**BRITISH INSTITUTE OF ORGAN STUDIES**
Registered Charity No: 283936
## **ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2024**
**Agenda and Reports to be presented at the Annual General Meeting to be held at the Welsh Church of Central London 30 Eastcastle Street, London W1W 8DJ**
**on**
**Saturday 18 May 2024 at 14.00 hours**
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**Annual Report for the period ended 31 December 2023**
The British Institute of Organ Studies, is registered with the Charity Commission (No 283936) and administered through the Hon Secretary at Ashcroft, 10 Ridgegate Close, Reigate, Surrey, RH2 0HT under its revised Constitution adopted at the Annual General Meeting in 2023).
The management of the Charity is carried out by a Council, comprising:
Chairman Dr Alan Thurlow (until 22 April 2023) Dr Nicholas Thistlethwaite (from 22 April 2023) Secretary Melvin Hughes Treasurer Adrian Mumford Membership David Shepherd Meetings Richard Hobson Publications Dr Katharine Pardee Casework Nigel Stark Other Members Gordon Curtis Christopher Gray (co-opted) Colin Menzies OBE Dr David Shuker Paul Tindall Mark Venning Dr Jeffrey West Jeffrey Williams
1. The aims of the Institute are:
- To promote objective, scholarly research into the history of the organ and its music in all its aspects, and, in particular, into the organ and its music in Britain;
- To conserve the sources and materials for the history of the organ in Britain, and to make them accessible to scholars;
- To work for the preservation and, where necessary, the faithful restoration of historic organs in Britain and to encourage their use and appreciation;
- To encourage an exchange of scholarship with similar bodies and individuals abroad, and to promote, in Britain, a greater appreciation of historical overseas schools of organ-building.
2. Details of the current financial position will be found in the Financial Report and Accounts. Reports from individual Officers and others are provided, describing details of the Institute’s activities during the year. Further information about the Institute is available at the BIOS Website:
www.bios.org.uk
3. Council is supported by a number of sub-committees as follows:
## **LISTING COMMITTEE**
## **Terms of Reference**
To receive applications, to consider and assess them and to make recommendations to BIOS Council for decision, within the agreed criteria and policy for the listing of historic pipe organs as laid down by BIOS Council, and otherwise deal with such routine matters on the subject of listing as may arise.
## **Membership**
John Rowntree - Chair Jeffrey Williams - Administrator Nicholas Thistlethwaite - BIOS Chairman ex-officio Nigel Stark - Casework
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Colin Menzies Matthew Hynes Andrew Hayden Dominic Gwynn Owen Woods David Wood
## **NPOR JOINT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE**
## **Terms of Reference**
To co-ordinate and monitor practical issues relating to the usage and management of the National Pipe Organ Register (NPOR) and to provide direction and oversight.
To report proceedings to the British Institute of Organ Studies (BIOS) Council.
## **Membership**
The Committee currently comprises the NPOR Manager and 5 members of BIOS viz Chairman, Secretary, one Member acting as NPOR link to Council, one Member offering specialist IT advice and the Webmaster. The 2023 Membership is recorded under Item 4.8 of the Agenda ‘National Pipe Organ Register’.
The Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Studies of the Royal College of Organists (RCO) receives papers and may attend JMC Meetings.
## **Background**
BIOS owns and maintains the NPOR which aims to record details of every pipe organ in the country.
It is made available to the public as an online resource free of charge.
Under a Service Level Agreement with the RCO, day-to -day management services are provided by the RCO Administration Manager.
Under a second and separate SLA, BIOS had contracted (through the RCO) for the services of eStirling to host and maintain the NPOR Website. This arrangement was terminated in 2023 and the NPOR server is now hosted by Codeveloped Ltd.
The BIOS NPOR Joint Management Committee is a joint body which normally meets twice yearly at venues in London.
The Chairman of BIOS acts as Chairman of the Committee whilst the Secretary of BIOS acts as Secretary.
Proceedings of the JMC are reported to BIOS Council by the NPOR link nominee which includes including any issues which need to be discussed and resolved.
## **BRITISH ORGAN ARCHIVE STEERING COMMITTEE**
## **Terms of Reference**
To discuss and co-ordinate practical issues relating to the usage and management of the collection and policy with regard to matters such as acquisitions and storage.
To report proceedings to BIOS Council.
## **Membership**
The Committee currently comprises two members representing the Cadbury Research Library (CRL) and four members of BIOS plus by invitation the Librarian of the Royal College of Organists. Membership during 2022 was
BIOS: Alan Thurlow (Chairman), Nicholas Thistlethwaite, David Knight, David Shuker
RCO: Andrew McCrea
CRL: Sue Worrall and Ivana Frlan
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**Background**
The British Organ Archive (BOA) is owned by BIOS and housed in the Cadbury Research Library at the University of Birmingham. The collection is professionally managed and curated by the staff of the Library.
The arrangement for the deposit of the Archive in the Library is governed by a signed agreement under which both parties reserve the right to give six months' notice of termination but in which the intention of the deposit is described on both sides as being 'for all time'.
The BIOS Organ Archive Steering Committee is a joint body which normally meets twice yearly at the Cadbury Library
The Chairman of BIOS acts as Chairman of the Committee and currently takes the minutes of its proceedings. The Chairman also reports on the proceedings to BIOS Council and highlights any issues which need to be discussed and resolved.
## **PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE**
## **Terms of Reference**
To oversee the publishing and commissioning of articles for the _Reporter_ and _Journal._
To deal with all practical matters pertaining thereto: liaising with RILM, subscribers (particularly with reference to digital copies), etc.
To handle reviews (via a Reviews Editor), appoint editors of the Journal, assist in appointing the Reporter Editor.
To handle special publications: vet the submitted material and prepare it for publication (editing the material, working with other volunteers, working with the book designer, handling ISBN numbers, legal Book depository submissions, commissioning reviews, liaising with author, and all other matters related to presenting and publishing a book).
To report proceedings to BIOS Council.
## **Membership**
Katharine Pardee (Chair), Nicholas Thistlethwaite and David Knight.
_Nicholas Thistlethwaite, Chairman May 2024 For and on behalf of the Council_
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## **AGENDA**
## **Annual General Meeting to be held at the Welsh Church of Central London (** _**Eglwys Gymraeg Canol Llundain**_ **), 30 Eastcastle Street, London W1W 8DJ on Saturday 18 May 2024 at 14.00**
_All members whose subscriptions have been duly paid are entitled to attend (free of charge) and to vote._
## 1. **Apologies**
## 2. **Minutes of Annual Meeting held on 22 April 2023 (** _**see pages 6 to 11**_ **)**
## 3. **Matters arising**
## 4. **Reports (** _**see pages 11 to 25**_ **)**
- 4.1 Chairman
- 4.2 Secretary
- 4.3 Treasurer
- 4.3.1 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023)
- 4.3.2 Appointment of an Independent Examiner
- 4.3.3 Subscription rates
- 4.4 Membership Secretary
- 4.5 Publications Officer
- 4.6 Meetings Officer
- 4.7 Publicity
- 4.8 Information Services: British Organ Archive (BOA); National Pipe Organ Register (NPOR); Historic Organs Sound Archive (HOSA); BIOS Website
- 4.9 Casework Officer
- 4.10 Committee for the Listing of Historic Organs
- 4.11 Historic Organs at Risk Register
- 4.12 Heritage Adviser.
## **5. Elections (** _**see pages 25 to 27)**_
The following appointments of Officers and Ordinary members of Council (to serve for terms of two years) should be made:
- Chairman
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Membership Secretary
- Meetings Officer
- 3 Ordinary Members of Council
## **6** . **Any other business**
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**AGENDA ITEM 1 - Apologies**
## **AGENDA ITEM 2 - Minutes of previous AGM**
## **Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held at Chelsea Old Church, 64 Cheyne Walk, London SW3 5LT on Saturday 22 April 2023 at 14.00 hours.**
The Chairman welcomed members to the Meeting.
34 Members were present.
The list of members who had died was read as follows: Robert J Baker, Dr David R Dibbs, Peter C W Taylor and Gordon A Viney MBE.
## **1. Apologies**
These were received from: Nigel Browne, Leslie Carrick-Smith, Dominic Gwynn, Mark Jameson, Henry Macey, Christopher Moore, John Norman, Margaret Phillips, Melanie Plumley, John Radford, John Rowntree, David Shuker and Jeffrey Williams.
## **2. Minutes**
The minutes of the Annual General Meeting held by Zoom Video Conferencing on Saturday 25 June 2022 were agreed.
## **3. Matters arising**
There were none.
