Recording of Organ Recital

14th April 2021

FoStJ has been formed by members of the community to assist  in maintaining and preserving the buildings and grounds of the magnificent Grade II listed Church of St Johns, for the ongoing benefit of the local Community as a whole.

Many of us in the past, and I have to confess to this, have taken the church for granted at times of Births Marriages and Death, or for comfort. We expect it to be there not always appreciating that someone, somehow, has to keep the facility well maintained and accessible for all.

Historically, Churches were the focal point for many activities, not just births, marriages and death.   
Markets, community meetings and gatherings would have been held in the church itself.
FoStJ would like St John’s to become a focus of ‘village’ life once again and seeks to encourage such activities as recitals, lectures, exhibitions and small markets within the Church and the St John’s Centre, and for the Church to be seen as a community asset for everyone.

This was our Charity’s launch event accompanied with fund raising for the restoration of our amazing 1881 William Hill Organ. Donations may be made after you have viewed the recital through our “Sponsor a Pipe” appeal at: www.fostj.org/appeal .

To help in the appreciation of the recital to follow, there is a short presentation, prepared by Gordon Farquharson our Secretary, on the History of the Organ and the extensive restoration work that has taken place for which the “Sponsor a Pipe” appeal has been launched. I would urge you to view this first so the capabilities of the Organ can be fully appreciated

Chris Shorter
Chairman FoStJ

I hope you found the History & detail of our amazing organ here at St.John’s interesting as it will help you to appreciate the skill that went into its building in 1881 and indeed the extensive work that has gone into its recent restoration

We are privileged on the evening to have with us Mark Shepherd, Director of Music at Charthouse School who kindly offered to demonstrate, through an eclectic mix of music, not only his skill but the amazing attributes and capability of our William Hill Organ. If I may, at the personal level, I would like  to dedicate the second piece in Mark’s recital, Elgar’s Nimrod, to the Memory of Prince Philip who sadly died on Friday 9th April.

Chris Shorter
Chairman FoStJ

If you enjoyed this Recital a donation to the Organ Appeal
would be very much appreciated
Just Click on card images below to Donate: