Martin Stafford (OS 1967), who now lives in Solihull, was in Ashton-under-Lyne on 15 June to look in on recording sessions for the new CD he has commissioned of organ music by Alec Rowley (1892-1958). Rowley was well known as a composer and broadcaster in his day but is now largely forgotten.

The recording was made at Albion Church by the distinguished South African organist Herman Jordaan on a fine four manual instrument built in 1895 by T.C. Lewis. The instrument was refurbished in 1953 by Rushworth and Dreaper – the Liverpool firm which had built the Hallam Hall organ two years earlier.

Martin has no practical musical skill (he failed O level music in 1965!) but has a long-standing interest in organs fostered in his school days at Stockport Grammar School by the late Tony Milledge (OS 1962).

Stockport Grammar School Governor Paul Carr (a friend since their school days) joined Martin and the recording team on that day.

The new CD will be released on Martin’s Ismeron label later this summer. Visit http://www.ismeron.co.uk/ to order.