## **4. Reports**
**4.1 Chairman’s Report:** The Chairman read his Report to the meeting (printed in the AGM booklet 2023). In summary, he noted that:
- At the end of last year, just when a more normal style of life was resuming, our planned 'live' AGM was once again scuppered, on that occasion by the inconvenience of train strikes. So far 2023 was proving to be the year when life has finally returned to normal.
- On the last Saturday of February, a goodly number of Members gathered in Birmingham for the Bernard Edmonds Research Conference. The Barber Institute of Fine Arts was still unable to host us but the alternative of the Organ Room in the new Birmingham Conservatoire proved a great success. It was a particular pleasure to be able to welcome our member Professor Matteo Malagoli, who had travelled specially from Reggio Emilia in Italy in order to read his paper about the organ built by the Englishman George Trice for St Mark's in Venice. .
- BIOS can take pride in the way that everything was kept going during this difficult period. It affected our ability to meet together, but far from being a period of stagnation we have seen important new initiatives, of which the successful redesigning of the NPOR, the opening up and updating of the Directory of British Organ Builders, and the launch of our new enterprise as the publisher of historical books have been at the forefront.
- Dr James Berrow's new book has sold so well that we have been able to place the order for a reprint, and this very week, thanks to the efforts of Dr Katharine Pardee and her Publications Team, has seen the launch of Nicholas Plumley's long awaited book on the history of the Walker firm.
- While on the subject of Publications, he could not move on without recording the enormous debt of gratitude that BIOS owes to John Brennan. Since our foundation in 1976 John has personally designed, printed and produced every volume - a total of 46 - in our series of annual Journals. Quite apart from the academic standard of the articles contained in each edition, John's demanding attention to the consistency of presentation and the quality of the printing and binding has resulted in a product of which we can justifiably feel very proud and which has been an important factor in establishing our reputation in the academic world.
- As Members will know, last autumn I made a very difficult decision: that I would not stand for re-election at this meeting. Being in the Chair of such a wonderful organisation as BIOS has been an honour and a real privilege. However, as I have always said, it's better to bow out when you still feel generally on top of things rather than when a peak has been passed.
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- The continuing success of BIOS relies as much as ever on the hard work and dedication of a very committed team, who have been a constant delight to work with. BIOS is a relatively small organisation with just over five hundred members. Around thirty of our members carry the burden of responsibility for our administration.
- Day-to-day administration is carried out by the Secretary, Treasurer and Membership Secretary, but in addition we have those involved in the specialised areas of the NPOR and Directory of British Organ Builders, Heritage, Casework, Publications, Listing of Organs, the At Risk Register, the Historic Organs Sound Archive, the Organ Archive, and - last but by no means least - Meetings of Members. BIOS could not function as it does without the contributions and dedicated work of those who fulfil these roles.
- During the year we have been pleased to welcome Nigel Stark to the team as our new Casework Officer, but we have still to locate a successor to Tim Gray, our NPOR Fund Coordinator, who steps down this year, as well as a successor for our outstanding Membership Secretary, David Shepherd, when he retires in a year's time. If any Member feels able to consider taking on one of these positions, do please let us know.
The Report was accepted by the Meeting.
**4.2 Secretary’s Report** : The Report included a summary of the current position on recommendations that arose from the 2022 Review of Governance carried out ‘internally’ but with an external assessor. While slightly tangential to the Review, it was recognised that various sections of the Constitution should be reviewed ( _see Agenda item 5_ ).
The Report was accepted by the Meeting.
## **4.3 Treasurer’s Report:**
4.3.1 _Presentation and approval of accounts for the period ended 31 December 2022:_ The _BIOS Annual Report and Financial Statements for the period ended 31 December 2022_ were printed in the AGM booklet. This was in the prescribed format under the _Charities Act 2011_ a format that had been adopted since 2010. The Independent Examiner, Jonathan Hunt FCA, present at the meeting, was thanked for his assistance by completing his examination of the accounts expeditiously.
4.3.2 _Financial Review of the Year & Statement of Financial Activities_ – Adrian Mumford (Treasurer) drew attention to a number of salient points:
- Income to Unrestricted Funds was strongly positive, comfortably covering day to day expenses. The most significant costs were the Journal and the Reporter both of which had increased during the year reflecting higher rates for postage and printing. There was a surplus of income (£23k) over expenditure (£19k) so that the reserve had grown to £106k which comfortably met the reserves policy and was covered amply by funds invested and money at the bank.
- Restricted Funds (3 in number) existed for the NPOR, Endowment and HOSA and Leffler. The NPOR was our most significant asset and this was the most active Restricted Fund recording directly attributable costs and income. The 90 individuals and Organists’ Associations that made donations during the year had all been thanked. The Fund was topped up by the (now) annual £2k from BIOS Unrestricted Funds and 2 separate grants from the GMC Trust totally £7k.
- The Endowment Fund promoted projects in line with the Aims of BIOS. Income to the Fund comprised income and sales of BIOS publications e.g .the Nicholson and Freeman books costs having been written-off in previous years. The Fund remained available to support significant projects e.g., the just published Walker book and other publications in preparation.
The Report and Accounts were accepted by the Meeting.
4.3.3 _Appointment of an Independent Examiner_ : The appointment of Jonathan Hunt as Independent Examiner for 2023 financial statements was approved by the Meeting.
4.3.4 _Subscription Rates_ : No changes were proposed.
## **4.4 Membership Secretary** :
## 4.4.1 David Shepherd’s Report was printed in the AGM booklet.
The Report was accepted by the Meeting.
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## **4.5 Publications:**
**4.5.1 Publications Officer** - Katie Pardee’s Report was printed in the AGM booklet. Katie Pardee drew attention to a number of points
- JBIOS 46 (2022) was John Brennan’s last Journal and profound thanks were due to him for giving BIOS such an impressive, professional face over the years BIOS has been in existence.
- thanks were due also to David Shuker, Doug Levey and John Norman for preparing and putting on the Website back issues of the Reporter to 2010. Work was continuing on bringing the Archive up to date.
The Report was accepted by the Meeting.
**4.5.2 BIOS Reporter Editor’s Report** – Gordon Curtis’s report was printed in the AGM booklet.
The President (Nicholas Thistlethwaite) thanked Gordon for his work on producing the Report which was always interesting, well written and of a high standard.
The Report was accepted by the Meeting.
## **4.6 Meetings Officer:**
**4.6.1** Richard Hobson’s Report was printed in the AGM booklet. The Chairman highlighted the 3 Meetings in 2022
- ‘ _Celestial Harmonists - Music and the Herschels’_ , Friday 30 September 2022 at The Museum of Bath Architecture in Bath, Somerset (the former Countess of Huntingdon's Chapel),
- ‘ _The Making of the English Organ’_ , Saturday 5 November 2022 at St Swithun’s Church, Church Street, Worcester, and,
- _The BIOS Lunch,_ Saturday 26 November 2022 at the Grosvenor Chapel, Mayfair, London W1
- The Report was accepted by the Meeting.
**4.7 Publicity** : Christopher Gray provided an Oral Report to the Meeting. Advertisements continued to be placed in ‘ _Choir and Organ’_ and ‘ _Organists’ Review’_ . Recently these had promoted the Nicholson book, going forward the Walker book would now be promoted.
The Report was accepted by the Meeting.
**4.8 Information Services:** The Chairman’s Report on the _British Organ Archive (“BOA”)_ , Mark Venning’s Report on the National Pipe Organ Register (“ _NPOR”,)_ Anne Page’s Report on the _Historic Organs Sound Archive (“HOSA”)_ , John Norman’s Report on the _BIOS Website_ and Melanie Plumley’s Report on social media were all printed in the AGM booklet. In discussion of these Reports, it was noted that:
- On the BOA, the Cadbury Research Library had now almost returned to the level of service it was previously able to provide. Pressure on space remained an issue although the Library would continue to accept the deposit of further papers relating to an existing holding. Two possibilities for freeing up space could be pursued.
- (1) County Archive collections did not seem to be so pressurised and various deposit of organ builders’ papers had been achieved: Peter Collins (Leicester), Nicholson and Lord (Worcester) and Osmond (Somerset) – there might be scope for further, and (2) a future project to digitise the N&B drawings so that the originals could be stored off-site
- On the NPOR, Mark Venning, as the Council member responsible for liaison with the National Pipe Organ Register, summarised his written report. He stated that the organisation is in good shape, and highlighted the valuable work done by the manager and volunteer editors.
- On HOSA, no new activity had taken place during 2022 but plans for new recordings on an ad hoc basis were in the pipeline
- On BIOS Website, there had been no major changes to the Website in the past year.
