All day visit to organs in Woodbridge and Orford

A handful of keen members of all ages began our all day visit to coastal Suffolk in the market town of Woodbridge, at the historic (and former Abbey) church of St Mary’s, Woodbridge. This impressive medieval flint church boasts a very good parish church choir to supplement its Anglo-Catholic liturgy, and St Mary’s is very fortunate to have recruited James Davy (formerly of Chelmsford Cathedral) as its Director of Music at the beginning of 2024. The organ was originally built in 1886 by Monk as a 3 manual and pedal instrument,
replacing an earlier gallery organ, and then reduced to 2 manuals and pedals by Bishops of Ipswich in 1976, with a detached console, with further additions by Bishop & Sons in 1989 (inc. Tuba, Clarinet, Pedal Bombarde). In 2005 – Bishop moved the console to its rather distant position in the East End of South Aisle as part of reordering of East End, when a Pedal 32ft Contra Bass added. James demonstrated the organ after which members had plenty of time to explore this fine instrument, which is currently undergoing restorative care work and tuning from Andrew Stevens.
A few minutes away was the beautiful village church of St Mary’s Parish Church, Great Bealings. Situated down a peaceful lane with fields and the river close by, this is an idyllic spot for a church. We were welcomed by the enthusiastic churchwarden who talked about the church and its history before unlocking the organ for us! This was one of those small instruments where “every stop counts” in the ensemble and makes a difference. Built in 1894 by the great northern builder, James Jepson Binns (or “Battleship Binns”) and untouched since, this superb little organ did everything you would expect it to and more. Despite only having 10 stops across 2 manuals and pedals (and nothing above 4 ft pitch) this organ more than comfortably filled the building from its West End position and was an absolute hidden gem to play, as those members who tried it soon discovered.
After an exceptionally good pub lunch at the Kings Head pub in Orford, we ventured a short walk to the parish church of St Bartholomew’s, Orford. Although the Director of Music Graeme Kay had joined us briefly over lunch, he was unable to be with us in the church, and we were pleased that the Organist Adrian Nicholson was able to host us there. The stunning 3 manual and pedal Classical style organ was originally built in 1977 by Peter Collins for Turner-Sims Concert Hall, Southampton University. Whilst there, it was an instrument which never settled properly to its surroundings. In 2019, after much discussion and wrangling between church and diocese, it was installed here by Cousans Organs, with some revoicing, and the original Brustwerk doors replaced with shutters and combination system upgraded. With 28 speaking stops it is very much in the North German style, but this does not limit what can be played on it to just that genre of repertoire. Everyone who played it thoroughly enjoyed its very responsive action, and soon discovered that the more inventive reached a wider range of additional colours possible from it. Clearly this time it has settled brilliantly into its new home. Along with excellent playing from Philip Prior, Jonathan Lilley, and Fay Hepworth, we were even treated to a Toccata & Fugue in D minor battle by members Chris Denney and Krystian Kaniecki, who had both chosen this infamous piece to play.
This was an excellent day’s playing in an area of Suffolk we have not visited before and our thanks to EOA President, Philip Prior, and James Davy for organising it so superbly for us.