The partnership between Eric Dibben and his church organ
has lasted nearly 50 years.
"It's a grand organ. If I could take it home I would, but it wouldn't fit into my house."
Wendy Trevennor tells their story.

Eric Dibben can tell many stories about the organ.

Theirs is a partnership that has lasted nearly half a century - both man and organ arrived at the church within within three years of one another, and have been together ever since.

And Eric has a fund of stories about the organ, including a notebook of facts on its history.

Built by Bishop & Son of London, it was installed in a London church called St Peter's - history does not record eactly where - in 1932.

The church was destroyed by a direct bomb hit in 1944, and two years later the organ was spotted standing in the rubble by Mr George Smith of Rollestone Manor Farm. His sister Mrs Williams - Mr Smith's widow Netta still attends the church.

"The organ had been standing out in the weather for two years and was wet and mouldy," said Eric, "They bought it for £300 - and it cost £350 to get it to Shrewton."

Now the mighty organ has fallen silent until a new home can be found for it.

When the instrument was taken apart to be transported a skeleton was found inside, believed to be the man who worked the hand bellows that powered it.

The organ was soon converted to electricity, but has needed repairs after two ceilings fell on it over the years.

Now it stands silent as workmen prepare to start re-roofing the chapel in the first of three phases that will see the organ and other equipment stripped out and the interior re-built.

Eric and wife Margaret arrived in Shrewton in 1952, and Eric at once became the evening organist, taking over from Mrs Gladys Clifford.

A musician at six, he played for his first service at the age of seven and was brought up as a Methodist - Margaret has converted to Methodism since marrying him, 58 years ago.

The couple have three children and seven grandchildren.

At one point Eric, a farm worker, feared his organ-playing days were over when he severed three fingers on his right hand in a chopper-blower.

"They saved the fingers, but I have no feeling in them to this day," he said. "Mrs Chilcott came to help out, and for three months she played treble while I had to put my arm around her to do the bass notes and work the pedals."

Eric is filled with sadness over the organ's future. "It is too big, who would want it?" he asks.

Church members are still seeking a home for it.