- On Social Media, both the Facebook page and Twitter feeds continued to grow often being followed be people who seemed not yet to be BIOS members. Suggestions for material to be included were welcome.
The Reports were accepted by the Meeting.
**4.9 Casework Officer:** Alan Thurlow, Melvin Hughes and Nigel Stark’s’ Report was printed in the AGM booklet. Nigel was thanked for taking on the Casework role during 2022.
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The Report was accepted by the Meeting.
**4.10 Committee for the Listing of Historic Organs:** John Rowntree had intended to attend the meeting but was indisposed.
No Report was therefore received.
**4.11 Historic Organs at Risk Register:** Jonathan Goodchild’s Report was printed in the AGM booklet. There were currently 8 organs on the Register.
The Report was accepted by the meeting.
**4.12 Heritage Adviser:** Jeffrey West’s Report was printed in the AGM booklet.
The Report was accepted by the meeting.
## **5. BIOS Constitution**
5.1. _1 BIOS CONSTITUTION - Proposed Changes:_ This document was made available to attendees. It set out the text of the current Constitution alongside a parallel text showing the proposed changes. Proposed updating includes achieving gender neutral language, allowing business to be transacted electronically, modernising the finance sections and achieving transparency for sub-committees. Changes include an increase to the elected term for Officers and Ordinary Members of Council to 3 years but did not propose to impose a limit on successive terms given the difficulties there have been in recruiting Officers and Ordinary Members. It also covered other minor tidying up.
5.1.2 Following discussion and subject to minor improvements to the drafting of Articles 7.7 and 13.2 the revised Constitution was approved by the Meeting.
## **6. Elections**
6.1 The following election of Officers and Ordinary Members of Council was set out in the Notice of the Meeting published in BIOS Reporter (February 2023): Chairman, Publications Officer and 2 Ordinary Members of Council.
6.2 Details of the nominations were set out in the AGM Booklet. Some context was provided concerning the nomination for Chairman. Council recognised that it was vital to the future of BIOS to secure the right candidate and discussions had taken place with someone who hopes to be available next year but is prevented by existing commitments from allowing their name to go forward at this stage. In these circumstances the President had agreed to be nominated as de facto acting Chairman but in the expectation that he will stand down after 12 months to permit another nomination to be brought forward next year.
6.3 Since only 1 nomination had been received for Chairman, 1 nomination for Casework Officer, 1 nomination for Publications Officer and 3 nominations for Ordinary Members of the Council where there were 3 vacancies, then, in accordance with the Constitution, the following elections were made:
**Chairman:** Nicholas Thistlethwaite (proposed by Melvin Hughes, seconded by Adrian Mumford);
_**[** Note: At this point the new Chairman assumed the Chair]_
**Casework Officer:** Nigel Stark (proposed by Matt Dixon, seconded by Melvin Hughes); **Publications Officer:** Katharine Pardee (proposed by David Ponsford, seconded by Melvin Hughes);
## **Ordinary Members of Council** :
- Paul Tindall (proposed by James Berrow, seconded by David Brookshaw);
- Mark Venning (proposed by Alan Thurlow, seconded by Colin Menzies);
- Jeffrey West (proposed by David Shuker, seconded by Nicholas Thistlethwaite).
## **7.**
## **Honorary Life Membership**
7.1 Council had resolved to present to the AGM a proposal to grant Honorary Life Membership to John Brennan and Dr Alan Thurlow. Citations in support of the proposal were set out in the AGM Booklet.
## _**John Brennan**_
7.2 Following a short introduction by Katharine Pardee as chair of the Publications Committee who thanked John Brennan for giving so much to this organisation, the President paid tribute to John Brennan. In summary, the main points were:
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- the Inaugural Meeting of BIOS on 31 July 1976 in the Erasmus Room at Queens’ College, Cambridge brought together a group of around 35 people, many of whom became closely involved with the promotion, development and administration of the Society in the coming years.
- outstanding for his lengthy service was John Brennan who published the first edition of the BIOS Journal in 1977 and all subsequent editions until finally relinquishing his (still) unofficial role as publisher to BIOS after completing the 46th issue in 2022.
- from the start, John set the highest standards for the design and layout of the Journal so that volume 1 and volume 46 are instantly recognisable as belonging to the same series.
- the result is more than 9000 pages recording and discussing aspects of organology, and truly fulfilling BIOS’s first aim ‘ _To promote objective, scholarly research into the history of the organ and its music in all its aspects, and, in particular, into the organ and its music in Britain’_ .
- BIOS owes John an enormous debt - he has enabled BIOS to place in the public domain a remarkable and unique resource casting light on an all-too-often neglected aspect of our musical heritage.
- in addition to his publications for BIOS, John has maintained a steady stream of books, monographs and music through Positif Press. All told, it amounts to an unparalleled contribution to the literature of the organ in Britain for which we and our successors must all be deeply grateful.
- we thank John deeply for his personal contribution which has enabled BIOS to disseminate the research amassed by scholars and performance specialists over almost half a century, and whilst we hope we continue to see him at BIOS events, we wish him a long (and active) retirement.
- 7.3 Katie then also paid tribute to John Brennan. In summary, the main points were:
- as Publications Officer, is had been her great privilege to work with John on a number of BIOS Journals. It was only years later as she delved more and more deeply into the book editing process for BIOS that I understood how much work—often mind-numbing—it actually is to turn an article into something publishable, and how much we all owe to John.
- a few BIOS members, current and former, had written to offer some words on this occasion viz
- “Had I been able to address the meeting I would have said something about John's patience and about his commitment to getting the thing right, and his pride in it” (Relf Clark)
- John ….has collaborated with me on the publication of a number of my books …… and I have always been in admiration of his artistry, knowledge and experience….. The results of his publications have been both attractive and meticulous and we have all had the great benefit of his many years of work on the BIOS Journal, which has been at the heart of what BIOS strives to do in educating and informing others about historic organs.” (Nick Plumley)
7.4 Katie Pardee concluded the Tribute by presenting John with a signed copy of Nicholas Plumley’s newly published ‘ _A History of J.W. Walker & Sons Ltd, Organ Builders_ ’ as a small token of thanks.
## _**Alan Thurlow**_
7.5 The President paid tribute to Alan Thurlow. In summary, the main points were:
- Dr Alan Thurlow was elected as Chairman of BIOS at the AGM held on 19 November 2011 in the Central Hall, Westminster. Despite being a quintessentially Anglican figure, he was unfazed by the Wesleyan context.
- Alongside his distinguished record as a cathedral musician, initially at Durham as SubOrganist, and then for 28 years as Organist of Chichester Cathedral, Alan has an outstanding record as an active member and (often) chairman of committees.
- Alan has done much more than chair meetings. As the citation accompanying his Honorary membership says, he has overseen and guided many significant improvements in BIOS’s public presence and service. These include the development and enhancement of the NPOR, the strengthening of the procedures for listing historic organs and the introduction of the Heritage at Risk register. Our publications operation has expanded with the issuing of the first volumes in an occasional series of BIOS monographs. We have continued to make representations in the appropriate quarters when heritage issues generally, and individual cases of heritage loss specifically, arise. Meanwhile, Alan has been very active on the British Organ Archive committee and has also encouraged us to think about ways of increasing the number of recordings available from the Historic Organs Sound Archive.
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- Having worked with all the previous Chairmen, I have a sense that the time Alan has devoted to the role (and I don’t use the word ‘devoted’ lightly) has been exceptional. His efficient and conscientious work on behalf of our society has ensured that it continues in robust health. Alan will be a hard act to follow, and we owe him an incalculable debt for his work over the last eleven years.
7.6 Following this tribute Dr Thurlow was presented with a framed Ackermann print (1814) of the interior of the chapel at Emmanuel College, Cambridge showing the organ installed there in the west gallery c.1676, possibly by Charles Quarles.
7.7 The Meeting agreed that John Brennan and Dr Alan Thurlow should be elected to the list of Honorary Life Members.
## **8. Any Other Business**
None.
## 9. **Close**
The Meeting closed at 13.15.
