BROMLEY & CROYDON DISTRICTORGANISTS’ & CHOIRMASTERS’ ASSOCIATION

PRESIDENT: MR. PETER SANDERS, D.O., M.R.O.______________________________________________________________________________

From the Hon. SecretaryMR. CHRISTOPHER TOWN, B.Ed(HonsLond)., LRAM., LGSM., ATCL., ACP., FRSA., FISM., HonLCM

96 RIDGEWAY DRIVE, BROMLEY, KENT, BR1 5DDTel: 020 8851 9116 (Home) 07960 369356 (Mobile)

e-mail: christophertown@ntlworld.com

13th June 2016Dear Members,

Our Annual Dinner is less than two weeks away on Saturday 25th June with Dr. William McVicker as our Organist Guest and the Revd. Bill Bowman as our Clerical Guest. You will find the menu and all other details below, so please invite your guests and place your order straight away.

First I must express out thanks to Mr. John Woodhouse for the excellent day he arranged for us in Cambridge on 21st May, in spite of the loss of Downing College from our itinerary. We began the day at Wesley Methodist Church where we found clergy and people but no organist. We initially failed in our attempts to start the mighty Hill Organ but a quick phone call to the current tuners informed us that we had to point a remote control at a box on the church wall. We were soon enjoying this very fine organ which would have sounded even more impressive if the abundance of carpet hadn't spoiled the acoustic. Our second visit was to the St Andrew Street Baptist Church where their own cafe provided us with a very good lunch. Here the organist, Geoff Warren was very happy to welcome us and introduce us to the organ which was based on a Norman & Beard instrument that had been rebuilt in the church by former Orpington organ builder, Ralph Arnold. This organ gave a good account of itself although it was suffering from a slight cypher. Thanks to the kindness of Sarah MacDonald, Director of Music at Selwyn College and Director of Ely Cathedral Girls' Choir, we were still able to visit a recent Kenneth Tickell organ - the one in the Church of St Mary-The-Less. Sarah gave us an excellent demonstration using Bach excerpts to show the wide range of tonal possibilities that this organ offers. Several members then took the opportunity to play. Finally we made our way to the imposing R C Church of Our Lady and the English Martyrs where we were welcomed to the organ gallery by Nigel Kerry. He gave us a brief tour of the magnificent 1890 Abbott and Smith Organ before inviting us to play it for ourselves. Members responded with enthusiasm, bringing our day to a very happy end. Many thanks are due to all those who made us so welcome and particularly to John Woodhouse for all the work he did in arranging the day for us.

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ANNUAL DINNER

Date: Saturday 25th June 2016Time: 7.30 (Sherry Reception) for 8pm (Dinner)Venue: Emmanuel United Reformed Church, The Grove, West Wickham, Kent, BR4 9JS.Dress: Lounge SuitsGuests: Organist Guest: Dr. William McVicker, BA, PhD, LRAM, ARCO, Hon ARAM, Hon

FIMIT, Organ Curator, Royal Festival Hall, Director of Music, St Barnabas Dulwich, Visiting Professor of Organology at the Royal Academy of Music, Independent Organ Advisor, Organ Adviser to the Diocese of Southwark and distinguished Recitalist and Recording Artist. Clerical Guest: The Revd Bill Bowman, BTh(Cantab), Minister of Emmanuel U.R.Church, West Wickham and Elmers End Free Church who was a Banker with Clydesdale for 44 years before entering the ministry.

Price: £25 per head inclusiveCont. over

2MENU:

Starter Salmon Fish Cake on a Bed of Salad Leaves with Sweet Chilli SauceORMinestrone Soup

Main Course: Parmesan Chicken served on a Bed of Mustard Mash with Green Beans and Roasted Butternut Squash with a Rich Mushroom SauceORVegetable Moussaka

Sweet Course Auntie Ann's Apple Pie with Custard Sauce and CreamORSummer Fruit Salad

Followed by: Coffee / Tea and Chocolates

Drinks: Sherry will be provided. You are invited to bring your own wine and glasses.

Bookings: Booking Forms with cheques payable to the Association should reach our Hon Treasurer, Mr Ian Verran by Monday 20th June at the latest.

Transport: Lifts can probably be provided on request.

