IT was Cyril Diplock, organist at St Lawrence Parish Church for more than 45 years, who established the Alton Organ Society soon after the church organ had been rebuilt in 1966.

Sadly, he passed away on August 21 – 10 years after retiring and poignantly just six weeks before the start of the society’s 50th anniversary.

Cyril had continued to be closely associated with the organ society until recently.

There is no doubt that his foresight and enthusiasm upon which the organ society was built have enabled us to continue to host superb concerts year after year. Cyril will most definitely be in all our thoughts as we progress through this important year.

The society can boast that close on 400 organ concerts have been given on this fine instrument by recitalists of the highest international acclaim. It is reputed to be one of the longest-running organ societies in existence.

Dr Francis Jackson, who at the time was Organist & Master of the Choristers at York Minster, gave the society’s first concert in December 1966, and has played since on a number of occasions, including in 1996, the start of the 30th year of the society.

He performed again on November 9, 1999, and January 7, 2003.

Francis has kindly accepted our invitation to become a patron of the society and holds this respected position alongside Dr David Hill and Dame Gillian Weir DBE.

The late distinguished international concert organist and teacher David Sanger gave an annual concert at St Lawrence for well over 30 years.

He also most kindly agreed in 2000 to be the first patron of the society.

The Parish Church of St Lawrence Organ Society has established an extremely good reputation for organ concerts over the past 49 years.

Almost 400 top-class organists have visited Alton to demonstrate both their skills and the organ’s sound qualities to give countless members of the public the benefit of professional concerts of the highest standard.

The organ society holds eight monthly concerts every year from October through to May.

The society’s concerts begin at 8pm and refreshments are available after the concert with an opportunity to talk to the organist.