## **AGENDA ITEM 3 – MATTERS ARISING**
## **AGENDA ITEM 4 - REPORTS**
## **CHAIRMAN’S REPORT (Agenda Item 4.1)**
Members will be aware that when I undertook the role of Chairman at last year’s BIOS AGM it was on the understanding that I would hold the post for no longer than was necessary to identify a more permanent successor to Dr Alan Thurlow, who had served the society with such distinction for twelve years. In the May 2023 issue of the _BIOS Reporter_ I underlined the point by stating that, as a caretaker, I had no programme to unfold to members. That proved to be the case. Yet somehow the work of BIOS has continued in the hands of our many able officers, and to them I must extend my sincere gratitude on behalf of us all. A conference took place in Dorset including visits to the G.P. England organ in Blandford Forum, rebuilt by Hill & Son, and to Milton Abbey to hear the Gray & Davison organ; a second conference occurred more recently in Cambridge focusing upon the reconstructed Snetzler instrument in Peterhouse. Our regular publications have appeared, maintaining the standard of excellence to which we have become accustomed, and our occasional publications (notably the splendid studies of the organ-building Nicholsons and Walkers, respectively by James Berrow and Nicholas Plumley) have continued to sell well; other forthcoming publications are in the pipeline. The Listing Committee and the Joint Management Committee of the National Pipe Organ Register have continued their important work, making a major contribution to the recording and protection of our cultural heritage. Meanwhile, the British Organ Archive remains in the safe hands of the Cadbury Research Library at Birmingham University, and the Historic Organ Sound Archive is making plans for further recordings to add to the existing collection.
There have been some new initiatives. I commented in the _Reporter_ on our urgent need to recruit younger members – not to devalue the work that those of us in the (now) older generation have done over the last forty-eight years, but simply to express our anxiety that the work should go on in future years. This concern is widely shared by members of the Council who proposed that a Task Force should be created to ‘brainstorm’ ideas and fashion a vision of where BIOS might be in five, ten or twenty years’ time. This group of six Council members has met three times to discuss objectives and strategies for achieving them, and the plan is to draw all Council members into the discussion later this year. No doubt the outcomes will be presented to the membership.
Another initiative is one shared by all the principal organ-related societies, including the RCO, IBO, AIOA, RSCM, IAO and BIOS. At a meeting held in July last year, it was agreed that we all want to find ways of raising the profile of the organ and its makers and players. The suggestion is that an online ‘hub’ be created from which the websites of all these organisations can be accessed, and
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where information about forthcoming events organised by each body can be found. We also agreed that we should attempt to work more collaboratively, sharing events and overhauling our communications, not least (again) with the younger generation. This, I believe, will be a task for my successor to address, combined with the refreshment and up-dating of the BIOS website (something that is a little beyond your retiring Chairman’s area of expertise!).
Hence, despite my tenure really marking an interregnum, things have been stirring over the last twelve months, and I believe a start has been made on laying foundations for some important future developments. BIOS is (I believe) in good heart and good hands, and I thank you all for your support both for me, and for all our officers and Council members.
## _Nicholas Thistlethwaite_
_Chairman_
## **SECRETARY’S REPORT (Agenda Item 4.2)**
Council met 4 times during the year under review.
The Committee for the Listing of Historic Organs Committee met on three occasions.
The Joint Management Committees for the National Pipe Organ Register (NPOR) met twice during the year.
The Joint Steering Committee for the British Organ Archive (BOA) met twice during the year.
## _Melvin Hughes_
## **TREASURER (Agenda Item 4.3)**
## **(** _**See pages 13 to 16)**_
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## **The British Institute of Organ Studies Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023**
The British Institute of Organ Studies (Registered Charity number 283936) exists to advance the education of the public in and promote the study of and research into the development of the organ and its music in all aspects and, in particular, the development of the organ and its music in Britain and to publish the useful results of any research. Also, to promote the preservation and restoration of historic organs in Britain for the benefit of the public generally in the manner of an amenity society.
## **Council**
During the year the following served on the Council: Alan Thurlow (Chairman to 22 April) Nicholas Thislethwaite (Chairman from 22 April) Melvin Hughes (Secretary) Adrian Mumford (Treasurer) David Shepherd (Membership Secretary) Colin Menzies OBE (Listing Cttee member) Katharine Pardee (Publications Officer) Mark Venning (NPOR Link)
Richard Hobson (Meetings Officer) Christopher Gray (Publicity Officer) David Shuker (BOA Committee Member) Jeffrey Williams (Listing Cttee Co-ordinator) Gordon Curtis (‘BIOS Reporter’ Editor) Jeffrey West (Heritage Adviser) Paul Tindal (from 22 April)
The Council met four times during the year.
## **Independent Examiner**
Jonathan Hunt
## **Bankers**
CAF Bank (Charities’ Aid Foundation), Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent Nat West Bank, Durham
## **Investment manager**
CCLA Investment Management Ltd. 80 Cheapside, London EC2
## **Reserves Policy**
The trustees have reviewed the charity’s need for reserves in line with the guidance issued by the Charity Commission: they believe that it is prudent for the minimum level to be the equivalent of a 3-year moving average of annual subscription income. Additional designated reserves may be held from time to time when significant future events or projects are anticipated.
## **Financial Review of the Year**
Net incoming resources overall were strongly positive. Since 2014, expenditure for the National Pipe Organ Register (NPOR) has gone through a Restricted Fund relieving Unrestricted Funds which have consequently grown to £110,357 (2022: £106,512). This total comfortably meeting the Reserves Policy duly covered by funds invested (valued well above cost) and money at the bank. Reassuringly, membership numbers have remained essentially steady – with Gift Aid, they provide almost 80% of unrestricted income (noting that the year-to-year figures vary for reason that income is accounted for on a ‘received’ rather than an ‘accruals’ basis). Journal sales were much reduced in the year (hence lower income and expenditure) while the cost of the Reporter reflects higher rates for postage and printing. Council and committee costs have increased as all are face-to-face meetings rather than on Zoom, however, Conferences overall made a small surplus.
13
There are three Restricted Funds – HOSA (Historic Organs Sound Archive), Endowment (for special projects) and NPOR. Income to the Endowment Fund comprises investment income (£589) and sales of publications, in particular, books on Walker and Nicholson plus royalties. Costs associated with books are fully written off in the year incurred in line with custom and practise and with strong sales, the Endowment Fund has grown slightly to end the year at £36,229 (2022: £35,477) providing a strong position from which to support new publishing ventures. With attributable investment income, the HOSA account has grown to £8,150 (2022: £8,017).
The most active Restricted Fund is in respect of the NPOR, recording direct costs and income. Around 74 individuals (both members and non-member users) and Organists’ Associations made donations during the year all of whom have been thanked. This is down on the number of donors last year and well below a peak of around 140. A total of £7,312 was received in the year against £14,173 in 2022 when there was an exceptional grant of £7,000. However, the fund was topped up by the annual transfer of £2,000 from unrestricted funds so that the year-end balance was slightly ahead of last year at £16,533 (2022: £15,551). It is hoped that the number of Standing Orders may grow, even for modest amounts, helping to ensure a sustainable future income stream since the meeting of NPOR costs approaching £10,000 per annum will remain a challenge.
## **Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of the British Institute of Organ Studies**
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the British Institute of Organ Studies (the Trust) for the year ended 31 December 2023.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
The charity trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 (the Act).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## **Independent Examiner’s statement**
I have completed my examination.
To enable a proper understanding of the accounts, I draw your attention to Note 1 regarding the accounting for Members’ Subscriptions.
I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
1. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or
2. the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
3. the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
Subject to the matter mentioned above, I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Jonathan Hunt FCA London, dated 1 March 2024
14
## **British Institute of Organ Studies STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES**
## **for the year ended 31st December 2023**
|Notes
**Incoming Resources :**
Subscriptions
1
Sales
2
Investment Income
Conferences
3
Tax recovery on Gift Aid
Donations
_Total Incoming Resources_
**Resources Expended :**
BIOS Journal
Reporter
National Pipe Organ Register
British Organ Archive
Council & sub committees
HOLS and surveys
Bank charges
Conferences
3
Publicity and website
4
Insurance
Book and other costs
5
_Total Resources Expended_
**Net incoming resources**
Transfer of funds (to NPOR)
Balance brought forward
**Balance carried forward**|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**£**
**£**|**Total funds**
**2023**
**£**
17,007
11,080
2,750
2,610
3,460
7,312
**£44,219**
5,975
5,438
9,426
0
976
31
576
1,945
2,688
790
10,662
**£38,507**
5,712
165,557
**£171,269**|**Total funds**
**2022**
**£**|
|---|---|---|---|
||17,007
437
10,643
1,769
981
2,610
2,621
839
7,312|17,007
11,080
2,750
2,610
3,460
7,312|17,197
2,401
2,577
1,764
3,663
14,173|
||**£24,444**
**£19,775**|**£44,219**|**£41,775**|
||5,975
5,438
9,426
976
31
576
1,945
2,688
790
180
10,482|5,975
5,438
9,426
0
976
31
576
1,945
2,688
790
10,662|9,366
4,706
10,888
45
419
139
385
1,258
2,593
718
275|
||**£18,599**
**£19,908**|**£38,507**|**£30,792**|
||5,845
(133)
(2,000)
2,000
106,512
59,045|5,712
165,557|10,983
154,574|
||**£110,357**
**£60,912**|**£171,269**|**£165,557**|
## **BALANCE SHEET as at 31st December 2023**
|Notes
**Current Assets**
CCLA Investment Fund Units
6
Short term deposits and Cash at Bank
Short term creditors
Debtors and prepayments
7
**Net Assets**
**Funds**
Unrestricted General Funds
Restricted Funds
8
**Total Funds**
8|**2023**
55,000
114,213
(1,404)
3,460
**£171,269**
110,357
60,912
**£171,269**|**2022**|
|---|---|---|
||55,000
114,213
(1,404)
3,460|55,000
106,648
(518)
4,427|
||**£171,269**|**£165,557 **|
||110,357
60,912|106,512
59,045|
||**£171,269**|**£165,557**|
Approved on behalf of the Trustees by the Chairman, Nicholas Thistlethwaite: 20 January 2024
15
## **Notes to the Accounts**
## **1. Accounting Policy**
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with ‘Accounting & Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice,’ applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)). Accruals accounting is adopted except for subscriptions which are accounted for on a received/banked basis, a methodology that means receipts can include subscription income relating to a prior year and future year.
