Every Picture Tells a Story

Andrew originally comes from Essex and after doing well in his history studies at school in his early years and also because he enjoyed the subject he decided to attend Durham University, from which he graduated in 1970.

Andrew says: "My first job was with the London Borough of Havering, and I have had a succession of jobs in local government and the health service, qualifying as a CIPFA accountant along the way.

I married Ruth in 1970, and we have three sons, Adam, Luke and Amos.  We moved to Pocklington in 1974, Carlisle in 1978, and landed in Patrington in 1983 where we still live.

I was able to take early retirement from North Lincolnshire Council in 2004, and am now self-employed, working half-time with North Lincolnshire Homes, the Housing Association created to take over the council houses in North Lincolnshire earlier this year.

I had piano lessons from the age of eight until I went to university, occasionally dabbled on the organ, and became the organist at St.Mary's Welwick when we arrived in Patrington.

That also led me into active church membership, and a number of other spare-time jobs; Deanery Financial Adviser for South Holderness, governor at Withernsea High School, member for thirteen years of the Diocesan Board of Finance, membership of other groups for the Diocese of York."

Andrew's picture is that of him playing the St Mary's Church organ at Welwick in the 1980s. The organ was in a poor state of repair when he arrived and hadn't been played in over a decade. The proverbial church mouse appeared to have set up home in the organ and had to be moved on before restoration could start to take place.

Andrew continues: "I am, of course, a member of two Parochial Church Councils, and lead monthly family services at St. Mary's.  I am also the Treasurer for the Hull Philharmonic Orchestra.

In 1987, when the organist and choirmistress at St.Patrick's, Patrington retired, I took on the job jointly with Richard Babington, and that is still the case.  I accompanied the Accord Choir, and for the last five years the Withernsea Ladies Choir, and also solo singers in music festivals and other events.

Over the last ten years I have been involved in getting all four pipe organs in the Patrington Benefice (Patrington, Hollym, Winestead and Welwick) restored and renovated by John Clough from Bradford.

When I knew I was going to have more free time, I wanted to use some of it in encouraging live music, and particularly in providing performance opportunities for young people. 

Andrew playing the organ in 2007

I teamed up with the University's Music Department last year to put on a number of concerts in our churches.  These have been well attended and appreciated, and I hope to continue that.  We also have a project underway to get organists and musicians from the University to record a CD of the four organs to celebrate the completion of their restoration this year."

2008 is already shaping  to be a busy time for Andrew, The 'University Early Music Ensemble" make an appearance at St Mary's Church, Welwick on Sunday 27th January at 3.00 pm and the 'Hull Sinfonietta' will be making music at St. Patrick's Church in Patrington, Sunday 30th March at 3.00 pm.