A KCOA event preceding his organ recital in Rochester Cathedral.

For 30 minutes, from 1800 to 1830 hrs, Charles will be interviewed in the Choir by our President, Stephen Banfield, about his experience studying at the Eastman School of Music and other matters technical and musical, and there will be time for one or two questions from the membership.

The recital follows at 1930 hrs. Here is the programme:

Introduction, Passacaglia and Fugue, Op. 149 - Healey Willan

We hope to visit both the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the two Cathedrals between the 10th and 14th March with an opportunity to visit Coventry Cathedral on the  return journey. Arrangements are at an early stage at present and will be confirmed later. However it is likely that travel and accommodation will need to be organised on an individual basis.

Don't miss this year's celebration, not forgetting the time-honoured raffle! Details and sign-up to follow nearer the time. This is just for members' diaries and those of any guest they might care to invite in due course.

Further details and invitation to participate to follow in due course. The church visit and choir practice will probably be preceded by a visit to another attraction in the Darent Valley, possibly Lullingston Roman Villa or the pub at Eynsford for lunch.

Details and invitation to contribute to follow in due course.

Member John Ross has kindly arranged this visit to two Eastbourne venues, Christ Church with its tonally unaltered 'Father' Willis organ, and his own home with its 4-manual Vincent Woodstock pipe organ, where we shall also have tea.

2.00 pm: Christ Church, Seaside

The 2-manual Willis organ (1880), with a most unusual case, retains its original action, including a Barker Lever! This instrument has recently been awarded an NPOR Historic Organ Certificate Grade II*.

https://npor.org.uk/survey/N15588

TIMETABLE

1.30 pm We have managed to arrange a visit to the magnificent 4-manual, mechanical-action Marcussen organ in the Chapel of St Augustine at Tonbridge School:

https://marcussen-son.dk/church-organs-1848/tonbridge-school-chapel-%c2%b7-england/?lang=en

We begin at Warehorne, a most picturesque village with a very fine church, at 2.00 pm. Kenardington, with its 1815 Thomas Elliot organ, follows at 3.00.

Note that Kenardington has an amazing early music series featuring performers of international standing. Here is the link to their 2023-4 programme:

https://ssemk.org

2.00 pm:  All Saints’ parish church, Lydd.  Parking available nearby (Coronation Square, the Rype etc). Modest 1880 Henry Willis organ with NPOR Historic Organ Certificate. Parts of Lydd church incorporate the fabric of a Roman basilica; the building is thus among the oldest sites of continuous Christian worship in England.

3.30 pm: St Nicholas's parish church, New Romney. Parking by chance in or around the main street. Details of organ to follow, or to be discovered on the day!

Followed by tea at New Romney.