South Yorkshire Times, December 27, 1947

Carols Were Pick-Me-Up for Mexborough Patient

Sixteen-years-old James Shakeshaft, Pitt Street, Mexborough, pupil of Mexborough Grammar School, who has been ill in Sheffield Royal Infirmary for more than 40 weeks, had a lovely Christmas surprise yesterday (Thursday).

Over from Mexborough to sing for him in his ward at the hospital were three pupils of Mr John Metcalfe, “Romani” Church Street Mexborough – Masters Gordon Bates, Roy Lund and John Ward. With the three boys were Mr Metcalfe (baritone), and Miss Jean Ramsden (soprano) of Dronfield

By permission of the Matron, they were able to give a concert for more than an hour of Christmas Carol songs and duets which was highly appreciated by the patients and staff in the ward. Mr Metcalfe told the “South Yorkshire Times”, “Our visit provided a pick me up for James, who knew nothing about the arrangements until we arrived and helped to add a little pleasure in the Christmas festivities.”

James, son of Mr. and Mrs Percy Perry Shakeshaft, returned borne after the first day at school follow the Christmas holidays last year and has not walked since. James had been in Sheffield Infirmary since February last. but was preciously a month in Fullerton Hospital, Denaby.

His mother said yesterday that James looked forward to seeing his school friends when they visited him occasionally in hospital. Recently a distinguished visitor to his ward was the celebrated violinist, Yehudi Menuhin, who, learning that James was interested in the violin and unable to receive his lessons, gave him three11 inch records of his own performances.

“James lives for the violin and for coming home for school,” she added

Christmas Day will be a particularly pleasant day for James’ nine-years-old brother, Kenneth. Owing to hospital rules Kenneth has been unable to visit James ever since he went to Sheffield, but Christmas Day will be an exception and Kenneth will be able to see his brother for the first time for nearly 11 months.