Kempston & Biddenham International Music Festival

ALL SAINTS CHURCH, Church End, Kempston (near Bedford), MK43 8RH
& ST JAMES CHURCH, Church End, Biddenham (near Bedford), MK40 4AS
April - July 2008

A series of concerts featuring outstanding international artists from Europe & the USA. The events take place at two of Bedfordshire's oldest historic parish churches more than 900 years old.

Full details: Kempston & Biddenham Festival Poster

Organ Recital - A Tribute to Mervyn Pestell

St. Mary's Church, Wootton, Bedfordshire
Saturday, June 7th, 7-30pm

Mervyn Pestell is well known to members of the RSCM in the St Alban's Diocese as he was a member of the local committee for several years. With the Wootton Church Choir he supported local choir festivals and the Diocesan Choir Festivals in the Abbey. This Organ Recital has been arranged as a tribute to Mervyn as he has now retired as Organist of Wootton Parish Church. Mervyn was appointed on Easter Day 1952 and has therefore completed 56 years as Organist and Choirmaster. He has been given the title of Organist and Choirmaster (Emeritus) so we hope he will still be available to play at times. Members of Wootton Church presented him with a garden bench, table and cheque at the Easter Day service at which the Bishop of Bedford preached.

The church also decided to honour Mervyn with this Organ Recital when the organ will be played by three members of the Bedfordshire Organists' Association, Keith Brown, Roger Lander and Roy Meek and also Graham Thorp the son of a former vicar who as a small boy was introduced to the organ by Mervyn.

Members of the RSCM are welcomed to join in this tribute to Mervyn.

Further details: John Robertson
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