Martindale and Barbara Sidwell

Flower Festival 2012:

arrangement showing the organArranged by Pauline Berryman in memory of Martindale and Barbara and given by Hampstead Parish Church’s Friends of the Music

Martindale Sidwell (1916 – 1998) was a chorister at Wells Cathedral and was appointed cathedral sub-organist at the age of 16.  Martindale maintained a strong wartime connection to music-making, as director of music at Warwick School, organist of Holy Trinity Church, Leamington Spa and conductor of the Leamington Spa Choral Society.

Barbara Hill (1920 – 2008) studied at the Royal College of Music.  A noted performer of the piano and the harpsichord, Barbara became Professor of Piano at the RCM.

They married in 1944.and moved to Hampstead in 1947.  No. 1 Frognal Gardens became their family home where Barbara ran an ever open house to many musicians and friends.

Director of Music at Hampstead Parish Church from 1947 until 1995, Martin established the choir at Hampstead Parish Church and it became one of the finest choirs in the country.  He did not suffer fools gladly but the choir held him in high regard and many of them became international musicians.

Their eventful 54-year marriage ended in 1998 with Martindale’s death.

martindale-large2 click once on the image

This page was last updated on July 18th, 2012.

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