James Davy made a welcome return to St Ia’s Parish Church for the latest of their Wednesday lunchtime recitals.

James, who is currently organist at Holbrook School, Suffolk, and former Director of Music at Chelmsford Cathedral, delighted a large audience with a programme of organ music ranging from the 17th century to the present day, and one that explored almost every possible range of tone and colour to be found on the St Ia 1907 Hele Organ.

James spoke informatively and entertainingly about his choice of programme, and fully endorsed the church’s efforts to secure the necessary funds to commission a full restorative clean and overhaul of the instrument, the first such scheme of work in over 30 years.

There was a retiring collection for the organ fund, and donations from the summer recitals to date have raised almost £500.

Jeffrey Williams, Director of Music at St Ia, explained that the church already has over half of the funds required, but needs to raise a further £15,000 for the work to go ahead. The hope is that this might be done in time for the organ’s 120th anniversary in 2027.

There will be two Wednesday recitals in August. The first of these will be on August 7 and will be given by Martin Palmer of Truro. The second will be on August 14 and will be something of a change, being a recital for flute and piano by mother and son duo Jenna Savage and Taylor Gover from Romsey in Hampshire.

Both recitals will commence at 13:15, and entry is free with a retiring collection for the St Ia Organ Fund.