[David_Underdown]

I suspect that this may not be news to all members of this forum

http://www.guardian.co.uk/religion/Story/0,,2029810,00.html
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David

[diapason8]

I live six miles away, and have played the organ there once for a service. It's a 3-manual Willis, but is, IMHO, of little merit. The console is badly positioned making it impossible to hear and judge the balance of the instrument. There is an appalling time lag in the action and the choruses lack any cohesion.

Regarding the Guardian article, it is generally understood locally that the Rector sacked the previous organist, Mr Drummond, last summer. Not surprisingly, nobody has applied for the post. A friend, who had sung in the choir, left last summer, as did many others. When I played there, last July (?), the choir were depleted, but still sang well.

This is something which relects poorly on the church and seems intractable. Certainly, it will deter anyone who was considering applying for the post!

N
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Advena ego sum in Terra

[diapason8]

It seems to be in most of the broadsheets today (with the exception of the Indy). The Times has really has a poke at the Rector

N
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Advena ego sum in Terra

[lancecornea]

Same old story as far as the C of E is concerned, I'm afraid.
I'm sure we've all been through situations like this at one time or another I am reminded of Nigel's epithet "Noli illegitimi carborundum" which loosely translates as "Never let the bastards grind you down"

This article referred to by Nigel is also worth reading, especially for the "Have your say" section at the end.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article1490242.ece

Lance
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The older I get, the better I was.

[diapason8]

The comments are interesting - not least, those from young people who are very contemptuous of the 'happy clappy' worship songs. I won't comment on the Times forum as I'm too close, geographically, to the 'scene of the crime'. I also play and train a choir regularly in one of the village churches in the Wellington benefice (but not, other than in a very titular regard, under Rev Randall). Local feeling, and the local press, is generally very supportive of the choir, and anti the Rector. There are newsagent's placards in the streets of the town proclaiming an 'Unholy Row' and the whole town is talking about the story. I wonder whether there will be an increase in the congregation tomorrow. I'll try to resist the temptation to attend evensong. As I so rarely worship there, it will be obvious why I went on that day

Interesting to see how it develops, but a great sadness over the desecration of the choral tradition in one of our very few parish churches to still retain a decent choir.

N
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Advena ego sum in Terra