AT LEAST £50,000 is needed to restore Holy Trinity Church’s organ.
To that end, a Organ Restoration Fund is being launched with a reception at Stratford Town Hall on Thursday March 30.
Richard Hartley, responsible for the organ restoration fund, explained: “The organ at Holy Trinity Church can be traced back to before the Reformation and we know that a new organ was built in 1731 for the cost of £50.
“Throughout the years, many changes, additions, and restorations have taken place, to ensure the organ is cared for and cherished. Fast forward to nearly three hundred years later and the organ continues to support the community and life events at Holy Trinity – both sacred and secular. It is part of the community.
“It is one of the finest instruments in the Midlands comparable with many cathedral organs and it produces a wonderful embracing sound. That sound is not as good as it was and like a thoroughbred car, it needs nourishing and servicing. The cost for this is upward of £50,000 and we need to raise the money by the end of 2023 to enable the careful restoration work to take place.”
A number of events will be taking place later in the year and a full list will be added to Holy Trinity’s website. The launch event will see drinks and canapes served in the Town Hall, with several prominent members of the community attending including Holy Trinity’s vicar Rev Patrick Taylor and Mayor Coun Gill Cleeve.
Information will be given to outline the importance of the restoration together with an auction of various prizes given by Stratford’s businesses.
There will also be a short piano presentation played by an up-and-coming Stratford young musician.
The launch event runs from 6pm until 8pm and tickets, costing £15, can be purchased at https://tickets.myiknowchurch.co.uk/gb/Mzc0OS0xNg/t
