John Gray & Sons/ Gray Radio

I found this in the 'Scarborough Evening News' dated 12th June 1997: “Hi-tech sound studio - IN THIS article we go back to the days when Scarborough had an early sound studio which produced records of local artistes and events. A recent feature about the John W. Gray radio, gramophone and photographic shop, which was for many years in Westborough, Scarborough, brought the record label, reproduced today - and a question. Roy Child, of Southwold Rise, Scarborough, who sent the label, asked if it was accurate - that is, did Gray's really make their own recordings. I got the detailed answer from Neville Gray, who for many years ran the family business at the corner of Westborough and Alma Parade, in the building that is now Anthony Gordon's. His father, John, who started the business, suffered ill-health in his later years, and when Neville returned home in 1946, after wartime service in the army, he took over the running of the of the firm. He had been with the British Forces Network radio service for a spell, and had learned there the intricacies of sound-recording. Back in Civvy Street, he set up a sound studio at 82 Westborough, complete with a state-of-the-art recording machine which used wax discs. Recordings of concerts and choirs were made in various venues. A number of records were made of the then Falsgrave Girls School Choir, which was highly successful and won many competition awards. Gray's could produce a master disc, and this was sent away to record pressers (o make copies for sale in the shop’s records department.”

In 1952 Grays Records Of Scarborough made a recording of Norton Boys School choir on a 78rpm record. I am about to "bin" the record but am prepared to send it to you if you would like it for your archive.