Scarrington St John of Beverley

Organ

Although an organ chamber had been built during the 1867 restoration of the church it took until 1879 to actually acquire an organ: a harmonium was used in the intervening period. The organ was by Gray and Davidson of London and cost £115 funded by contributions from the congregation. Reporting on the opening of the organ on 17 April 1879, the Nottingham Evening Post complained that ‘although it has a very soft, sweet tone, [it] lacks power, and was not heard to advantage.’

By 1902, however, the organ was considered to be ‘practically worn out’ and rather than spend a large amount of money repairing it the decision was made to buy a new one.

A memorial service was held on 29 June 1921 during which the organ was dedicated in memory of the Rev J Standish who was vicar of Scarrington with Aslockton for 33 years.

Two brass plaques on the right side of the currently disused organ read:

TO THE GLORY OF GOD
AND IN MEMORY OF
JOHN STANDISH
33 YEARS (1885·1918) VICAR OF
SCARRINGTON CUM ASLOCKTON
THIS ORGAN WAS ERECTED 1921

THE ORIGINAL ORGAN WAS
REPLACED BY THIS PRESENT
ORGAN IN 1958 WITH
FUNDS SPECIALLY RAISED
IN THE PARISH

A Casio Celviano digital piano is now in use.