Interesting, Mathew. I did google the festival and it seems to be a classical music festival now.Once Thomas had published these songs, I presume they couldn't be used in the festival any more - I wonder if he knew that.George Rathbone, who "gave" him the songs was, of course a composer from Manchester, mostly of religious stuff.

Thomas' version of "Poor Old Horse" differs from any other version I've come across and his "Mowing Song" seems to be a verson of "One Man Went to Mow".