A century of pulling out the stops

CELEBRATING 100 years of making music, from left, Oldham Mayor Councillor Shoab Akhtar, the Archdeacon of Manchester, the Ven Andrew Ballard and president of the Rochdale, Oldham and Tameside Organists Association, Christopher Lowe, cut the cake

A GROUP of organ music enthusiasts marked their centenary at Oldham Parish Church at the weekend.

The Archdeacon of Manchester and the Mayor of Oldham joined a select group of accomplished musicians as the Rochdale, Oldham and Tameside Organists Association celebrated its 100 years in style with a thanksgiving service.

The Archdeacon, the Ven Andrew Ballard, led the service, with a little help from a massed choir, conductor Ronald Frost, director of music at St Anne’s Church, Manchester, and the nationally acclaimed concert organist Keith Hearnshaw.

The group now has more than 80 members, made up of organists, choirmasters and enthusiasts who visit churches and cathedrals to play.

The group regularly arranges concerts at Rochdale Town Hall and occasionally venture further afield to play at cathedrals and minsters, including a memorable trip to Paris last year. The association is non-denominational and members who have gone on to gain national acclaim include David Wickens, former organist at Oldham Parish Church.

Christopher Lowe, the group’s president, is currently writing a book about the history of organs in churches and schools in the Oldham and district area and is keen to hear more.

People can contact Mr Lowe on 0161-955 8736 or 0161-626 0917.