3rd December 1954 SA

COUNTY DIARY By Wayfarer Norton Bridge Farmer Is Organist-on-Call

Farmer with a great interest in music is Mr. F. Toon, of Greenhill Farm, Norton Bridge, near Stone, formerly organist at Chebsey Church for 215 years, who now travels round the district on Sundays deputising at the organ of other churches.

At 24-hours notice, Mr. Toon played the organ at Sandon Church on Sunday. The Vicar, the Rev. W.B. Buckland, whose own organist is going abroad, telephoned him on Saturday morning, and Mr. Toon, who played at Sandon church services on several Sundays during August, agreed to deputise.

“Sandon has an exceptionally fine and modernised organ for a village and I enjoy playing it.” says Mr. Toon.

He has also played at Eccleshall, Muxton and Cotes Heath churches.

As well as providing an “emergency” organ-playing service for local vicars, Mr. Toon farms a 300-acre mixed farm.

His father was a well-known Staffordshire singer, and he and his wife, who is also musically-minded, belong to Eccleshall choral class, organised by the county education authority.

“Both my daughters sing a little and have had music lessons,” he adds.

© Successor rightsholder unknown. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD