Author: Paul

Well, here’s the second image from the building of my large Meccano model: what is it to be? I’ve actually made more progress than this, so will soon post a third image. If you can name the exact model then you win the competition and a new CD of me playing the wonderful organ at Southwell Minster will be your prize.

It’s been something of a blessing to have had time over the past six weeks to tidy and file everything that needs tidying and filing, to get in two really solid organ practice sessions a day, and to enjoy plenty of reading. However, there was still time for something else: then it came to me — Meccano!

Guess the Meccano model competition
My Meccano has been in various lofts for 55 years, so out it came, topped up via Ebay, and I’ve embarked on making the tricky model which last defeated me at the age of 12. I’m determined it will not do so now I’m 68! I’ll post photos of sections of it as they are made, and think it would be fun to have a little competition: the first reader who correctly identifies the precise model (name and number) I’m making will be send a copy of my Southwell Minster organ CD ‘Southwell Splendour’ which has a choice of music to suit everybody.
So, over to you, and here is an image of the first section I completed. What’s the model going to be??

With my concerts and recitals postponed and several of my organ consulting projects paused, I suddenly (like everyone else) have an embarrassment of time on my hands. Now I know what it feels like to be properly ‘retired’! Actually, it’s a joy, for every day I have time for organ practice — refreshing old and learning new repertoire — plus sorting out some 600 organ project files going back decades. Now that is done, the Meccano has been released from 50 years imprisonment in various lofts and I am going to embark on making that giant crane which defeated me as a 13-year-old. Watch this space! Photo of my house organ displayed here, out of interest. The console started out in Portsmouth Cathedral in 1947.

Just back from a most enjoyable trip to Potters Bar, where I gave the inaugural Gala Organ Recital on an organ newly installed in St Mary’s Church. Interestingly, the instrument is a transplant — made by T. C. Lewis for the old St Alkmund’s church, Derby, and rebuilt in 1972 for the new St Alkmund’s building, this fine 3-manual had seen scarcely any use as the church’s worship style evolved away from the organ. It proved the perfect fit for Potters Bar, once reconfigured and fully restored and updated by Henry Groves & Son, sounding cathedralesque in a fine acoustic. A large and supportive audience turned up — despite the coronavirus — and a good time was had by all — especially by me. See my Published Books page for a booklet about this organ.

I spent a stimulating (if freezing cold) couple of days this week in the great Minster Church of St Nicholas, Great Yarmouth — the largest parish church by volume in the UK. The task was to undertake tonal regulation of a new, if temporary, ‘Hauptwerk’ installation which will be in use until the famous Hill/Compton is rebuilt. A huge audio system with 48 channels/loudspeakers and 4 sub-woofers creates a remarkably effective sound in the building, using the sampled Peterborough Cathedral organ, in a reduced stop-list. Paul Stringfellow made the organ, fitting a redundant Rodgers console with Comptonesque luminous stop touches.

In 1963 I started at Solihull School as a grade 5 pianist and took piano lessons from the young Jill Godsall. Jill sorted out my technique and even tolerated my falling in love with the organ a year or two later. Jill had started teaching at Solihull in 1959 and remained teaching and playing there for an astonishing 60 years. Today this was celebrated as the Recital Hall in the David Turnbull Music School was renamed in her honour. 130 former pupils and friends gathered for this very happy event, including some mentioned on the 1970s Oxbridge Music Awards honours board I spotted alongside others on the wall [see below]. The school has an enviable record of success in educating fine musicians — long may it continue to do so, and long may the ever-vivacious Jill continue to pop in with helpful advice!

Speaking at the annual lunch of the Coventry & Warwickshire Organists Association today took me right back to my earliest days learning to play the organ, as a Music Scholar at Solihull School. Watching Nicholsons build and install the Chapel organ during 1965-1966 inspired my love of organ design and construction, which has gone hand in hand with playing ever since. Members of the Coventry & Warwickshire Organists Association (including the late Stephen Ridgley-Whitehouse, then the same age as me — 16) visited the new organ in 1968, an event I clearly recall. Speaking at their annual lunch I discovered that one member at the lunch had also been present in 1968. The intervening 52 years seemed to fall away!

It was a delight to be back in Southwell Minster on 23rd December, where we attended the first night of the Festival of Lessons and Carols. A lovely atmosphere, a packed cathedral, excellent singing and a wide range of carols. And no responsibility for it myself! Joy all round.

Anne and I are still in a trance this morning after a profoundly moving and immaculately prepared performance by the Oxford Bach Choir and CBSO of ‘The Dream of Gerontius’ yesterday evening, a concert dedicated to the memory of Sir Stephen Cleobury, members of whose family were present. The Sheldonian Theatre was packed, Roderick Williams, Ed Lyon and Kathryn Rudge were on inspired vocal form, and Benjamin Nicholas steered his forces through the deep streams and flashing rapids of Elgar’s masterpiece with calm aplomb and complete control. Intense detailed preparation of the score is all-important when it comes to conducting Elgar; few are as well-prepared as Ben Nicholas, who has an instinctive feel for just the right tempo at every moment. Totally inspiring!

We visited my parent’s grave here in the beautiful Arboretum Cemetery in Bingham a couple of days ago — two years since Dad died — and as we stood there, a lovely little robin came and perched on the memorial stone. He watched and waited — beautifully still — whilst I took a couple of photos, then flew away. My mother would have been so delighted!