His older brother, William followed his father into the ministry, but Bernard was a musician, and he eventually became a tenor with the City Temple Choir, London. He made his debut as a concert artiste at Crystal Palace in 1906.

Bernard Tomkins held his ‘First Annual Concert’ at the Public Hall in Rushden, on Saturday 4th May 1907. Solo cornet player was Mr. Andrew Clark, a friend of Mr. W. F. J. Hewitt. They met in London before the Hewitt family moved to Rushden, where they founded a shoe factory, and the Amateur Dramatic Society. The Hewitt family also opened The Palace cinema in Rushden in 1910 . Stewards at the concert were: Mr J G Knight Mr R F Knight Mr L Perkins Mr C L Bradfield Mr A F Knight Mr W T L Flood Mr Allen Mr G E Cunnington

In 1910 Bernard married Lily Agnes Hustwaite, daughter of George Hustwaite, former headmaster of Alfred Street School. Lily was born in Buckland Brewer DEV, in 1889, when her father was teaching there. Her father became headmaster at Rushden General School when it opened in 1872, and after 5 years he moved to Devon. Seven years later George returned to the area, taking up the headship of Higham Ferrers board school. By 1901 Lily Agnes and two of her brothers, Percy and Edgar were teaching at the school with their father.

Programme of Concert for the Benefit of Mr. Frank Cobley 1914 The advert on the back is by Rushden Public Hall - Mr Bernard Tomkins was advertising his 8th Annual Grand Evening Concert.

Rushden Echo, 27th July 1917, transcribed by Kay Collins Rushden Vocalist’s Success – Miss E. Harlow to Visit France Miss Eveline Harlow (soprano), of Rushden, has, through the instrumentality of her singing master (Mr. Bernard Tomkins) obtained an introduction to Miss Lena Ashwell, the celebrated actress, who, as is well known, is organising concerts for the troops in France. Yesterday Miss Harlow was granted an interview by Miss Ashwell, who heard her sing...................