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John Sheppard

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Posts posted by John Sheppard

  1. Quote- Does anyone have any knowledge of similar Willis jobs to this one ?

     

    St Barnabas Church Sutton Surrey did have one, don't know if it's still there. The organ was based on the Christmas tree design.

     

    The organist at the church when the organ was installed was Michael Osborne, reed voicer for Willis's when the works were in the Old Kent Road.

  2. Perhaps I can shed just a little bit of light about Kingsgate Davidson.

     

    Their factory was in a disused chapel in Ivydale Road. London S.E.15 When they ceased trading in 1966 (I think) their tuning contracts were taken over by Rushworths, including two of Kingsgates tuners, myself, and Doug Littlewood.

    They looked after many jobs in London and the home counties, and also had a regular quarterly tuning round in Wales.

     

    As well as Mr Davidson Snr., there was also Douglas Davidson his son.

     

    Ralph Arnold, one of the organ builders employed at Kingsgates, went out on his own when the firm ceased trading, and did some rather good work in Kent and surrounding areas untill about ten years ago.

     

    Tom Robbins also from Kent, who used to work in the drawing office at H.Willis's, took over some of the tunings from Kingsgates when he started up on his own.

     

    Sorry I can't give you any further information.

  3. I'm fairly sure that Coychurch crematorium, near Bridgend, South Wales, has TWO pipe organs - one in each chapel!

     

    S

    One of the chapels at Golders Green has a Compton two manuel pipe organ, as does Eltham Crem.

    Anybody know what sort of organ is installed at Honor Oak Crem London S.E.4

  4. Quote "When the Bride is late"

    We do not allow late brides in our two church benefice.

    Last year a bride turned up almost an hour late, with not so much as a "sorry"

    When I asked one of the ushers what was the cause of the delay I was promtly told "Chill out man, it's a wedding"

    We noe allow a bride to be five minute's late no more. If she is later than this the wedding cermony does not take place, and of course no refund of fees!

    Guess what, all our brides now arrive in plenty of tome to have the obligitory potos taken, and the service stars at the alloted time..

  5. Quote "When the Bride is late"

    We do not allow late brides in our two church benefice.

    Last year a bride turned up almost an hour late, with not so much as a "sorry"

    When I asked one of the ushers what was the cause of the delay I was promtly told "Chill out man, it's a wedding"

    We noe allow a bride to be five minute's late no more. If she is later than this the wedding cermony does not take place, and of course no refund of fees!

    Guess what, all our brides now arrive in plenty of tome to have the obligitory potos taken, and the service stars at the alloted time..

  6. May I be allowed to offer some advice that was given to me sometime ago by soprano soloist, who has a superb voice but suffers something terrible with nerves.

    She takes one Paracetomol half an hour before her performance.

    I have tried this, as like most organists somtimes get "worked up" before a performance. It works for me!

  7. Back to topic.Whilst holding down keys as an apprentice for a tuner, in a bitterly cold church.A lady who had come to the church for a meeting in an adjacent room, kindly offered me a hot loaf of bread which she had just purchased from the bakers opposite the church. "Here you are lad"she said "warm your hands on this". with that she walked off and left me holding the said loaf. Those were the days!

    J.Sheppard

  8. I don't know if anyone else has the same problem, but I often find that I am playing faster than I think I am. I have been particularly aware of this upon hearing (usually unofficial, clandestine) recordings of "special services". (Our Area Bishop's chaplain has a habit of recording confirmation services and sending copies to the parish priests!)

     

     

    I hope you were paid the additional fee for the recordings.

     

    J.S.

  9. My most bizarre request for wedding music came from a couple in their seventy's. Both having lost their respective spouses. The bride given away by her son came down the aisle to," April love is for the very YOUNG". during the singing of the registar I had to play would you believe," Hello young lovers", from The King and I.

    Weirdest request for a funeral was the theme from "Match of the Day" for a keen Manchester United supporter.

     

    J.S.

  10. Does the organ position work at Truro? There’s no screen, so the organ should be just as useful in the nave as the quire. Do they move the choir into the nave for large services?

     

    The position of the organ at Truro does in my opinion work. Especially after the moving of the console in the 1960s. Having attended many services when the cathedral has been full, the choir still remains in the choirstalls. However, to hear the choir at a well attended service, one must sit at the front. as the further you go down the nave they can hardly be heard.

    J.S.

  11. Playing for funerals at the local Crem next week. Have been asked for the hymn tune WESSEX. Anybody out there know where I might find a copy of said tune please. I understand the funeral is for a member of the Christian Science Church. Don't know if that helps.

    Many Thanks

    J.S.

  12. Yes, the toaster is still the P.C. in Newquay St. Michaels.

    I know from a former vicar at Newquay, and Carbis Bay ( Canon Michael Fisher now retired) that they had a lot of problems when it was first installed. It was not unsual during services, to have the emergency services radios coming through the speakers as the vehicles drove past the church. This I understand is now a thing of the past. I did have the priviledge of playing the old organ before the fire. One of the best organs in the west country.

    There was a lot of talk of the toaster being replaced with a pipe organ, but still using the toaster's console. Sheffield Cathedral I think??

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