A major restoration of one of England’s finest organs will be celebrated on Monday (July 5th) at All Saints Church in the Old Town

The concert will be given by the internationally renowned organist Gordon Stewart who has played in every All Saints concert series for the past 32 years. Last year’s concerts had to be cancelled because of the pandemic but Mr Stewart still gave an online performance to raise funds for the organ fund.

Monday’s concert includes music by Bach, Handel and Widor. Tickets are available on the door but seating is limited because of Covid restrictions and while the concert starts at 7.30pm early arrival is advised in order to guarantee entry to the concert.

The concert series follows a major restoration of the organ by BC Shepherd & Sons of Edgware, London who have thoroughly cleaned every pipe in the organ – last carried out over 50 years ago – and carried out vital repairs to damaged parts of the instrument including a major repair to the pedalboard to ensure that all moving parts are in top working condition.

The restoration – costing a little under £80,000 was made possible by the generosity of a bequest by the late Elizabeth Stevens and from profits made over the last 30 years from regular concert supporters.

The series will continue every Monday until August 30th. Full details about the organ and the concert series is online at the Old Town Parish websites https://oldtownparishhastings.org.uk/

Malcolm Lock, Director of Music at All Saints Church said: “I am particularly excited by this year’s concerts because some of the country’s leading organists will showcase our wonderful organ at its very best. Originally built by the legendary ‘Father’ Willis in 1878, we shall certainly be pulling out all the stops!”