MUSIC and the arts have played an important part of Phil Brown’s life and is part of his family’s history.

In 1888 his greatgrandmother Mary Simcott taught music in Navigation Road, Northwich.

His mother was a dancing teacher and taught in the same building where her student Joan Pierpoint has her dancing school now.

Some 120 years after his great grandmother brought music to the town, Phil, head of Northwich Music School, has moved it from its original site in Church Road to a new purpose built school on the other side of the road.

Phil did not always fancy the idea of teaching music, but despite this he founded the Northwich School of Music in 1970.

After 38 years at the same address he says he wanted the school to have a new lease of life.

Phil said: “I didn’t think the school was professional enough.

“I wanted to be one step ahead of the competition.”

The school provides lessons for most musical instruments apart from brass and goes up to professional diploma level.

Phil said: “We are actually finding more younger children coming as school pressures increase and parents don’t want their children taken out of lessons.

“Everybody who comes along has a different requirement.”

He added: “We have had people coming just to learn a few pieces for auditions.”