Frindsbury & Strood All
Saints’ Church, Frindsbury stands high on a spur of
the
We were greeted at the church by Derek Barnard a local
historian of All Saints’. His dry sense of humour
carried us through a detailed talk as he pointed out the
most interesting features of this fine, originally
Following our talk we were given a résumé and
demonstration of the Forster & Andrews organ
by the organist John Wormell. The instrument was moved
from its chancel position and re-sited in the Nave in
1987 by Browne & Sons who also made some tonal
additions which included a mixture and a Trumpet in the
Swell and extensions on the Pedal enlarging it to four
stops from the original Bourdon 16ft. John delightfully
demonstrated the organ with music by Percy Whitlock and
Malcolm Archer, which together covered the full tonal
range of the instrument.
A good tea was provided for us at St. Nicholas’
Church, Strood where Andrew Cesana, our President, is
organist. We were provided with detailed specifications
and history of the organ, which has an interesting
pedigree. It was built originally by Wedlake of
Manchester in 1851 and some of the Great organ ranks
survive from this period; the Stopped Diapason 8ft is a
fine example. A major rebuild by J. W. Walker took place
in 1953 with a new console and electric action and
remains basically unchanged apart from a cleaning and
overhaul during the intervening years.
We were pleased to have detailed programmes for the Organ
Duo and Duet recital to be given by Andrew Cesana and
Michael Cooke. It included music by Wesley, Soler, Elgar,
Walton and an improvisation, Seven variations on a
French theme, by Andrew. This improvisation showed
the full tonal gamut of the organ although, regretfully,
the more delicate Wesley at the start of the programme,
lacked articulation and phrasing clarity. Although
Michael Cooke played a convincing Spanish piece on his
electronic keyboard we were not to hear the promised
Solemn Prelude ‘For the Fallen’ by Elgar
or Coronation March Orb and Sceptre by Walton. In
its place we heard a tape recording of a Spanish organ
played by Michael.
Considering it was Remembrance Sunday the following day
and that we had a good number of visitors from the Bromley
and Croydon Association, this proved a disappointment
at the end, of what had been, an enjoyable afternoon. |