In memoriam
Martindale Sidwell
F.R.A.M. F.R.C.O.
1916 – 1998
Organist and Director of Music
at this church
1957-1992
These are the opening words inscribed on a brass plaque unveiled in the porch of St Clement Danes church after a celebration Choral matins on 18th February 2007. The service was conducted by the Resident Chaplain, the Reverend Richard lee and the sermon preached by former assistant chaplain-in-chief to the R.A.F. the Revered Michael Stokes. The music, conducted by Peter Long, a former assistant to Martindale, was to exacting standards and reflected this in Sidwell settings to the Venite, psalm 103 and Festal Jubilate. The Te Deum – Ireland in F and Faire is the Heaven [Harris] offered a suitable balance to a very dignified musical occasion.
Many superlatives have described Martindale over the years, but the sermon from a text in Luke 9 v 28-36 “Peter said to Jesus, master it is good to be here” began with an unlikely analogy with the famous 1930s film King Kong’, the point being that the producer, like Martindale with his music, had the ability to transform the unbelievable into reality.
The service concluded with the unveiling of the Plaque by Peter Sidwell followed by a few childhood memories of times at St Clement Danes. This was followed by the inevitable tribute by Martindale’s most loyal devotee, Ken Jones.
It was unfortunate that Barbara was indisposed and unable to attend this special occasion. She readily gave her blessing to the event taking place as scheduled and it was much appreciated that Peter and Gabby with Tim and Elena were there. A number of Hampstead parishioners completed the link between the two churches to which Martindale gave so much of his life’s work, and from which so many of us were honoured to appreciate the legendary high standards he achieved.
A final thought completes the plaque:
Faire is the heaven where happy souls have place in full enjoyment of felicitie whence they do still hold the glorious face of the divine eternal majesty. Edward Spencer.
With this in mind we all retired to The George.