Malcolm Cruise is celebrating 50 years as organist and choirmaster at All Hallows’ Parish Church, Almondbury.

He was appointed by the then Vicar of Almondbury, the Rev Canon Rex Clarke, during the late spring of 1965 and took up his duties there on August 22, 1965."

Previously, he had been in a similar post at the former Hillhouse Congregational Church for seven years and before that he was assistant organist at Huddersfield Methodist Mission in Queen Street, now the Lawrence Batley Theatre.

Malcolm’s training as an organist began at Huddersfield Mission where he studied with the long time organist and choirmaster there, the late Alfred S Frost, from the age of 14.

And Alfred, apart from being a good teacher, brought out his interest in choral music and choral training.

After Almondbury Malcolm continued his studies with the then master of the music at Wakefield Cathedral, Dr Percy G Saunders.

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At Almondbury, he succeeded the late George Hepworth, who had been in the position for 10 years and at the time, Malcolm thought he might do the same length of time and then move on.

But he is still there.

Malcolm, features editor at the Examiner for many years, said: “Choir members are all most loyal and enthusiastic and in addition to them I have been helped immensely over the years by my Assistant, John Foster, and by one or two other organists, particularly Dr Robert Cockroft.

“During all those years I have played for well over 7,000 services and directed several thousand rehearsals, including many weddings and funerals.

“Now, though, at age 79, some would argue that I’m getting a bit long in the tooth for the work involved but I’m not quite ready for retirement just yet!”