After graduating from Dartington College around 1960, Muriel Main returned to her home town of Carlisle to take up a teaching post as head of music at the new Harraby Secondary School, a position she held until she retired.
Although only a little over 4 feet six inches tall, Muriel boosted her presence by always wearing the highest heels available; that, and her forceful personality meant that she was more than a match for the boisterous students with whom she was confronted at the school. Indeed, she devoted much of her life, both in and out of school, to teaching and encouraging young people to appreciate and love music.
Out of school, Muriel was one of Ena Mitchells pupils, training as a soprano and singing with the foremost Cumbrian singers of the day, namely the tenor Robert Bowman, mezzo Elizabeth Lamb and basses Sam Bellingham and Toner Gannon. Together, they sang for many years throughout Cumbria, giving much pleasure to their audiences and helping many charities.
In addition to her teaching and singing, Muriel was a gifted choral conductor, and for many years she directed the long established Carliol Choir. She also held the baton for Carlisle Choral Society, who specialised in the operas of Gilbert and Sullivan. And here we might make mention of Harry Cheeseman, the lift-man from Binn’s department store and Muriel’s star chorus performer. Known by everyone in the city, Harry was one of Carlisle’s great characters. Infuriatingly for Muriel though, Like Corporal Jones of Dad’s Army, Harry was always one beat behind everyone else!