Joint Associations Event

Dear 

In February of 2017, The Church of The Ascension in Salford suffered a devastating arson attack which was widely broadcast on local and national news; our future was looking very bleak!  The church was destroyed: the brand-new roof had collapsed, and gas mains exploded causing even more damage; parts of the church had to be demolished for safety reasons. At this point, we thought that Salford would be losing a very valuable asset.  Thankfully, our prayers were heard and answered in the most profound way.

Jumping forward less than five years, and after extensive fund-raising, heritage grants and insurance money, we were able to rebuild the Ascension; like a phoenix, we have risen from those bleak ashes – we are almost a fully functional church.  As I speak, we are nearing the end of further work of the installation of a £250k pipe organ. It boasts 52 speaking stops over 3 manuals and pedals.  The pipes are in situ, the mobile console has arrived; within 6 weeks the project will be complete, and the organ will be fully functional by Easter.  The builder is the Nottingham based firm Henry Groves & Sons.  I believe that it will be the first Groves organ in Manchester and in-deed the North West, but I am sure, someone will happily correct me on that last point. (Organ Registration PDF)

I am contacting all organist associations in the North West to invite you all to a ‘joint association’ day; this event will take place September/October of this year; it may seem like an age away, but I can assure you, it will be here sooner than we think.  (A firm date will be arranged by Easter). 

Would your association be interested in joining us and other associations for this?

I have included a comprehensive specification for your perusal, and I look forward to hearing from you within the near future.

Yours, most sincerely,

…………………………………………………………………………………………

Anthony Williams

Organist.