hall