EXCLUSIVE by John Prince
The Archbishop of York paid a visit to Hornsea at the weekend to hold a special service, and to honour a local resident who is thought to be one of the longest-serving church organists in the country.
The Most Reverend Stephen Cottrell came to St Nicholas Church on Sunday to hold an Advent service and present an award to organist John Boxall. John, who is 98, has been playing the organ at the church for an incredible 75 years.
The former maths teacher started playing at St Nicholas when he was 18, after taking up the instrument as a 15-year-old boy. He is still actively involved in church life, and plays there every week.
Over the years, alongside weekly services, John has played at countless weddings, funerals, celebrations and concerts held in the church. He has also been a musical director with amateur dramatic groups, set up a junior opera society, and plays and rehearses with the church choir.
John said: “The church offered to give me free lessons when I was 18, so I went to learn at what was then Holy Trinity church in Hull, which is now the Minster. I learned for six years under a man called Norman Strafford.
“I was appointed as the official organist here on Advent Sunday in 1950, and I’ve been playing ever since. There is a lot to learn on a church organ, and it can be hard work sometimes. There are a lot of keys and pedals, and you really have to get to know it. I had a very good teacher who taught me a lot on a very big church organ, so I had a good grounding. I was very lucky and he put me in line.
“With playing the organ, the key thing is to get independence between the hands and the feet otherwise you can’t play proper organ music.
“My favourite hymn is Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending which is an Advent hymn. It’s a fine tune and very exuberant, and just nice to play.
“I’m going to carry on as long as I can, and I do a lot of walking which keeps me fit. My fingers are a bit stiff and I can’t play some of those flashy tunes I used to play. I just do my best. I have been very lucky. I’ve loved every minute.”
During the extended service on Sunday, the Archbishop of York delivered the sermon and gave communion, and led the prayers and hymns throughout the morning. It was part of the church’s patronal festival to mark St Nicholas Day which was on Saturday. Three new choristers were also appointed to the choir by Reverend Tina Minett Stevens.
Towards the end of the service Archbishop Cottrell, who is the second most senior cleric in the Church of England after the Archbishop of Canterbury, presented John with a long service award to a resounding round of applause from the congregation. It was in recognition of his dedication to the community and the church, and for the decades of commitment and hard work over the past three-quarters of a century.
Archbishop Cottrell said: “John has been the organist here for an amazing 75 years. It’s hard to imagine. There can’t be many organists in the world that have served longer than him. It’s incredibly special and significant, and John still plays so beautifully.
“It’s lovely to be in Hornsea. It’s a lovely place and it’s the first time I’ve been here on a Sunday morning. It’s been a great celebration. It’s the season of Advent and it’s Christmas in a few weeks, and of course it was St Nicholas Day who is the patron of this church so there’s been lots to celebrate.
“John has been such a big person in this community. He has been a teacher, and has supported the church through his music and just by being a quiet, unassuming, caring and thoroughly good human being. It’s inspiring to meet people like him who have used their gift in the service of others, which I think we’re all called to do.”
Reverend Tina Minett Stevens said: “It’s an amazing milestone and something we just have to celebrate. Very few organists do 20 years never mind 75, so it’s truly remarkable. John has done so much for the music in the church and the community. His week-in, week-out commitment to the choir and the music here at St Nicholas is outstanding. He is such a humble and self-effacing man. Truly he is a child of God, with that beautiful quality where nothing is any bother, yet he doesn’t want any fuss.
“We asked the Archbishop to come a year ago, so we’re very glad that he’s been able to fit us into his busy diary. It’s been very, very special and we feel very honoured and privileged that he’s been able to come today to celebrate with us.”
Churchgoer Paul Gadie said: “It’s brilliant because John has put so much time and effort into this church. He turns up every week and does his job and we love him. He is really well thought of here, and to have the Archbishop come down and honour him is just amazing. It doesn’t happen in Hornsea this sort of thing, so it’s very, very good. To have the choir here, and to see so many people coming today to worship has been lovely.”
Leonie Creswell, who is the director of St Nicholas Church choir, said: “It’s been an honour singing with John. There’s not many places left in the country, or even the world, where you’ve got someone who has been part of the church for quite so long. I’m really keen to keep our choir tradition going as long as possible, because he’s been such a huge part of the church as well as the community.
“There are people here today who have been involved in some part of John’s life. He’s been able to see new choristers being installed, so it’s very special. He never misses a thing and he always gives advice. He’s always been really encouraging which is lovely.
“Without John, we wouldn’t have had any of this music. He’s extraordinary.”