Our catering is once again with Mrs. Ann Hughes of "Manna" who has provided us with excellent meals over the past decade and now presents us with another very tempting menu. The charge of £25 is unchanged from three years ago. It is intended to cover the actual cost to the Association but we need at least 40 members and friends to attend in order to break even! I am sure you will agree that this represents excellent value. Our Hon. Treasurer, Mr. Ian Verran, has arranged for us to use the hall at Emmanuel U. R. Church, West Wickham - a comfortable venue with good kitchen facilities.

The fact that we can take our own bottles of wine (don't forget your glasses!) ensures that we get good value in that direction as well.

Our Organist Guest will be Dr William McVicker, BA, PhD, LRAM, ARCO, HonARAM, HonFIMIT, who was our splendid host when we visited the Royal Festival Hall in January. Our Clerical Guest is the Revd Bill Bowman, Minister of Emmanuel URC and Elmers End Free Church. Both of our guests are excellent speakers.

Emmanuel United Reformed Church is quite easy to find. As you will see from the map it is located at the West Wickham High Street end of The Grove - about 5 minutes walk from West Wickham Station. If any members are worried about transport do please let me know so that lifts can be arranged.

Please remember that you are very welcome to invite any guests to join us for the Dinner. They do not need to be organists to enjoy the occasion! Why not take the opportunity to bring wives, husbands, relations and friends with you?

May I urge you to invite your possible guests and return the booking form to our Hon Treasurer straight away? We have generally had good attendances recently and it would be nice to have a really good number this year. Good support is important in order that we cover our costs! You will need to indicate your choice of each course on the booking form. This is very helpful in speeding up service at the Dinner.

We need to know numbers by Monday 20th June in order that we can notify the caterer by the following day so, if for any reason you feel your booking form may be delayed, do e-mail or telephone Ian Verran and follow up with cheques and forms later.

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NEXT MEETINGJuly 30th - Summer Country Organ Tour to Essex, visiting Thaxted and Saffron Walden, kindly arranged for us by Mr. Norman Harper. Norman has provided some notes about the visit which you will find attached to this Newsletter. Further details including organ specifications will be included in the July Newsletter.

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PENGE FESTIVAL RECITAL: There will be a composite organ recital on the magnificent Lewis Organ in Penge Congregational Church this coming Wednesday, 15th June, at 7.30 p.m. Organists performing include Dr Harry Bramma, Marilyn Harper, Jonathan Holmes, John Webber, Andrew Chadney, John Mitchell, Nicky Jones and Marilyn Nicholson. Do please go along if you can.

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Committee Meeting: At present we have a Committee Meeting arranged for Tuesday 19th July at the home of our President. Unfortunately this now clashes with the AGM of Bromley Arts Council which has been moved to this date to enable the Mayor of Bromley to attend. As I am currently Chairman of BAC I really need to be present. I will send a separate e-mail to Committee members shortly to see if we can find another date.

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BEXLEY ASSOCIATION: have organised an Organ Crawl on Saturday 18th June and will be happy to welcome any of our members who would care to join them."Meet outside St James, Sussex Gardens, Paddington at 9.45 and visit the church at 10am.Then bus (or even cab) down the Edgware Road & Park Lane toGrosvenor Chapel where we’re due at 11amThen back to St John’s Hyde Park Crescent for 12 noon.After that, we’ll find somewhere for lunch.It would be useful if you could let me know if you’re coming." Reg. Boulton [reg.boulton@btopenworld.com]

They have also organised a Treasure Hunt with members meeting at the Ship Public House, Green Street Green at 6 p.m. on Saturday 30th July. They will drive off to the designated village, then spend a couple of hours wandering around trying to answer cunning questions. They will end up in a pub for a meal. There will be a prize for the winner and they will welcome any of our members. Information from Bruce Davis - 01322 558129.

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A REMINDER FROM ADRIAN ADAMSThis year’s Celebrity Recital at St John’s Upper Norwood will be given by Daniel Moult on Thursday 23rd June at 7.30pm. As has been the custom in recent years admission is free but a generous ‘Gift-aided’ donation would be appreciated. Substantial refreshments will be available with the added bonus of being able to meet Daniel.

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St John's East Dulwich: John Webber has sent the attached flyer about a recital at St John's East Dulwich on 2nd July.

