THE ARCHBISHOP of Birmingham will visit a church in Little Malvern where the world famous composer Edward Elgar is buried this weekend.
Archbishop Bernand Longley will be at St Wulstan’s Church on Sunday, which is the patronal feast day of St Wulstan, at 10.30am.
The visit will mark the restoration of the church organ by Nicholson & Co, the Malvern company which originally built it around 1870.
The mechanical action has been completely restored, all leatherwork replaced, the soundboards and chests cleaned and overhauled, pipes cleaned and restored to their original speech.
The console and surrounding casework has also been restored.
A St Wulstan’s Church spokesperson said: “The organ tuner is currently in attendance every day.
“There are approximately 888 pipes and some are still to be installed but we are hopeful that the work will be completed for the service on Sunday, when the Archbishop will bless the organ at the beginning of Mass.”
The organ will be played by Dr Donald Hunt, former organist of Worcester Cathedral, who will also play at the end of Mass.
Afterwards, Father Edward Crouzet is inviting everyone to stay for coffee in the parish room.
Following the service Christmas cards created by Bill and Charlotte Carver will be on sale.
The cards, featuring one of the stained glass windows of the church, have sold nearly 10,000 copies.
The remaining Christmas Cards will be on sale this Sunday after Mass in the parish room and throughout the remainder of this month at the reduced price of £2.95.
There are also a limited number of cards available in gold or white frames for £5 each.
Visit www.christmascardsinaidofstwulstanschurch.com to preview and purchase the cards.
