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New pipe organ to mark hall’s 75th anniversary

Dr Glyn Jenkins, Dept of Music who played at the service and led the choir

Dr Glyn Jenkins, Dept of Music who played at the service and led the choir

The new pipe organ

The new pipe organ

The new pipe organ for Wills Hall

The new pipe organ for Wills Hall

Press release issued: 10 November 2008

Past and present members of one of Bristol University’s student halls of residence, Wills Hall, celebrated the arrival of a new pipe organ. The organ was given to the hall by members of the Wills Hall Association as a birthday present to mark its 75th anniversary.

Past and present members of one of Bristol University’s student halls of residence, Wills Hall, celebrated the arrival of a new pipe organ. The organ was given to the hall by members of the Wills Hall Association as a birthday present to mark its 75th anniversary.

The organ was dedicated in a service of Choral Evensong taken by the Dean of Bristol, The Very Reverend Robert Grimley on Saturday [1 November].  Following this a recital was given by David Bednall, a postgraduate in the University’s Department of Music, a sub-organist of Bristol Cathedral and a rising star in the organ world.

Chairman of the Wills Hall Association, Richard Cross said: “The organ was built in 1983 by the celebrated organ builder Peter Collins. It was installed in St Albans Abbey for the International Organ Festival that year and afterwards in the Christian Science Church, Clifton. Twenty-five years later, Mr Collins has rebuilt the organ in his Melton Mowbray workshop, adding four speaking stops and a case that complements the style of the Wills chapel.

“Former members of hall feel deep loyalty towards Wills. They wanted to give something back to a vibrant community where they enjoyed a very happy time in their lives. We are delighted to present a fine instrument by one of the country’s most distinguished organ builders. We hope that it will encourage Bristol’s talented students in their music-making and singing.”       

Sir Winston Churchill opened Wills Hall in 1929. It was the gift of brothers Sir George and Alderman Harry Wills. Its stone buildings, including the Romanesque Monica Wills Memorial Chapel, were designed by Bristol architect, Sir George Oatley, who also designed the Wills Memorial Tower.

Past members of Wills Hall include Sir Liam Donaldson, the Chief Medical Officer, The Lord Chilver FRS, engineer, Bob Marshall-Andrews QC MP, Bristol MP Stephen Williams, illusionist Derren Brown and the singer James Blunt.     

 

Further information

The Wills Hall Association keeps former residents of Wills Hall in contact with each other and with the Hall.
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