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Video: Ketton man Bruce finds loving home for his mother’s electric organ
The son of a talented organist said he was “delighted” to be able to donate his mother’s beloved instrument to a village church.
Bruce Dilks, 68, of Mill Lane, Ketton, decided to give away his mother Betty’s electric organ to a school, church or music centre, as she could no longer play the instrument due to her deteriorating health.
The Yamaha AR80 had been sitting in a communal room at Whitefrairs care home, in St George’s Avenue, Stamford, ever since Betty, 90, left the home to move to Wood Grange Care Home in Bourne a year ago.
Betty was a keen pianist throughout her life ever since she learned to play the piano aged five. She was the pianist for her school in Derbyshire by the age of 14 and went on to play in pubs throughout the region, entertaining hundreds with her tunes.
Betty now suffers from dementia and has not been able to play the organ for a number of years.
Bruce offered the organ in a Mercury article, which was spotted by a friend of Lucy Marrable, organist for St Helen’s Church in Gumley, near Market Harborough.
Lucy contacted Bruce about the instrument and today (Tuesday) paid a visit to Whitefriars to try it out.
She said: “We have a pipe organ that is so old there are more notes that don’t work than do.
“I can’t tell you how excited I am about this organ. The whole congregation is thrilled because it is going to be unbelievable come Christmas.
“It will be treasured.”
Gumley is a small village of less than 100 residents, but its church enjoys strong support from the community.
Bruce was pleased to see the organ going to a good home.
He said: “I am delighted that it is going to go to a local church and that the community will benefit from it.
“It is exactly what I wanted and what my mother would want.”
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Weather for Stamford
Tuesday 21 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North
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Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 14 C
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