Town set to lose three instruments

By Robert Cockroft

A notable Huddersfield organ has fallen silent after many years and two more &endash; at St Cuthbert's, Birkby, and Marsden United Reformed Church &endash; are under threat.

The Conacher at Gledholt Methodist Church, emasculated in recent years by a clumsy re-ordering scheme, was pulled out in January.

The school on the site has been sold to a developer and the chapel interior is again to be reorganised.

Under the new plan, the members of the congregation will have their backs to the old organ chamber and a lift will be installed in the void.

Meanwhile, St Cuthbert's is understood to be seeking a buyer for its three-manual Abbot and Smith and Marsden URC is hoping to sell its large Conacher. Chances of a buyer being found for either, however, are thought to be remote.

Several Association members including Geoffrey Richardson, who played at Gledholt for many years, gathered there last October for a fomal farewell to the three-manual Rushworth and Dreaper rebuild.

Visitors were treated to a demonstration by the organist, our student member Jonathan Leigh, and several other members took the opportunity for a musical valediction.

But although it has gone, it will not be forgotten. Before Wood of Hudders-field began dismantling the organ, a recording was made for the HOA archive series by Simon Smith.

Moreover, some of its pipes will live on in other instruments in the area.

The great mixture and swell 16ft reed are already installed at St Stephen's, Lindley, and other stops, including the pedal trombone and great tromba, are earmarked for the proposed rebuilding scheme at All Hallows', Almondbury.

New recording waltzes in…

PIECES ranging from a Susato March to a Waltz by Rawsthorne feature on a new CD which can justly claim to be 'Made in Huddersfield'.

Borough Organist Gordon Stewart plays the town hall instrument and the producers are HOA president-elect Simon Smith and Huddersfield University music graduate Brian Jones.

The striking cut-away cover illustration of the town hall was drawn by Simon specially for this disc.

Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart, Hollins and Wagner are also represented on the programme. The CD is available from Woods and at most lunchtime organ recitals.

Brilliant line-up at March organ day

PLAY the organ, enjoy fresh insights into Bach or sharpen up your keyboard and conducting techniques

Those are some of the attractions offered at the Great Northern Day on March 6.

Organists and enthusiasts from all over the north are expected to converge on Hudders-field for a feast of music.

The day begins at 10am at the Town Hall when, as last year, people can avail themselves of the organ.

Meanwhile at St Paul's Keith Jarvis will direct a trouble-shooting session for players with technical problems.

Simon Lindley, of Leeds Parish Church, will direct a practical workshop on choral conducting in the reception room.

After a lunch break, there follows a recital by Gordon Stewart and Anne Marsden Thomas.

The afternoon will be devoted to a masterclass on Bach by Dr Peter Hurford.

More details: Page 3.