Former textile mill director and renowned local musician Geoffrey Richardson has died at the age of 98.
He had piano and organ lessons from the then organist of Christ Church, New Mill, James W. Buckley, but went on to study with one of the most accomplished and best known musicians in the Holme Valley – Edred Booth, who he succeeded as organist of Brunswick Street Methodist Church, Huddersfield, in 1945.
He stayed in that post until the church closed around 1949.
His studies had culminated in his success in the examination for the diploma of Associate of the Royal College of Organists. He subsequently became organist at Gledholt Methodist Church for some years when he retired from regular organ playing, and he became a churchwarden (from 1959 until 1983) at Christ Church in the village of New Mill where he lived all his life until his last few years.
He also was choirmaster for two spells at Christ Church, and often deputised at the organ between 1970 and 2000.
Mr Richardson was an active member of Huddersfield Organists’ Association, with three terms as President. He was also an accompanist to Holmfirth Musical Festival, a former president of Holmfirth Choral Society, a regular accompanist of Underbank/Holmfirth Methodist churches’ annual “Messiah”, and conductor of Holmfirth Feast Sing. He also contributed musical criticisms to the Examiner during the 1980s, and although not a prolific composer, he did write some hymn tunes in the 1930s which were revived and used regularly much later at New Mill.
Mr Richardson was also an active Freemason. He was admired by all the members of his Lodge and his Chapter for his astute judgements at all times, for his gentlemanly approach to all matters, for his musicianship and for more than 50 years service to his lodge. He was for many years Musical Director of the lodge and in this position provided many talented musicians to perform at lodge nights and social occasions.
He persuaded two of the lodge members to accompany him to provide entertainment at other lodges both inside and outside the area. After he had been through the Chair of his lodge he held the post of Provincial Grand Organist and provided musical accompaniment at provincial meetings. He would also provide music at many other lodge meetings.
During the war years, he served with the Army, in the Western Desert, in Sicily, Italy and then in France, travelling from Normandy through France, Belgium and Holland. Although taking part in active service at the front, for which he gained a series of medals, he found time whilst abroad to visit and play more than one cathedral organ.
Mr Richardson spent his working life with the New Mill textile company Copley Marshall & Co Limited. He retired in 1980 after succeeding his father as Managing Director in 1958, during which time he was responsible for implementing the changes in technology invested in by the company to maintain its position in the textile trade.
Following the death of his wife Mabel, and because of difficulties in walking, Geoffrey moved to a Masonic care home at York where he was able once more to organise musical activities – he ran weekly Songs of Praise sessions, playing the piano and organ in the home until only a few months before his death.
His funeral service was held in the care home chapel.