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Dr David Dibbs is a keen supporter of this series of Organ Recital which has been running for many years. I'm sure he will be very happy to give you any further details if you are interested.

ALL SAINTS CHURCH - HASTINGS - ORGAN CONCERT SERIES 20161878 FATHER WILLIS ORGAN 7:30pm. Tickets £8 (Season tickets available)11 July Daniel Cook, Sub-Organist - Westminster Abbey18 July Daniel Moult, Concert Organist25 July Geoffrey Morgan, Christchurch Priory - Dorset01 August Tim Wakerell, New College - Oxford08 August Simon Hogan, Southwell Minster15 August Simon Bell, Director of Scola Cantorum – Tewkesbury Abbey22 August David Newsholme, Canterbury Cathedral29 August Gordon Stewart, International Concert Organist

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LOCAL ORGAN RECITALS / CONCERTS etc.

Beckenham Parish Church - St George'sLunchtime Recitals – Friday at 12.30; admission free. Tea & Coffee served, bring your own sandwiches Saturday Coffee Concerts – 11 a.m. admission free. Tea & Coffee served, bring your own sandwiches. JUNE Friday 17 Milda Fontanetti (Mezzo Soprano)

Saturday 18 Duo Asteria - Corinna Hentschel (Violin) and Giulio Poggia (Piano)Friday 24 Sophie Macrae (Mezzo Soprano)Saturday 25 Patricia Williams (Singer, Reader and Pianist)

JULY Friday 01 Christy Ly and Dan Parrott (Piano Solos)Saturday 02 Gilly French (Soprano), Helen Prentice (Violin), Guy Hopkins (Piano)Friday 08 Moriarty Winds (Quintet)Saturday 09 Kanae Furomoto (Piano)Friday 15 Paul Gostling and Nathan Songer (Piano and Marimba)Saturday 16 Hammig String QuartetFriday 22 Rachael Pereira (Flute)Saturday 23 Yukiko Endo (Soprano

Bromley Parish ChurchSaturday Morning Concerts take place at 11.30 on 3rd Saturdays - coffee and biscuits, toast and cakes are served beforehand. - These events are free with a retiring collection. Please look at the Events section on the church website for more details on each concert.Saturday 18 June ‘Keep the Home Fires Burning - A recital of clarinet music and poetrySaturday 16 July Arianna Firth – SopranoSaturday 17 September Bromley Parish Church ChoirSaturday 15 October Saxophone and Marimba Duo - students from the Guildhall School of Music & DramaSaturday 19 November Fumi Otsuki – violin, Petra Hajduchova - piano

Bank Holiday Monday Celebrity Organ Recitals at 11.30 a.m. Admission is by programme at a cost of £10, This includes refreshments served from 11:00amMonday 29 August Claire Innes-Hopkins, Rochester Cathedral

Organ Recitals at St John’s Upper Norwood 2016: Thursdays at 7.30pm23 June Daniel Moult International Organist] 14 July Jacob Ewens [Organ Scholar, Keble College, Oxford] 13 October Paul Hale [Cathedral Organist & Rector Chori, Southwell Minster]

Christ's Chapel DulwichSunday evenings at 7.45p.m. Admission is free with a retiring collectionJuly 10 Andrew Benson-Wilson (Basingstoke)September 11 Matthew Power (London)October 09 Carl Jackson (Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace)November 13 Eleni Keventsidou (Rugby School)

St Michael and All Angels, CroydonWednesdays at 1.10 p.m.15 Jun Tina Christiansen Brahetrolleborg, Denmark 22 Jun Hartmut Leuschner-Rostoski Bayreuth, Germany 29 Jun Christopher Beaumont St Nicholas, Kenilworth 06 Jul Jérôme Faucheur Lille, France 13 Jul Charles Andrews All Saints, Margaret Street 20 Jul Joseph Matthews St Michael and All Angels, Croydon 27 Jul Richard Townend St Margaret Lothbury

Orpington Parish Church (All Saints), Bark Hart Road, Orpington.Second Sunday recitals, all at 7:45 pm, followed by drinks and a retiring collection.Sunday 10th July - Christopher Sales (piano)Beethoven: sonatas in E major, G major, and C minor.

Saturday 18th June 7:30 pm Orpington Symphony Orchestra, conductor: Raymond LewisTchaikovsky: Symphony no. 5; Lehar: Selection from The Merry Widow; John Williams: Selection from Star Wars.

