| 22 Organs and a Motor Bike! -
Friday
25th February 2005
Stuart Wilks, a former organ scholar at St Mary's Church Wivenhoe set
off from Wivenhoe on his Round Britain sponsored motor cycle ride to raise money for Leukaemia Research and the Lymphoma
Association, stopping at several churches and cathedrals along the way to play the organ.
His route will take him from north London, through Essex, up to Norfolk, on as far north as Fort William and then returning south via Belfast and south Wales, all over a period of 9 days.
His first stop was St Mary's Church Wivenhoe at 9.30am on Friday 25th February before
racing off to Norwich Roman Catholic Cathedral. He reached Sheffield
safely by Friday evening, having played at Lincoln on the way!
A small crowd of well-wishers were in attendance including Director
of Music Graham Wadley and Wivenhoe's Deputy Mayor, Cllr Tom Roberts to
help Stuart on his way.
Progress can be followed with a daily report and
pictures on www.organtour.org.uk link
to Diary and Photos.
A
goodly sum has already been raised in Wivenhoe for the two charities The
Lymphoma Association and Leukaemia Research but anyone else wishing to
donate should pass their contribution to Graham Wadley.
| Report:
Musical
Biker Raises Thousands for Cancer Charities
Motorcycling organist, Stuart Wilks completed a
tour of the British Isles, playing the organ and riding a motorbike
as he went last week. The 29 year old organist from London made
Wivenhoe his first stop outside London, as he headed off around the
country two weeks ago and spent over a week visiting twenty-two
churches and major cathedrals including Lincoln, Dunfermline, Thurso,
Glasgow, Belfast, Kilkenny, Swansea and Manchester.
The marathon ride and organ recital through
wind, rain, sunshine and snow raised a total of almost £4000 for
The Lymphoma Association and the Leukaemia Research Fund. Stuart,
who was a student at the University of Essex in the late 1990’s
returned to Colchester and was met by a crowd of local supporters,
including the deputy mayor of Wivenhoe and fellow organist, Graham
Wadley.
Stuart said “it’s good to be back, but now
I keep having to resist the urge to get on the bike and ride
somewhere to play the organ!” He hopes to repeat the experience
again, possibly next year, when Stuart hopes to try doing the tour
in the opposite direction for another charity. |
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Above: Stuart Wilks being assisted by Emily
Wadley
Below: 'The' motor-bike |
Above: Stuart playing the organ
(Photo: Tom Roberts)
Below: Setting off for Norwich RC Cathedral |
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Photographs by Graham Wadley and
Tom Roberts |
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