President: Philip Scriven, MA FRCO
Chairman: David Gumbley, email: Davidgumbley@msn.com
Secretary: Pam Strong 01543433368, email: Pamstrong5@aol.com
Treasurer: Miss Pat Neville, 01543 481195
Publicity: Mr Clive Smith, 07939 550408
Newsletter Editor: Trevor Smedley, 01543 319329, e-mail trevorsmedley@ntlworld.com

Contact

Contact the Secretary Pam Strong on 01543 433368 or e-mail Pamstrong5@aol.com

Membership benefits

Lichfield District Organists' Association (LDOA) was founded in 1926, but after being disbanded in 2002 it was reformed in May 2007, and had its first meeting at Little Aston Church. We are honoured to have Philip Scriven, Organist and Director of Music at Lichfield Cathedral as our President. Since 2007, our membership has trebled and we have recently commenced a recruitment drive to attract more new members. We currently have members from Lichfield, Sutton Coldfield, Burton-on-Trent, various other Staffordshire towns and villages, Walsall, as well as the northern suburbs of Birmingham.

The Association welcomes all those with an interest in the organ, its construction and its music, whether or not they play the instrument themselves. Our activities include our AGM, approximately bi-monthly visits to hear and play local organs from small instruments in rural churches to large instruments in local cathedrals and town halls, visits to organ builders, organ recitals by members, and an annual dinner.

Members also receive a bi-monthly newsletter, which covers details of recent visits and recitals, LDOA forthcoming events, other forthcoming organ recitals/events in the local area, featured organ from the local area, IAO news/events, members' news, as well as interesting articles on organs and organ music submitted by our members. The Association is also a good forum for contacts for members willing to deputise from time to time for services and weddings etc.

The LDOA is affiliated to the Incorporated Association of Organists. This enables our members to participate in all IAO activities, and entitles them to all the benefits and services provided by the IAO, as well as a reduced subscription rate for the IAO magazine Organists' Review.

How to join

Contact the Secretary Pam Strong on 01543 433368 or e-mail Pamstrong5@aol.com . The 2010 Subscription is unchanged at £10 for individuals and £15 for couples.

Recent visits

An enthralling visit to Nicholson's (organ builders) factory near Malvern, Worcestershire. Factory tour with MD Andrew Moyes, and chance to see the work in progress on the new organ being built by Nicholson for Llandaff Cathedral. Then on to Malvern Priory for a talk on the 4 manual Nicholson organ, and the opportunity to hear and play this magnificent instrument.

Saturday 25th April 2009

Visit to Trinity Methodist Church, Burton-on-Trent to hear and play the 3 manual 48-stop Hill organ. Then to the Parish Church of St Modwen, Burton-on-Trent to hear and play their Hill, Norman & Beard 3 manual organ. Finally, on to Repton to visit St Wystan's Church and to hear and play their 1998 2 manual 21-stop tracker action organ built by Peter Collins of Melton Mowbray.

Wednesday 1st July 2009

Visit hosted by Nigel Morris, Assistant Director of Music, to Birmingham's Catholic Cathedral of St Chad, to see and play the 3 manual 40-stop tracker action organ installed by Walker in 1993.

Saturday 19th September 2009

President's Evening — visit to Lichfield Cathedral. Hosted by our President Philip Scriven (Organist & Director of Music) for Evensong and to hear and have an opportunity to play the magnificent 4 manual Hill organ.

Saturday 24th October 2009

Visit to All Saints Church Four Oaks for a talk by resident organist Angela Sones, Director of Music, and an opportunity to play the 4 manual organ.

Forthcoming visits & events

Visit hosted by Borough Organist Peter Morris to Walsall Town Hall to hear and play the magnificent 1908 Nicholson & Lord 4 manual 73 stop organ. Then on to St Matthew's Church, Walsall - 4 manual 74 stop organ, originally built by Samuel Green in 1773.

Wednesday 3rd February 2010

Annual Dinner at The Old School House Restaurant, Weeford.

Saturday 6th March 2010

Visit to Darlaston Town Hall to play the virtually original 1903 Binns 3 manual organ.

Saturday 1st May 2010

Visit to The Guild Church of St Mary, Market Square, Lichfield following the completion of the rebuild of the 3 manual Nicholson and Lord organ.

Wednesday 30th June 2010

Vist to Emmanuel Church Wylde Green. Short talk by Richard Mason, Director of Music, and opportunity to play the 4 manual Willis organ.

Saturday 18th September 2010 (prov)

President's Evening at Lichfield Cathedral, hosted by our President Philip Scriven with Martyn Rawles and Cathy Lamb. 4 manual Hill organ, pictured below.

Saturday 23rd October 2010

Visit to Armitage Church to play the Samuel Green organ ex Lichfield Cathedral and then Hawkesyard Priory to play the 3 manual Gray & Davidson organ ex Eaton college.

Recent Newsletters

The Hill Organ of Lichfield Cathedral, where our President Philip Scriven is Organist and Director of Music.