This is an Appeal. Pardon me if I do not beat about the bush. But its not just any Appeal. This is an M&S Appeal (Music and Singing, that is.) Here at St. John’s, for what I think are very sensible reasons, we have for years made a deliberate policy of keeping a pipe Organ. But now the organ, originally built for the Methodist church in South Normanton in Derbyshire by Mr. Lloyd of Nottingham, and brought here by my gifted predecessor, Father Terry Short, after years of good service has developed expensive problems like, among other things, a split sound board which is making it impossible for anyone but a serious expert to play. I still want to encourage the parish to persevere, as a long term policy, with a pipe organ, But saving and raising the funds for its restoration is going to take years - especially in the present economic climate ! So as a shorter term plan to bridge the gap of variety in our church music, alongside the scout music group and piano, which have their place, but cannot sustain occasions of large congregational worship, I want to acquire a digital organ, to bridge the gap for the time it will take to raise the large fund to restore the Lloyd Organ properly, without crippling the church finances. A suitable one is available on eBay right now for about £4,500 Its an AHLBORN SL300 3 manual digital with 39 stops. (It has been relisted at a lower price, so this is a great time to get in an offer!!) In the sort of condition which means it is likely to last something over the five years the main appeal will take. And at that price is good value. It will mean raising £4,000, but very quickly. Will you help me do it, please? yours, just crazy enough to believe we can do this! Tony Luckcuck St. John’s Vicarage June 7th. 2010 PS. For details of how to donate to the interim fund, see below If we miss the immediate target, we will look for another similar instrument. If all else fails, the funds gathered by this appeal will be added to the Organ Restoration Fund. -------------------------------------------------------------------------