All day visit to organs in the Southend area

Members travelled to the Southend area on Saturday 21st for a visit hosted by committee member Chris Denney and Nancy his wife. We started at St Clements, Leigh on Sea, which dates from 1460. The Director of Music, Rory Windass, showed us the organ and demonstrated it for us. Our second stop was at St Mary’s, Prittlewell, where there has been a church on site since Saxon times in the 7th century, the Norman nave dating back to the 11th century with later additions. Unfortunately they do not have a regular organist at the moment but Paul Mckay (Vicar) welcomed us and the 1916 Hill organ performed excellently, filling the church with some wonderful sounds as well as having beautiful flute tones. Bach, Finzi, Cozyn and others sounded very fresh and all members very much enjoyed this instrument. After an excellent lunch at The Saxon King, we proceeded to St Alban the Martyr, Westcliff on Sea where we were met by Trish (churchwarden) who supplied us with refreshments, and David Adkins who talked about the church and the organ and gave us a short demonstration. Thanks to all the lovely people who looked after us and to Chris Denney for organising this enjoyable day.