Saturday 25th June 7:30 pm All Saints' Festival Choir, conductor: Raymond LewisStanford: Complete Morning and Evening Service in C; Britten: Missa Brevis, Rejoice in the Lamb Cont. over

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ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS: A REMINDER THAT ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS SHOULD HAVE BEEN PAID BY THE AGM. Many of you now pay your annual subscription by Standing Order in which case no further action is needed. Other members should send a cheque (£12, payable to Bromley Organists’ Association) to our Hon. Treasurer, Mr. Ian Verran,79 Brabourne Rise, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 6SD.If you would like information or forms for Gift Aid or Standing Orders do please let me know. New members who have joined us in the last few weeks will not be expected to pay another subscription until next year.

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I look forward to seeing many of you at our Annual Dinner on Saturday 25th June. Please invite your guests and send the enclosed form to our Hon. Treasurer, Mr. Ian Verran, to arrive no later than Monday 22nd June. Contact Ian by phone or e-mail if your form may be delayed.

Yours sincerely,

Christopher TownHon. Secretary

NB The Dinner Booking Form is on the next page. This is followed by Norman Harper's notes about our forthcoming visit to Essex.

DINNER BOOKING FORM

Please complete this form and return it with payment as soon as possible to arrive not later than Monday 20th June to The Hon Treasurer: Mr Ian Verran, 79 Brabourne Rise, Beckenham,  Kent, BR3 6SD. 020 8658 3909 e-mail: ianandsue5@hotmail.com

I will be attending the Dinner on 25th June and will be bringing_________guests. Our requirements are: (Please write names and delete as appropriate)

Member's Name ____________________________

Starter: Salmon Fish Cake Minestrone Soup

Main Course: Parmesan Chicken Vegetable Mousaka

Sweet Course:   Auntie Ann's Apple Pie Summer Fruit Salad

Guest's Name _____________________________

Starter: Salmon Fish Cake Minestrone Soup

Main Course: Parmesan Chicken Vegetable Mousaka

Sweet Course:   Auntie Ann's Apple Pie Summer Fruit Salad

Guest's Name _____________________________

Starter: Salmon Fish Cake Minestrone Soup

Main Course: Parmesan Chicken Vegetable Mousaka

Sweet Course:   Auntie Ann's Apple Pie Summer Fruit Salad

Guest's Name _____________________________

Starter: Salmon Fish Cake Minestrone Soup

Main Course: Parmesan Chicken Vegetable Mousaka

Sweet Course:   Auntie Ann's Apple Pie Summer Fruit Salad

Guest's Name _____________________________

Starter: Salmon Fish Cake Minestrone Soup

Main Course: Parmesan Chicken Vegetable Mousaka

Sweet Course:   Auntie Ann's Apple Pie Summer Fruit Salad

I enclose a cheque made payable to the Association for £_________ (£25.00 per head)

Name:                    Address:

Bromley & Croydon District Organists’ & Choirmasters' Association

Summer tour to Thaxted and Saffron Walden, 30 July 2016

For this year’s country tour we visit the wonderful and much maligned county of Essex. Fair enough, the bit I come from (Grays in “Sarf” Essex) is something of an armpit, but Thaxted and Saffron Walden (in the posh north) are delightful towns, with many well-preserved old houses and two magnificent parish churches.

Thaxted Parish Church has three organs: a small Conacher on a screen at the west end, which most probably is now beyond use, an electronic, which still is used for most services, and in the north transept the recently restored Lincoln organ, which is the instrument Gustav Holst and Ralph Vaughan Williams would have played when they served jointly as organists.

Saffron Walden Church has a large 4 manual, plus a Bevington chamber organ, which support a very strong choral tradition. Details of the organs are given separately.

The United Reform Church, Thaxted, has a small Conacher organ, whose stop-list appears below.

ThaxtedThaxted is best approached from the M11, exiting at Junction 8 (Bishop’s Stortford).Take the A120 eastwards* towards Chelmsford, exiting at Great Dunmow West, and following signs to Thaxted (B184). (*It is also possible to approach Thaxted by taking the A120 westwards towards Bishop’s Stortford, following the B1383 (via Stansted Mountfitchet) and B1050, turning left into the B184 when you reach Thaxted. Up to you.)

Either way, as you approach Thaxted you will see the church spire and windmill clearly unless there is a very thick fog or you arrive very late. Continue up the hill, past the medieval Moot Hall, and you will find the church at the summit. There is some parking at the west end of the church – turn left immediately you pass the church. Alternatively, follow the road round to the right at the top of the hill, and immediately turn right (into Margaret Street, though it doesn’t say so). You will find a free car-park on the left, together with public toilets. Walk to the church via Bell Lane – c1 minute. Take care crossing the main road – it’s more dangerous than it looks.10.00 Arrive at Thaxted Parish Church for welcome refreshments, kindly organized by Ann Pickhaver., followed by a demonstration of the Lincoln organ.Members will then be free to play and then explore the delights of Thaxted, including:

The United Reform Church, by invitation of Mr Edward Rook. The church is two minutes’ walk along Bolford Street, and we are welcome from 11.00 to play the early Conacher organ:

Specification: Compass CC to g 56 notesGREAT Open Diapason 8. Stopped Diapason 8 Flute Lieblich 4 Principal 4 Piccolo 2 SWELL Horn Diapason 8 Rohr Gedact 8 Salicional 8 Gemshorn 4 Fifteenth 2 Oboe 8PEDAL Grand Bourdon 16

Mr Rook writes: The cost of the instrument raised by a great great uncle was ( wait for it ) £300 which included erection and delivery Subscriptions were from £20 to 9d and 6d At the opening recital the cost for the three recitalist from Liverpool Street to Elsenham was £1.1.0 Mr Will Rogers charged 7 shillings for the wagonette from Elsenham and back again.

The Old Organ Works (quite so, Vicar) is found in Orange Street: down the hill, past the Moot Hall and bearing left in front of Town Street. Now converted into houses, the grey building used to house Cedric Arnold’s organ factory.

Sadly the Moot Hall opens only on Sundays and Bank Holidays, otherwise this would be recommended. But by way of consolation, a few yards down the hill you will see a blue plaque marking the house where Gustav Holst lived.

Back up the hill, John Webb’s Windmill is some five minutes’ walk from the church car-park, through two rows of very pretty almshouses. The windmill opens at 1.30 which will give just allow c30 minutes’ climbing up and down the steep stairs inside the mill, leaving time for the drive and arrival by 2.30 in Saffron Walden. It may be possible to call at the windmill on the way back from Saffron Walden if you prefer: closing time 5.30.

Lunch can be obtained at the Swan, across the road from the church, or at Parrishes licensed café down the hill. When we know roughly how many are joining this visit, I’ll endeavour to give both establishments confirmation of our advent, so they are forewarned.

Saffron WaldenFrom Thaxted Church, continue from the top of the hill along the B184 all the way to Saffron Walden. Follow signs to the Town Centre and to Swan Meadow car-park in New Pond Lane (left turning, about half a mile after passing the parish church on the right). Having parked at Swan Meadow (£1.20 for 2 hours; £2 for 4 hours), follow the pedestrian signs to the town centre, via Park Lane, turning left into the High Street. The Parish Church is a few hundred yards along on the right.

2.30 Meet in St Mary’s Parish Church, where we shall be welcomed by the former organist, Andrew Malcolm and the organ-builder Peter De Vile, who also sings in the church choir. The Director of Music, Oliver King, sends his apologies, as he is attending an improvisation course at St Bavo’s, Haarlem, poor chap.

Again, following a demonstration of the organ, members may play. Bear in mind that the 4-manual console is perched on top of the rather narrow-looking wooden screen, so if you have vertigo pills, hard hats or bungee ropes you are welcome to bring them.

Saffron Walden is a rather larger town than Thaxted, so if you need further refreshment, you will find plenty of nearby pubs and cafés.

Images of St Mary’s Saffron Walden

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=St+Mary's+Church+Saffron+Walden&qpvt=St+Mary%27s+Church+Saffron+Walden&qpvt=St+Mary%27s+Church+Saffron+Walden&qpvt=St+Mary%27s+Church+Saffron+Walden&FORM=IGRE

Images of Thaxted Parish

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=thaxted+parish+church&qpvt=thaxted+parish+church&qpvt=thaxted+parish+church&qpvt=thaxted+parish+church&FORM=IGRE

NH