SIR Ivor Atkins, who was Master of the Choristers and Organist of Worcester Cathedral for more than half-a-century, died this week exactly 50 years ago and within three days of his 84th birthday, writes Michael Grundy.

He had been a great friend of composer Sir Edward Elgar and a leading figure for decades in Europe's oldest music festival, the Three Choirs. His wife, Lady Atkins, had been only Worcester's second woman Mayor in 1936-7.

Berrow's Journal of November 27, 1953, carried this obituary: "Sir Ivor's death closes a career that has been of enduring value in the service of music both in this county and far beyond its borders.

"He celebrated his Golden Jubilee as Organist at the Cathedral in October 1947 and conducted an orchestral concert staged at the Cathedral in his honour.

"Born at Cardiff in 1869, he went to Truro at 15 as a pupil and assist

tant to the Cathedral Organist, Dr G.R Sinclair, whom he followed to Hereford Cathedral in 1890. Two years later he gained his Bachelor of Music degree from Oxford and soon afterwards was made a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists, later becoming its president for a term.

"He was assistant organist at Hereford Cathedral and then Organist at Ludlow Parish Church before being appointed to Worcester Cathedral in 1897. In 1905 he founded the Worcestershire Orchestral Society, of which his great friend Sir Edward Elgar was a member. In the same year he composed a cantata entitled Hymn of Faith, to words arranged by Elgar. It was performed at the Three Choirs Festival and received marked favour.

"Sir Ivor conducted his first Three Choirs Festival at Worcester in 1899 and was Festival Conductor at every Worcester meeting until his retirement. To him was due the Festival's revival in 1920 after a six years' silence due to the Great War.

"The honour of knighthood was conferred on him in 1921 for his great service to music generally. There are few musical organisations in Worcestershire with which he had not been associated. His fine technique as an organist and his influence as conductor, musical editor, composer and expert authority are fully recognised by musicians everywhere."

Sir Ivor retired as Worcester Cathedral Organist in 1950 and always felt honoured that Elgar had dedicated his Pomp and Circumstance March No.3 to him.

Interestingly, Sir Ivor and Lady Atkins' only child, Wulstan, who was Elgar's godson, died just this year aged 99.