1871 to 1872

As to the church itself, although it had been beautified by the addition of the east windows, the drab interior still drew many comments. One critic remarked in the local paper:

The only advantage of attending Norbury Church is that it will make worshippers long for that more beautiful sanctuary which is in store for the faithful who have had the perseverance to attend worship in the present depressing interior.

A New Organ and Organist

However, in 1871 the first improvements to the church were made by the installation of a new organ by the reputed organ designer and builder G.F.W. Jardine & Son (13) of Manchester.

So great was the interest shown at its opening on the 24th June that Mr Poulson, (14) a local coach proprietor, ran a special omnibus from the Manchester Arms in Stockport, so as to arrive in time for the service. The old organ was found a new home in the Hazel Grove Wesleyan Chapel.

After St. Peter's Church Choir of Stockport, with Mr H. Collier presiding at the new instrument, had performed the grand choral opening service with great style and precision, there was no lack of voluntary organists for the remainder of that year, who wished to try out the new instrument.

At the beginning of the next year an announcement in the Manchester press drew replies from 14 applicants for the post of Organist and Choirmaster, at a salary of £30 per annum. Three well known Stockport church organists were asked to make a selection, and chose the young Mr W.H. Maxfield from Longsight, who took up his duties on Easter Sunday 1872.

During the next seven years he raised the standard of music at Norbury so that the choir in "number and artistry" ranked as one of the first in the neighbourhood.

The church choir's frequent public appearances during the winter months were faithfully reported in the local press. Their summer activities did not go without comment either, as they relaxed by hiring one of Mr Poulson's wagonettes to visit the beauty spots at Northenden, Gawsworth, Alderley Edge and Rudyard Lake. Their visit to Buxton one year drew comment from the Spa's local press, for after they had visited the local beauty spots and partaken of a "hearty tea" they assembled in the Crescent and sang selections from their repertoire, much to the delight and admiration of the townsfolk and visitors.

(13) G.F.W. Jardine also built the organ for the Free Trade Hall, Manchester.

(14) Mr Paulson's wife was the licensee at the Bull's Head while he operated a local omnibus service.