## **2. Sales**
Under Unrestricted Funds, this relates to sales of BIOS Journals, both current and back numbers, although lower than 2022 with corresponding lower direct cost. It also includes a small amount of commission on the sale of third-party publications – the webstore being used as a conduit for publications of interest to members and relevant to the charitable aims of BIOS – but mainly buoyant sales of books on Nicholson and Walker (£9,038), both already fully having covered their costs.
## **3. Conferences**
Conferences are budgeted to end up on the right side of break-even: including the AGM in Chelsea, there have been three in 2023 (the other two being the Birmingham Research Conferences and Blandford) which together made a modest surplus.
## **4. Publicity**
Publicity costs include £548 for website maintenance, and £2,140 for the cost of advertisements in related publications.
## **5. Book and other costs**
These relate to our annual subscription to the Heritage Alliance but mainly in Restricted Funds, an advance £3,000 payment for a publication and costs relating to sales of the Nicholson and Walker books.
## **6. Investments**
Charities Investment Fund Units held through CCLA are shown at cost. The gross dividend yield fell slightly to 2.75% (2022: 2.98%) although the market value strengthened by 9%, to close on 31 December 2023 at £93,375 (2022: £85,573) broadly in line with the overall stock market.
## **7. Short term debtors and creditors**
In debtors, £3,460 relates to tax recovery on Gift Aid (received January 2024). Creditors are for amounts owing in respect of third party sales and estimated book mailing costs due.
## **8. Funds**
Restricted Funds are those which are to be used in accordance with specific limitations set by the BIOS Council and analysed herewith:
|_Unrestricted Funds:_
_Restricted Funds:_
HOSA and Leffler
Endowment
NPOR
Total Funds|1/1/23
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
31/12/23|
|---|---|
||£106,512
£24,444
(£18,599)
(£2,000)
£110,357
£8,017
£133
£8,150
£35,477
£11,234
(£10,482)
£36,229
£15,551
£8,408
(£9,426)
£2,000
£16,533|
||**£165,557**
**£44,219**
**(£38,507)**
**£171,269**|
Funds are represented by pooled assets held as CCLA Investment Units, cash on deposit and at bank.
16
## **MEMBERSHIP REPORT (Agenda Item 4.4)**
As is customary, I must start by thanking those members who have made sure that their current year’s membership has been paid promptly, by whatever means is convenient to them. The renewal process is easy; subscriptions become due on January 1st in any calendar year, and can be paid by cheque, standing order, direct bank transfer, or via PayPal from the BIOS website.
Towards the end of 2023 I sent out a subscription reminder for the 2024 subscription, encouraging members to pay promptly. Although this took some time and effort, it resulted in a considerable number of early subscription payments, for which both I and the Treasurer were very grateful. Another reminder, this time to late-payers, was sent out by email and letter at the end of March this year. At present, (04/24) 24 outstanding 2024 subscriptions remain unpaid.
With the continuing tidy-up of the database having seen the removal from mailings of a number of ‘lapsed’ members, 496 BIOS members and institutions currently receive publications, 3 more than last year’s figure. During 2023, as is usual, a number of members moved from the ‘ordinary’ membership category to that for ‘retired’ members. We welcomed 25 new members during the whole of 2023, and, since the beginning of 2024 up to 15/04, another 6 have joined us. Since the last AGM list we were sorry to hear of the deaths of members Jonathan Holl, Alistair Dixon, Revd. Tony Newnham and John Emmerson.
I took over as Membership Secretary from Melanie Plumley in 2015, and have attempted for the last ten years to collect as many memberships as I could, whilst offending as few people as possible! I wish my successor every good fortune as he continues this task.
_David Shepherd Membership Secretary_
## **PUBLICATIONS OFFICER REPORT (Agenda Item 4.5)**
JBIOS vol 47, edited by Dr David Ponsford, was delivered to the membership in December 2023. This was the first issue of the Journal produced after the retirement of John Brennan, and thus was a joint effort forging new ground on the part of the publications team, which included myself, Dr Ponsford, and book designer Dr Julian Littlewood. JBIOS 48 is in the capable hands of Dr Andrew Hayden and should be mailed out in the autumn of 2024.
The Occasional Publications arm of BIOS has continued with increasing activity in the producing of books which meet the remit of BIOS. Nicholas Plumley's book on J W Walker was published at the time of the last AGM, and currently Gerald Sumner's important and authoritative book on CavailléColl in England is in process. I hope that it will be published within the year.
Also underway is a book marking the 50[th] year of BIOS, in 2026. Nicholas Thistlethwaite is in charge of that venture, and we can expect an important and comprehensive publication.
William McVicker's magisterial book on the Tonal Architecture and Music of the English Organ is also in the queue, and there are more after that.
Gordon Curtis has retired as Reporter editor after many years of producing a highly successful publication. I would like to record my special thanks to him for his work and skill in producing so many interesting and full issues. I am hugely grateful to David Shuker for taking over (again) as Reporter editor going forward. Discussions are underway about future directions of the Reporter, so do talk to David or me about any ideas you may have.
The Reporter is available in pdf form to anyone who would like it that way instead of in print. Please notify me by email if you prefer that method of delivery.
At this moment the Journal is not available as a pdf instead of print, but if members are interested in that I would like to hear from you.
_K. Pardee Publications Officer_
17
## **BIOS** _**Reporter**_ **Editor’s Report**
The usual pattern of publication was continued this year resulting in a total of 108 pages, which compares favourably with previous years. The approximate cost of production and mailing was £2.34 per copy and the print run was 520. Distribution of electronic copies of the Reporter is now available to members who have registered their preference with the Publications Officer.
The percentage of space occupied by the various items was approximately:
||**2023**|**(2022)**|
|---|---|---|
|Council business|26|(43)|
|Meeting reports|10|(5)|
|Members’ news and letters|8|(9)|
|Articles|38|(23)|
|Reviews|9|(10)|
|Future meetings|8|(7)|
|Web store advertisements|2|(3) -|
The online archive of past issues of the Reporter is gradually being brought up to date.
The editor is grateful to all those who have contributed copy for the Reporter and also to those who have supported its production in other ways throughout the past year.
The incoming editor would like to thank Gordon Curtis for all the work he has done over the past 10 years in maintaining a high standard of content in, and production of, the Reporter
## David Shuker
## **MEETINGS OFFICER REPORT (Agenda Item 4.6)**
The following meetings were held during 2023:
## **The Bernard Edmonds Research Conference The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Saturday 25th February 2023**
Attendance 40
Daniel Moult
Organ Studies at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the new Flentrop organ
- Godfrey Leung (organ)
- Nicolaus Bruhns (1665 – 1697) _Praeludium in E minor_
- John Norman
- The cut-up of pipes in voicing and how it affects the overall result in an instrument.
- Dr David Shuker
- ‘This unpleasant business is now settled’: The trials and tribulations of women organists in early Victorian England.
- Martin Renshaw
The Pugins, father and son, and the organ.
Dr Leonard Sanderman
The influences of Sir Joseph Barnby on English organ building
- Dr Matteo Malagoli
British organ building in St Mark’s Venice and William George Trice (1848 - 1920)
- Melvin Hughes Organs and Organists in 20th Century English Literature, 1900-1960.
