Church appeals for people to ‘adopt a pipe’ in fundraising appeal to restore organ
More than 120 people gathered at St. Mary’s Church today to enjoy a cream tea and organ music – all for a good cause.
The event during Thatcham Festival is to lauch a campaign to raise funds to have the church organ refurbished. The organ has been in place since around 1860 and is in need of refurbishment and servicing to keep it going so that future generations can enjoy it. The church has already raised £60,000 of the estimated £160,000 needed for the restoration project can begin.
In addition to a traditional collection, the church is inviting people to “Adopt a Pipe’ in return for a donation.
Rev. Angela Brennan said: “This is a beautiful Victorian organ which is a rare beast and also a beast that is in the need of some refurbishment so we have recently lauched a project to restore it to its former glory and to shore it up for future generations to enjoy.”
Visitors listened to organ music while enjoying a tasty cream tea. One of the organists playing was Jenson Long (11) who began learning to play the organ less than a year ago.
To learn more about the church and how to adopt a pipe, please click here for details of how to contact St Marys Church
You can hear the radio report including Jensen playing the church organ by clicking the play button below.