New Mills Church

New Mills Parish Church Choir.

Affiliated to The Royal School of Church Music.

Organist & Choir Director:Tim Hawkins. GLCM, LLCM(TD), LRAM,LLCM,Cert.Ed.

Some members of our choir, picture taken after the Festival Choral Evensong for St. George.
20th April 2008

- Your Favourite Hymns CD -
Recorded by New Mills Parish Church Choir

COMING SOON

For the Record - Our Previous Organists.
The organ was installed in the west Gallery in 1835 by Renn's of Manchester; it was opened on 25th of September by a Mr Ryder also of Manchester. From that time until 1885 it is uncertain who the organists were but following a report in the High Peak Reporter of May 23rd 1931 we are told that there was a James William Wyatt, one the most eminent musicians of the district, Tom Taylor of Furness Vale and James Pollard of Hayfield. The latter had been teaching his nephew to play the organ, so in 1885 the young James (Jim) Pollard became organist at the age of 14. In 1897 during the re-ordering of the church the organ was moved to the North East corner of the church and a new all male choir was formed. Jim Pollard continued until 1941, some 56 years. During these years he had trained his successor, James Cochrane and his only son, Douglas. James Cochrane took over in 1941 and remained til 1958, because of his duties during the war, (He was a Major in charge of the local Home Guard) Douglas played most of the timeduring the war years. James Cochrane retired in 1958 and Douglas Pollard became organist. Dear Douglas died suddenly in 1961, and Frank Woolfenden was appointed organist. Frank retired in 2007 after nearly 46 years. Earlier this year Tim Hawkins was appointed, we wish him well in his new appointment as organist and choir director.

Musical Changes - Neville passes the baton to Tim.

One Thursday evening in 1977, the then vicar of New Mills, John Statham, asked Neville Holt to take choir practice for him - and ''the rest is history''. said John Richardson, speaking at a presentation to mark Neville's retirement as Choir Director on 30th December 2007.

Neville served as Choir Director under five vicars, and wanted to retire four years ago, when Simon Murdoch took over - but when Simon left for university, Neville jumped - or was he pushed? - back into the role.

This time he as managed to lay down his responsibilities. His record of commitment to supportting worship at St George's through music is outstanding - for the last six months taking over as Organist as well as Choir Director - which is not as easy as he made it look. So, once more, on behalf of all who have come and gone over the past 30 years, thank you Neville, enjoy your well earned freedom!

We welcome our new Organist & Choir Director Tim Hawkins. He writes:

Dear Friends
Thankyou for making me welcome as I start my appointment as Organist and Choir Director. I am greatful to John and Neville for making the move from St. Mary's (Disley) as smooth as possible.

I have been invited to write a few words to introduce myself. So here goes...I have been involved in church music since I was ten - joining my local church choir in Hampshire. I fell in love with the organ and started lessons as soon as I could, winning an award from Hampshire County Council to further my studies. I played in several local churches before appointed Organist and Choir master at St. Peter's Titchfield.

Next to London, to Music College where I studied with Prof Gordon Phillips. I was appointed Organist at St. John's Notting Hill. At various times I also studied singing, piano, choral directing and orchestral percussion and gained a number of diplomas in organ performance and organ teaching. I graduated (with distinction) in 1985 and went to Reading University to study for a PGCE.

In my teaching career I have worked in five schools, mostly as Head of Music. Since 1991 I have been at St. Phillip's Catholic School in Glossop. I was origanally appointed as Head of Music and spent much of the last decade training music teachers. Two years ago I felt the need to move in new directions and was appointed Key-Stage3 Manager (still at St. Phillip Howard).

I met Carolyn (my wife) at music college. She is the Principle of the Music Studio in New Mills which she founded in 1987. Carolyn teaches the flute and the piano. She also studied organ at college, but has more experience as a Theatre Organist. She has given numerous concerts, broadcasts and recordings.

My children Gemma (17) and Robert (14) are both musicians. Gemma is currently at Chetham's School of Music studying flute/piano/saxophone and Robert is a drummer/keyboard/cornet player.

Carolyn and I married in 1988 - at St. George's. In the autumn of that year I was appointed Director of Music at St. Mary's Disley. I have enjoyed the last twenty years and seen the choir grow in confidence and skill, and developing special liturgies to bring the liturgical calender to life. I am involved with the Royal School of Church Music as examiner and director in singing and organ playing.

I hope to develope music at St. George's, to enhance and inspire our liturgies and to build on the excellent tradition established and maintained by my predecessors.

Tim Hawkins

Tim Hawkins

Organist & Choir Director