- Margaret Phillips (organ)
- Closing Voluntary:
Johann Gottfried Walther - Variations on _Machs mit mir, Gott, nach deiner Güt_
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**Day Conference and AGM Chelsea Old Church Saturday 22[nd] April 2023** Attendance 36
## _The 2019 William Drake Ltd organ in Chelsea Old Church_
Andrew Macmillan, Organist of Chelsea Old Church talked about the history of the church and its organs, and demonstrate the new instrument.
## _What does a consultant do?_
Dr William McVicker talked about his role in the planning of the new instrument, and answer questions about its design and technical specification.
## _Carl Nielsen and ‘Commotio’_
## Christopher Herrick discussed Carl Nielsen’s major organ work and its significance.
BIOS’ new publication on J W Walker & Sons by Nicholas Plumley
Annual General Meeting of BIOS
Recital on the Drake organ by Christopher Herrick
Felix Mendelssohn - Sonata no. 5 in D op.65 no.5 Carl Nielsen - Commotio Op.58 Hans-André Stamm - Rapsodia alla Latina
## **Three Historic Organs in Dorset**
## **Friday 15[th] & Saturday 16[th] September 2023**
Attendance 18
## **Friday 16[th] September**
**WINTERBORNE STICKLAND** Organ by A Buckingham c.1825 installed in 2019
## **Recital by Margaret Phillips**
Overture in Samson George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) Voluntary from the Southgate manuscript: Largo John Stanley (1712-1786) Andante Peter Prelleur (?1705-1741) Allegro John Robinson (1682-1764) Voluntary in D minor/major Op. 6 No.1 Samuel Wesley (1766-1837) Variations on God save the King Charles Wesley (1757-1834)
## **Saturday 16[th] September 2023**
**BLANDFORD FORUM PARISH CHURCH** Organ by GP England 1794; rebuilt Hill 1867
## **Opening Voluntary – Margaret Phillips**
Voluntary in G major Op.7 no. 9 John Stanley (1712-1786) _Largo Staccato – Vivace_
Introduction - Richard Hobson
The England Family and the Blandford Organ - Paul Tindall
The present condition of the organ and its future - Richard Hobson
## **Demonstration – Richard Hobson**
Select Piece for the Organ in G (1777) John Keeble Voluntary op.1 no.5 in G major William Walond Three Short Pieces Samuel Wesley March in F (1873) John Henry Wallis
19
**MILTON ABBEY** Organ by Gray & Davison moved, restored and extended by John Budgen 1978
Milton Abbey House with Anne Lichfield
The Gray and Davison organ and the Renatus Harris case.
**Recital by Graham Scott (assistant Director of Music, Bryanston School)** Fantasia and Fugue in C minor (BWV 537) J S Bach (1685-1750) Psalm Prelude Set 2 No 2 Herbert Howells (1892-1983) Andante sostenuto (Symphonie Gothique) C M Widor (1844-1937) Fugue sur le carillon des heures de la cathedrale de Soissons Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986)
**Saturday 25[th] November THE GROSVENOR CHAPEL, MAYFAIR Lunch** Attendance 16
## _Richard Hobson_
## **PUBLICITY (Agenda Item 4.7)**
We have continued to advertise BIOS in relevant Journals, including Organists Review and Choir & Organ. We have focussed recently on advertising our publications, notably Nicholas Plumley’s _A History of J.W. Walker & Sons_ , and Jim Berrow’s _The making of an English organ builder_ on John Nicholson of Worcester. Online we continue to advertise the activities of BIOS including forthcoming conferences and study days.
## _Christopher Gray_
## **INFORMATION SERVICES: BOA/NPOR/HOSA/WEBSITE/SOCIAL MEDIA**
## **(Agenda Item 4.8)**
## **British Organ Archive**
The Joint Steering Committee of the British Organ Archive has met twice in the last twelve months in the Cadbury Research Library. We continue to be indebted to Ivana Frlan, archivist, for her interest in and care for the BOA material, and also to Susan Worrall who heads the department. Through her now deep knowledge of the collection, and her scrupulous maintenance of the handlist, Ms Frlan provides an exemplary service to potential researchers and readers, as well as informing the JSC of any concerns or problems.
The most significant accession in 2023-4 has been a further collection of papers belonging to the late Ralph Downes, gifted to the BOA following the death of his son, Professor Kerry Downes, whose executor (Professor Anthony Geraghty) contacted the BOA. This collection was conveyed to Birmingham by Dr Leonard Sanderman and a handlist has now been prepared by Ms Frlan.
Meetings of the JSC have been dominated by discussions relating to the challenges presented by the lack of further accommodation for future deposits of material. Three approaches to this have been considered. First, the conveyance to regional archive offices of organ-builders’ records relating to specific areas of the country; examples are small collections of archival material from Osmonds of Taunton and Nicholson of Worcester – these have now been transferred respectively to the Somerset and Worcester County Record Offices. Secondly, Dr David Shuker has commenced a review of the material held in the BOA to identify duplicate copies which could be weeded out, printed material that is readily available elsewhere, and other material that may on reflection not be sufficiently significant to justify retention in the Archive. It is recognised that any disposals need to be handled diplomatically, and the archivists have stressed that the original terms of the accessions must be clarified before anything is removed; nothing has, as yet, been disposed of. Thirdly, the JSC has begun to explore the cost of digitising manuscript material and placing the originals in deep storage (the RCO has adopted this practice for parts of its collection). If a researcher wishes to see the originals, it would be possible to retrieve them with due notice, though it would be necessary to
20
levy a charge for this service. An initial impression is that the costs of digitisation are not as high as had been feared, but it would still require significant expenditure over an extended period.
All these are matters that the JSC will continue to evaluate over the coming months, and recommendations will be made to the Council.
## _Nicholas Thistlethwaite_
## **National Pipe Organ Register**
_The National Pipe Organ Register is one of BIOS’s most important and far-reaching activities. It is owned by BIOS, and managed on our behalf by the Royal College of Organists. Its operation is overseen by a Joint Management Committee (JMC)* of both bodies, which meets twice a year._
The JMC met on 20[th] June and 6[th] December 2023.
1. **Editorial matters.** The processing of NPOR submissions by our team of editors continues to go well, under the management of the RCO’s Andrew Macintosh.
A very useful meeting of the editors was held in Cambridge on 10[th] May, by kind invitation of the Chairman.
2. **Finances.** In general the picture is similar to that of last year.
The cost of running the NPOR, its administration and website in 2023 was £9426 (2022: £9,280): this is BIOS’s largest recurring financial obligation. The NPOR Appeal meets most of this cost; an annual grant of £2,000 comes from BIOS funds.
As previously reported, the number of donations to the NPOR Appeal is significantly smaller than before the pandemic, and we are particularly grateful to those loyal users who continue to provide regular financial support through standing orders. More support would be very welcome: **if you use the NPOR regularly, please consider recognising its usefulness by taking out a standing order** unless you have already done so! This can easily be done via the website.
Following Tim Gray’s retirement as NPOR Appeal Co-ordinator, I am pleased to report that our indefatigable Treasurer, Adrian Mumford, has taken on this role. A renewal of the Appeal will need to be considered when the time is propitious.
3. **Website.** This year the JMC’s technical adviser, Matt Dixon, completed the first phase of a technical upgrade: the website was completely rewritten ‘behind the scenes’ in a modern programming language, which will improve security and open the way for future alterations and enhancement, as well as providing better navigation. Matt’s voluntary work in this specialised capacity is a great asset to the NPOR.
In October 2023 the contract for the hosting (provision and technical maintenance) of the NPOR website was moved by mutual agreement, and with the approval of BIOS Council, from the RCO’s provider eSterling to Codeveloped Ltd, an IT consultancy led by Matt Dixon. The hosting has thus been brought back ‘in-house’, as it was for many years during the reign of the NPOR’s founding father Mike Sayers.
4. **Directory of British Organ Builders (DBOB).** Paul Graham is making substantial progress with the task of updating the on-line Directory from c.1950 to the present day. So far he has processed 115 additions and updates of _Firm_ s, covering a wide range of companies from A to Y. With a further 153 entries (mostly updates) remaining for future attention, he has turned his attention to _Persons_ . A detailed preparatory list was reviewed by John Norman and Mark Venning for approval by the JMC in accordance with criteria agreed by Council.** Paul is now checking the information about 178 individuals before adding them to the Directory – a task he has already completed up to the letter H (87 entries).
Thanks to Matt Dixon, improvements have been made to the DBOB section of the NPOR website, making the explanatory text easier to navigate.
