notebasher

Yes I recall that some (more-or less) totally enclosed Comptons do this; all the swell boxes close when they are switched off. I understand that because all the pipes apart from some basses are treated the same way there aren't any issues with tuning but the pipework remains cleaner. Even so on 'normal' organs I leave the boxes open for the reasons John explained. R.

Hmmm. And there's me thinking it was a llama farm... R

What, every note in time, every time?

Yes but much as I actually enjoy this tune, try doing it without a choir to lead the congregation... R

Hmm, it would be a first if there were, wouldn't it? R.

Peter See http://www.desktoplawyer.co.uk/dt/browse/l.../S75861-34108X/ which hopefully will clarify the position. I wouldn't like to go back to work if I didn't feel fit, especially if there were any risk to other people. R

Well I certainly didn't!!! R

Yes but presumably you didn't lick it (the spoon)? R.

Is that your response then?

Anyone else any bizarre experiences of the flu? Here in Bradford Diocese the use of the chalice is now also banned totally, as is taking the bread/wafer on the tongue. All this is because of swine flu. I suppose it makes sense really. R.

Most I ever did was five on Easter Saturday 1968 I think it was, and for good measure the last one was a double wedding - and double fee as I recall. Now we're lucky to get five a year! Ah well...c'est la vie. R

I recently learned of a case where the organist was asked if he would do a wedding for no fee; it turns out that the couple concerned had a price from the registry office and asked the vicar if it could be matched by the church. Vicar, ever keen to get these people through the door, came up with this as part of a 'package'... What would be your response? R.

Maybe the 26 feet is also merely a misprint that's just got repeated? R

Presumably using the grater pedal...

Presumably using the grater pedal...

Mr and Mrs Olone and Vi. Mr and Mrs Phone and Bary... Mr Flute and daughter Fern. Mr. Ross Ignol. Mr & Mrs. Estrina and daughter Sylv... And don't for get, with today's weather, the Swelter Pedal...

Mr and Mrs Offey and son Clyde... Mr and Mrs Quialtera and Cec(il)...

It's good to know that this organ is in safe hands. My last contact was 8 years ago singing as a bass soloist at the time with Midlands Chorale, and Michael Hart played for us (very well too). As I recall the solo tuba is enclosed, am I right? I played it briefly then and what an organ it is. Despite later changes it's unmistakeably Willis, and we can only hope that the present care of it remains. It may have been altered too much to get lottery funding, so as is too often the case good ongoing maintenance may the best that can be hoped for. R.

By the way, how prevalent is the habit of improvising BEFORE the last verse of a hymn to fill time for collection taking, processions ,etc? Is a relatively new idea - ie last 20 years??? I like it, I must say, but I'm not sure I could trust myself to get back to the dominant of X major without being unutterably boring, in the time available! Martin. I first came across it early in the 1980s in an Anglo-Catholic church I used to attend, and have myself been doing it ever since, when appropriate. I know a number of other players who now do it too. It needs quick thinking and good timing to get it just right! But if you can bring it off it's a very elegant solution to making the hymn fit the action. Suggestion - don't be too ambitious, make sure you can start the last verse when you need to - it's only 'wallpaper' after all! R.

Well, laugh if you will, but we did one of the Daquin Noels No 10. (yes I know it's not Christmas but nobody else knew it was unseasonal, but some had requested it). when I say 'we' I mean the interlude bits were done by two people playing recorders (the DoM and the director of a local choir) which echoed the organ in the repeats, and I did the loud bits on the organ. And most of the congregation stayed to listen. It went down a storm actually. R.

Thanks for that - assuming OR is the correct version it looks as if the C & O has two stops missing. At least I hope so, there's nothing else comparable, you can't even transfer the great reeds. How can this be confirmed, does anyone have a definitive source of the spec? R.

Looking at Nicholsons' ad for this organ in 'Choir & Organ' recently, it struck me as a bit odd that in a large scheme which unashamedly 'marks a return to the romantic English style' there doesn't appear to be a tuba, tromba, or big solo reed of any description. It's got just about everything else you could want. Is this really the case, and if so, does anyone know the thinking behind it? R.

And here I was looking at the calendar as I turned to a new page...