The Bridgewater Waltz

Stories behind the Headstones at St. Mark's Church, Worsley

THE BRIDGEWATER WALTZ

In June 2019, I spent a day at the Salford Archives, going through some dusty brown boxes, looking for something speci c in relation to the history of St. Mark's Church.

In a large envelope, I came across a piece of music entitled The Bridgewater Waltz. At that point in time, I was curious to hear what it sounded like, so I arranged for a photocopy and brought it to Je Ramsdale, musical director and organist at the church, the following evensong. Of course, he just sat down and played it on the organ!!

And what a story has developed around it! Composed in 1903, it was 'Dedicated to the members of the sta connected with the Bridgewater & Ellesmere Estates.' So questions like who? what? why? when? how? circled in my head. That year marked the centenary of the death of the Duke of Bridgewater and the expiry of the Bridgewater Trust. It was written by Thomas Tyrer Smith, a Commercial Clerk working for the Trust, and who was buried in our churchyard in 1912, aged 76.

Research was also being carried out at that time into some of the names on the gravestones. The name Thomas Tyrer Smith seemed familiar, but could not be placed. Suddenly, a connection dawned. The headstone itself is quite unusual in design. The name at the top is Elizabeth Emma, wife of Thomas T. Smith. The name Thomas Tyrer Smith is the third name etched into the stone.

T.T.Smith was born on 25 October 1835 in Wolverhampton, the son of a Template Worker. He lived at Rock House, in the village, from around the mid-1860's and prior to his death. Members of his family continued to live there, or nearby, until at least 1979! Elizabeth Emma (four children) died in 1867,and he married a second time - Elizabeth Penzer (three children) in Worcester in 1872. His family remained in Worsley, at least until 1979. The music has probably lain dormant in the archives for many decades. It was formally presented once more and played on screen as part of a presentation by Je Ramsdale at the Salford Histories Fair in October 2021. At the foot of the front cover, it states that 'Copies may be had from the Composer, Rock House, Worsley. Price 1/- nett.'

One of the visitors that day was Geo Oliver. He introduced himself as a presenter for the 'Going Classical' slot on Oldham Community Radio and he expressed a wish to broadcast this piece. His programme broadcasts on 99.7FM on a Thursday at midday.

To listen to the piece, you can nd a recording produced and edited by Je Ramsdale easily on YouTube under its title ‘The Bridgewater Waltz’. Or simply Google ‘The Bridgewater Waltz by Thomas Smith’. Thomas Smith composed another set of pieces for piano which will shortly be recorded. Written by Paul Speakman, Worsley