_Mark Venning (NPOR liaison)_
_[Footnotes overleaf]_
21
*Current JMC members: Nicholas Thistlethwaite (BIOS Chairman), Melvin Hughes (BIOS Secretary), Matt Dixon (BIOS technical adviser), John Norman (BIOS Webmaster), Mark Venning (BIOS Council, NPOR liaison), and Andrew Macintosh (RCO Manager).
** The original intention was that the DBOB should include all individuals engaged in British organ building. However, for the sake of practicality Council has agreed that organ builders qualifying for inclusion in the DBOB as ‘Persons’ post-1950 should be restricted to:
- a) Directors and senior managers of companies who have been actively involved in the craft of organ building; and
- b) Other individuals who have gained public recognition for significant activity in building, rebuilding or restoring organs, or as specialists in any particular branch of organ building (e.g. voicer, case designer).
_Note: In accordance with the above criteria, individuals solely engaged in tuning and maintenance (rather than organ building, rebuilding or restoration) are not normally included, though exceptions may be made in special circumstances._
## **Historic Organ Sound Archive**
All the existing recordings are now on the HOSA YouTube channel which now has 305 subscribers compared with 176 to April 2023. There have been 14,360 views in the period since April 2023 bringing the total to 27,260 since the channel started. As a guide to the collection the videos have been organized into 8 themed playlists. A series of new recordings featuring historic organs in and around Cambridge has started with the University organ in Great St Mary’s church played by Adam Field, organ scholar of Selwyn College. BIOS member Dr Julian Sale has kindly volunteered as sound recorder for the project. We hope to include the Snetzler organ in Clare College, the Sutton organ in Jesus College and the Binns organ in All Saints, Newmarket.
_Anne Page Curator of HOSA_
## **BIOS Website**
There have been no major changes to the BIOS website in the past year. The events sections been revived, post Covid, and remains an important channel of communication with members.
_**Webstore additions -**_ Nicholas Plumley’s book on the J.W.Walker firm has sold well.
_**Software problems**_ **-** We currently have a problem with online payment for BIOS events. Security concerns mean that, necessarily, many cooks are involved. Research is ongoing, as it is with a problem with the application form for Historic Listing.
## _**Webmaster**_
As reported to last year’s AGM, it is now time that BIOS found a new and younger webmaster.
## _John Norman_
## **Social Media Report**
This report covers Social Media for the 12 months to the end of December 2023. We continue to use Facebook and Twitter, now rebranded as X. The Facebook page can be viewed by anyone, even non-users of social media, by going to www.facebook.com/BritishInstituteofOrganStudies. The X (formerly Twitter) channel is at @tweetingBIOS. Posts on Twitter used to be visible on the home page of the BIOS website but the system rebrand also introduced technical changes that meant that is no longer possible. Exploratory discussions to bring together the management of BIOS social media and the website have reached no conclusions.
While the BIOS webpage focusses on BIOS events and business, the social media channels have a wider scope and although they routinely feature BIOS news, they often feature diverse events likely to be of interest to those who care about pipe organs. Commercial advertising is not encouraged and overtly commercial comments get removed, though such boundaries are not always easy to determine.
22
Both the Facebook page and X feeds continue to grow, often being followed by people who seem not yet to be BIOS members. In the 12 month period of this report our Twitter followers have grown in number by over 7% to 885 followers and Facebook following is 2419, an increase of almost 13%. The BIOS Social Media Manager has a similar role in the Society of Women Organists and where relevant, appropriate content is shared across the channels of both organisations.
X and Facebook have private messaging capabilities and when necessary, incoming content from these is forwarded to relevant BIOS Officers. Suggestions for material to be included in our social media feeds are welcome from all quarters as it is vital to have regular fresh content.
## _Melanie Plumley_
_*(BIOS Social Media Manager)_
## **CASEWORK OFFICER’S REPORT (Agenda Item 4.9)**
Casework advice and recommendations have been given for:
- Oxford St. Giles, new organ
- Adlington Hall, change of ownership. Preservation of historic instrument.
- Devoran Methodist. Disposal of organ
- Hidden Chapel, Conwy. Building converted to restaurant and B&B. A desire to preserve this Blackett & Howden organ in situ.
- URC Chapel, Princes Street, Norwich. Change of use. Possible removal of 1875 Father Willis, though altered. BIOS has raised objection.
- King Edward School, Bury. Refurbishment of existing organ on new site of West Suffolk College to be used as an arts venue with concert hall.
- St. Andrew's Thornhill Square. Desire to remove the organ due to church re-ordering, originally by J W Walker but very much altered.
- Keynsham Baptist Church. Desire to remove single manual Vowles organ.
- Leavesden Road Baptist Church Watford. Church closing. Organ for disposal.
- Crewkerne Baptist Church. Church closing. Organ for disposal.
- Tittleshall. Holdich 'barrel and finger' organ for disposal.
- Chesterton, St. Mary's. Martin & Coate organ of 1894 for disposal after consideration of economic restoration and the re-ordering of the church interior.
- St. Martin's Brighton. Church being sold for conversion into an indoor climbing school! The Hill organ has a grade 1 listing. New home being sought.
- Baptist Church, Swansea. Organ by Salter of Neath. Enquiry as to the historical significance of this. No entry in the NPOR. The organ is no longer used and is in poor condition. An electronic in now in use.
- Enquiry from Christopher Herrick regarding the sourcing of a secondhand organ for the Catholic church in Aarhus, Denmark.
- Immanuel Church Brentwood. Advice on possible disposal of organ.
- West Tofts now in South Pickenham Church. The church is disused and the important historic instrument, with its Sutton inspired case is decaying rapidly. A new home is being urgently sought for this before it is too late.
## _Nigel Stark_
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## **COMMITTEE FOR THE LISTING OF HISTORIC ORGANS**
The Committee has met on three occasions over the past year. The principal result of the meetings can be seen in the organs which the BIOS Council have approved for Listing. Details of these are published in the BIOS Reporter.
Other matters considered by the Committee have been whether or not it should recommend organs or associated people for Blue Plaques. It was agreed that this was not the function of the Committee. At present here is on-going discussion as to whether or not historic material within an organ should be eligible for listing.
The Committee continues to maintain a close working relationship with the Historic Organs at Risk Scheme.
I cannot stress sufficiently the care and thoughtfulness (and efficiency) of Jeffrey Williams, as Secretary, and to express my thanks, once again for the support, assiduity and expertise and sense of humour - of the Committee members - Dominic Gwynn, Dr Andrew Hayden, Matthew Hynes, Colin Menzies, David Wood, Owen Woods and Nigel Stark. The Committee has greatly benefitted from the presence and breadth of knowledge of the BIOS Chairman, Dr Nicholas Thistlethwaite, at recent meetings. It is also important recall the thoughtful and perceptive presence of Dr Alan Thurlow over past meetings – it has been invaluable and a great pleasure for the Committee.
A year ago, I commented that only a modest flow of applications for listing is received. I would again urge members, church officials and organ builders and their staff to propose organs for listing. Not all application may achieve listed status but the information submitted in such instances may also be of value to the NPOR, either as an entry or as additional material.
## _Dr John Rowntree_
_Chairman of the Committee for the Listing of Historic Organs_
## **HISTORIC ORGANS AT RISK REGISTER**
Since the last AGM, the organ at Parkstone, St Dunstan has been removed from the Register, following the removal of the organ to Witton, St Helen.
The organ in Devoran Methodist Chapel was added to the Register in March 2023.
There are currently eight organs on the Register:
|Place|Date added|Organ|NPOR|Listed|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Margate, Royal Sea
Bathing Hospital|September
2016|Willis 1888|N14623|Grade I|
|Cambridge, St
Andrew the Less|April 2017|c. 1856 Dawson, 1885
Miller.|N05165|Grade II|
|Devizes St Mary|June 2018|Sweetland 1855|N08432|HOCS|
|Tollington Park, St
Mark|June 2019|Gray & Davison
1849,1877-9|N16847|Grade II*|
|Ipswich, St
Clement’s
Congregational
Church|October
2019|Bishop & Son 1909|V00319|Grade II|
|Edge Hill, St
Mary/All Saints|September
2020|Bewsher and Fleetwood
1825-45|E00369|Grade I|
|Cornholme, St
Michael and all
Angels|September
2021|Conacher 1904|N10885|Grade II|
|Devoran Methodist
Chapel|March 2023|Hele 1986 and 1902|T00262|Grade II*|
_Jonathan Goodchild_
_Co-ordinator, Historic Organs at Risk Register_
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## **BIOS HERITAGE ADVISER (Agenda Item 4.12)**
In the reporting year there were no significant developments in the heritage sector affecting historic pipe organs, nor was any research received or commissioned by BIOS over the same period. While it is understood that the timetable for completing the revision of the Mission and Pastoral Measure has been revised to allow for further (internal) consultation, BIOS remains ready to engage in the discussion of formal proposals when invited to do so.
