Last Sunday, David Wright retired after the best part of 40 years as organist and choirmaster at St Andrew’s, Dearnley.
He has worked with several vicars, including David Finney, Peter Davey, Sharon Jones and, most recently, Rachel Battershell, and has spent most of his life in church music, playing his first service on the organ at the age of 13 at St Luke's in Chadderton. After university he attended St Mark's in Chadderton, before moving to Littleborough and beginning his long association with St Andrew's. The rest, as they say, is history!
When he moved to the area and started attending St Andrew’s with his family, the vicar back then in 1985, Revd David Finney, quickly installed him as organist and choirmaster - a role he has filled for all but a short time in his long and loyal service to St Andrew's. David and his two sons have also been members of Manchester Cathedral's voluntary choir in which they sang Evensong every Sunday evening. David, a teacher by profession, is a native of Chadderton and a keen Oldham Athletic supporter, although he has lived in the Littleborough area for many years.
Reflecting on his retirement, David says, "I've enjoyed my role at St Andrew's. It will be a wrench, but I will be 74 on Sunday and it's time to make way for someone else. I've had a good innings. I vividly recall when we had a choir of 20. I have a lot of people to thank for all their support over the years, but they are too numerous to mention here and, in any event, I don't wish to run the risk of missing anyone out!” "
Revd Rachel, the current vicar at St Andrew's, publicly thanked David for his dedication in leading the church music over many years, and David chose and played some of his favourite hymns for his last service as organist and choirmaster.
Thank you, David, for your committed and longstanding service to music at St Andrew’s!