John Budgen

[Martin Cooke]

Very sorry indeed to read an announcement on the British Pipe Organs Facebook site that John died yesterday. His is a name that I have known for much of my life through reading the standard organ journals and magazines, so it was a wonderful surprise to find that, when I retired, such a highly respected and renowned organ builder was looking after the local instrument. I met him on several occasions when he came to attend to it and looked forward to these opportunities to hear his wisdom and sense of humour and marvel at his agility. We all despaired of the instrument's many failings and complete lack of quality, and his final advice to us was not to spend any more money on it. Not all that long ago, he wrote a small book called An Organ Builder looks back which is well worth reading if you want to learn more about him and his work. I got my copy direct from John himself and I can't see other sources on line this morning. The organ world will feel his loss very keenly.

[pwhodges]

This is sad news.

As for his book, he published it through Ex-Libris Books, so although they don't list it as their own publication, it might be worth asking them if they can sell it.

Paul