## _Jeffrey West_
## **AGENDA ITEM 5 – NOMINATIONS FOR OFFICER AND COUNCIL VACANCIES**
The following election of Officers and Ordinary Members of Council will be held:
- Chairman
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Meetings Officer
- Membership Secretary
- 3 Ordinary Members of Council
_The following Nominations have been received._
|
**Role**|
**Name**|
**Proposer**|
**Seconder**|
|---|---|---|---|
|**Chairman**|William McVicker|Nicholas
Thistlethwaite|Adrian Mumford|
|**Secretary**|Melvin Hughes|Alan Thurlow|Nicholas
Thistlethwaite|
|**Treasurer**|Adrian Mumford|Christopher Herrick|Giles Dimmock|
|**Membership**
**Secretary**|Stephen Alliss|David Shepherd|Nicholas
Thistlethwaite|
|**Meetings Officer**|Richard Hobson|Christopher L Bacon|Melvin Hughes|
|**Ordinary Member**
**of Council**|Christopher Gray|Richard Hird|Melvin Hughes|
|**Ordinary Member**
**of Council**|Leonard Sanderman|Nicholas
Thistlethwaite|William McVicker|
|**Ordinary Member**
**of Council**|Owen Woods|William McVicker|Andrew Scott|
## **Biographies**
## _**Chairman**_
**Dr William McVicker** is a professional organ consultant, Organ Curator at London’s Royal Festival Hall and professor of organology at the Royal Academy of Music where he was appointed an Honorary Research Fellow. William is an active church musician and recitalist and has given concerts across Europe and the UK, as well as in Nigeria, Singapore,
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Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand. His recordings include a top-selling CD for Classic FM. He served as Director of Music at St Barnabas, Dulwich for thirty-one years and is currently acting Director of Music at Bromley Parish Church.
William is Chairman of the Association of Independent Organ Advisers (AIOA), an Organs Adviser to the Diocese of Southwark, and a former organ adviser to the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England (CFCE). A patron of the Society of Women Organists, he is an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Musical Instrument Technology, and was elected Honorary Associate of the Royal Academy of Music.
In time for the Institute’s Golden Jubilee, William aims to publish a new, lavishly illustrated study of the tonal architecture of the English organ and its repertoire.
## _**Secretary**_
- _**Melvin Hughes**_ an MA in ‘Victorian Studies’ (with Distinction) from the University of London underpins a passion about everything Victorian: history, literature, art, buildings, music and organs. A ‘ _Survey of Organs and Organists in Victorian Literature’_ presented to the Oxford Organ Conference 2009 was published in expanded form in _JBIOS35._ He studied organ with Andrew Pearmain at St Clement, Eastcheap and Ian Curror at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea and holds the ARCO, LRSM and ARCM organ diplomas. He was Organist and Choirmaster at St Michael, Betchworth, Surrey for 26 years (a tenure rewarded with the installation of a new Kenneth Tickell organ in 2014). He now pilots a large, unaltered (and uncompleted) Hunter & Son organ of 1902 at St Matthew, Redhill. He was BIOS Meetings Officer for 7 years whilst becoming the fifth Secretary of BIOS in 2008, covering both roles for a number of years. He is one of the two Organ Advisers for the Diocese of Southwark and Chairman of his local Organists’ Association. Before retirement he was a civil servant by profession. In retirement he spends far too much time in opera houses.
## _**Treasurer**_
**Adrian Mumford** is Diocesan Organ Adviser for Guildford and the Church of England’s Diocese in Europe for which he served as Diocesan Secretary (CEO) for 20 years and as Hon. Precentor of Holy Trinity Cathedral, Gibraltar and Lay Canon in the Stall of St Cecilia. Adrian is now Clerk to a City Livery Company. He studied the organ with Christopher Herrick and Jonathan Rennert, gaining ARCM and FLCM diplomas. He read music at the University of Surrey, completed a Business Masters degree at Kingston University and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries. Adrian was organist at Lambeth Palace for 20 years, is Director of Music at Twickenham Parish Church, an avid consumer of opera and member of the Court of the Worshipful Company of Musicians. He has served as BIOS Treasurer since 2011.
## _**Membership Secretary**_
**Stephen Alliss** began his organ building career whilst still at school. An offer of summer holiday employment on a clean and overhaul at Central Methodist Church Chippenham was enough to spark an interest in the craft that keeps him fully occupied today. Saturdays spent as a note holder and school holidays working on other projects saw him through to the end of his formal education. Insufficient work to keep him fully engaged in organ building at this time led to a brief spell working on the railway until redundancy guided him back to the organ world. An aptitude for tuning proved to be a useful talent and he spent twenty seven years working as a sub contract tuner for M C Thompson Organ Builders before an online advert tempted him north and into the employment of Harrison & Harrison Ltd. After a brief spell as the Scotland tuner, the retirement of a colleague brought the offer to take over the Midlands round, which he has managed for the last fourteen years, rising to the role of Head Tuner for the firm during that time. He travels extensively caring for instruments both large and small and enjoys the job as much today as when he first started out forty years ago.
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## _**Meetings Officer**_
**Richard Hobson** was a chorister at Lichfield Cathedral under Richard Greening, a founding Council member of BIOS. The magnificent Lichfield Hill organ remains his favourite large romantic instrument. Organ lessons began at Sedbergh School with the late Alfred Champniss, another founding member of BIOS, and at Oxford he was organist of the Father Willis instrument at Wadham College. Richard returned to BIOS Council following retirement in 2012 after 36 years in secondary education, latterly as Director of Music at Merchant Taylors’ School, Northwood, where he played a Harrison organ of 1981 designed by Sam Clutton. He has been Organist of Grosvenor Chapel, Mayfair since 1981 where he had a hand in the designing of the 18th c English style organ by William Drake completed in 1991.
## _**Members of Council**_
**Christopher Gray** has spent much of his life promoting historic organs, the past thirty years of which he has been a professional organ builder, frequently writing articles and giving papers on matters relevant to organs. He is Director of Music at a major church in Leicester, and a Layclerk at a Midlands Cathedral. Outside of organs and church music, Chris also has interests in historic Domestic and Ecclesiastical Architecture, Antique Furniture Restoration, and running and restoring his Classic Cars. He is also an active member of his local Rotary Club, and enjoys spending time walking with his mad Schnauzer dog.
**Professor Leonard Sanderman** (1991-) teaches organ at the University of York and Leeds Conservatoire, alongside musicology. He is organ advisor to the CoE Diocese of Leeds, and works as Director of Music in the parish of Horbury with Horbury Bridge
He was Organ Scholar at Cheltenham College, Keble College, Oxford and Chichester Cathedral before working as Director of Music at St Wilfrid, Harrogate from 2014-2018. He is internationally active as organist, and has undertaken tours in Germany, The Netherlands, Israel, and the United States. He appeared live on BBC3, and recorded two solo organ CDs on the German label Harp in 2018 and 2020.
Leonard read Music at the University of Oxford, and completed a master’s degree at the University of York. His PhD research considered nineteenth-century Anglo-Catholic liturgical music in parish churches. He is a published author on English organ building and church music, and regularly presents at conferences. In 2019, he was awarded a British Research Council Fellowship at the Library of Congress. In 2023, he was awarded a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of York, focusing on historical organ restoration.
**Owen Woods** joined Harrison & Harrison (H&H) in 2015, spending time on a tuning round, on the bench, and in the drawing office before moving into production. He is now Projects Manager, responsible for all the firm’s organ building projects. Owen graduated in 2012 from the University of Cambridge with a master’s degree in mechanical engineering, after which he worked as an acoustic consultant. He was awarded Chartered Engineer status in 2019. Much of his free time is spent in the extensive H&H archives and he is currently working towards a PhD in the tonal history of the firm. Owen is a trustee of the Galpin Society and sits on the British Institute of Organ Studies Committee for the Listing of Historic Organs. He has been published in the BIOS Journal several times, as well as in other peer-reviewed journals and trade magazines. In a past life, he recorded two critically acclaimed albums of folk music.
## **AGENDA ITEM 6 - ANY OTHER BUSINESS**
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_The cover illustration is based on the Old Radnor case Copyright, British Institute of Organ Studies, 2015_
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