“Organists join from all over
Kent County
To share in the Lord’s magnificent bounty
But whilst we talk of mixtures and reeds
Let’s remember those with greater needs”.
Derek Childs’ witty and thoughtful grace opened the proceedings at the President’s Dinner, held at Eastling Village Hall on 17th September. The formal arrangement of the tables with their attractive floral decorations created the right atmosphere for the occasion.
The food and wine were much enjoyed, as was the lively conversation, before our President, Mrs Barbara Childs, introduced the Guest of Honour, the Reverend Anthony Curry who was accompanied by his wife Anne. Mr and Mrs Curry had come over especially from Beaune in France, where they live for part of the year, to be with us.
As our President explained, Mr Curry is a man of many parts. He was a chorister at Canterbury Cathedral during the war and went on to become Organ Scholar at St Edmunds College, Oxford, before deciding to enter the priesthood. His last parish was at Brasted where we held our AGM in July. There he was responsible for the installation of the fine Walker organ, which we heard. As well as his work as a priest, Mr Curry is a teacher and conductor, an Associated Board Examiner, and an organist specialising in the music of Bach. During the course of this introduction Mr Curry was heard to say that the first and then the second page of his speech had been taken over!
However, in proposing the toast to the Kent County Organists' Association, this did not prevent him from telling many amusing anecdotes about himself and his busy life in France, where he is much in demand as an organist. One story, which we particularly enjoyed, was when he was asked to examine a young organist in a remote Welsh village. David, the student, duly arrived, the chapel was unlocked and a table set out for Mr Curry to use. When David was asked to play his first piece there was a pause before he said, “Would you mind pumping, please?” The telling on paper loses something without the lilting Welsh accent, which was employed.
In her response, the President outlined future plans and particularly mentioned the Organ Festival to be held on 20th May 2006. She encouraged members to support this innovative and important event, and to consider what can be done to ensure that organists are available in the future at parish and local level.
The evening was an auspicious start to our President's term of office, and we were delighted that Reg and Brenda Adams were able to join us. Our grateful thanks go to Vicky Shepherd who had made all the arrangements for the Dinner, and to the very efficient caterers.