WEEK 42

Jim at 69 Bradgate Lane, Rotherham, circa 1928

Clifford James Pinder (known as Jim), born in 1916 in the Rotherham district, is my first cousin, twice removed and son of Francis Thomas Pinder and Harriett Amelia English.

Jim, like his sister, Dorothy, was a Teacher in Rotherham, before moving to Lichfield and Burntwood to teach in the Staffordshire area.

Jim was a renowned organ player, a skill inherited from his father and grandfather.

THE ADVERTISER, SAT., JAN. 22nd, 1955

Methodist Organist Leaving

Mr. James Pinder has announced that he is to relinquish the positions of organist and choirmaster at the Kimberworth Methodist Church to become organist and choirmaster at Conisbro’ Parish Church. He will commence his new engagement on Sunday February 13th.

Kimberworth Methodist Church

Mr. Pinder, who is a native of Rotherham, has been a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists since 1952, and a Licentiate of the Trinity College of Music since 1948. he has held the joint offices of organist and choirmaster at Kimberworth since about 1946.

Mr. Pinder is also the Sunday school superintendent at Kimberworth, and has been a local preacher in the Rotherham Methodist Circuit for about eleven years. He is music-master at the Spurley Hey County Secondary School.

Saint Peter’s Church, Conisbrough

Mr. R. Newton, an assistant organist at Kimberworth, has been appointed to succeed Mr. Pinder as organist.

I only met Jim once, in 2009, and he passed away six months later.

Following Jim’s death, some of his music was sold in order to help the Lichfield & District Organists’ Association.