Hillie2412

Another New Year Its 2020 Now I’ve been counting.   This is my 109 th New Year - I think that’s right, but you will forgive me if I’ve miscounted.   One get’s a little forgetful at such a grand old age! Not for me any celebration of fireworks, parties or radio, or even any singing of a well- known Scottish folk song;   no, my celebration is knowing that This Is The Year. In just 3 months’ time, off goes the electricity, (it was far less complicated when I was hand pumped by choristers) up goes the scaffolding, in comes My Gary and his team and the process of dismantling me and my lovely pipes begins.   They will be removing my keyboards, lifting out my reservoirs (Mr Gary had better remember they are a bit heavy) and turning this end of the north aisle into a repository.   All my smaller pipes will be taken downstairs, but I do know Mr Gary hopes the huge wooden diapason pipes, facing down the north aisle, can stay where they are.   My in...

A Promising Future? Well, dear friends, this year’s series of recitals by celebrity organists has started. I’ve already told you how exciting it is that organists with an international reputation have agreed to come and play in the Abbey.   How fantastic is this   -   little old me, waiting to be restored and completed, now looking forward to some of the finest organists in the world visiting and playing their music on me.   This will really put me and this wonderful ancient building well and truly on the map - as we should be. Enough of that, but it is now happening.   Just a few days ago, Mr Paul came and gave a fantastic concert.   He looks so young, yet so composed, which I suppose is what you’d expect of someone who is looking ahead to becoming Kings College Cambridge’s organ scholar.   His playing was terrific, and I have to say that I did (almost) manage to keep up with him and I did manage to behave myself for the whole time he w...