Update June 2010

 

Farewell, Faithful little friend!

 

Early on Thursday 17th June the men from PPO – with Geoffrey himself leading the party – came and dismantled the faithful little Organ which has served us so well from August 2009 to Easter 2010.

 

In some ways it was sad to see it go – had we been able to keep it as a second organ, all sorts of things might have been possible – but it’s urgently needed at St Lawrence’s Hatfield, Doncaster, where by now I’ve no doubt it’s making merry music. Interesting to think that whilst for us the Organ restoration is over and finished, for them it’s just beginning! Needless to say the PPO team had the job done in record time – within half an hour of arriving; they were driving away up the Church path on their way to Hatfield.

 

Luckily I was quick enough to take some pictures.

 

Meanwhile don’t miss the Re-dedication and inaugural recital by Geoffrey Coffin on Saturday 3rd July at 7.30. Come early to get a good seat!

 

Geoffrey Coffin was Organ Scholar at Emmanuel College, Cambridge from 1965-68 and studied with Sir David Willcocks. On leaving University he worked as Administrator of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, moving to York in 1971 when he was appointed assistant organist to Dr. Francis Jackson at York Minster. While serving in this capacity he also developed his interest in organ building and worked for a major English firm, both in Britain and, later, abroad. He established Principal Pipe Organs in York in 1983 and he and his staff have built a significant number of new organs.

They have also undertaken a wide range of restoration work in every part of the country from the smallest chamber instrument to the Screen organ in York Minster (1992-93). They were delighted to undertake the restoration of the Forster and Andrews instrument at St. Mary’s.

 

Currently, the team is completing the reconstruction of the large three manual and pedal organ at St. Peter’s Church, Lutton Place in Edinburgh before undertaking similar projects at Lastingham, Farnham in Surrey, Berwick-on-Tweed and Darlington and constructing new instruments for the Guild Chapel in Stratford upon Avon and West Heslerton and Low Row parish churches.

 

Geoffrey has played widely in Britain, Denmark and Holland and has also participated in broadcasts and recordings. He continues to play solo recitals, regularly directs various choirs and accompanies singers and instrumentalists.

 

It promises to be quite a night!

 

John Townend

O E.