A village is tuning up for a musical milestone.
Burythorpe, nestled at the foot of the Yorkshire Wolds, will mark 150 years of music from its cherished pipe organ with a special celebration concert on Saturday, October 3, at 3.30pm.
The organ, installed in 1876, has played an integral role in village life ever since.
A spokesman for St James’ Church said: “It has provided music for the countless christenings, weddings and funerals which have marked the most memorable occasions in many people's lives and for village carol services and harvest celebrations which can still fill our church with people ready to sing.”
The instrument has also accompanied Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, Easter Vigils and regular Sunday services for generations.
Before the arrival of electricity in 1991, powering the organ required the efforts of a designated "blower," who manually pumped the instrument throughout each service.
The spokesman said: “This involved sitting throughout a church service behind the organ holding onto the wooden pumping handle and then using all one's energy to pump it up and down regularly and speedily whenever the organist indicated that he wanted to play.
“And you had to keep going, or the music would just fade away – if the organ-blower failed to pump there could be no music.
“After the service the blower was rewarded for his or her work.
“In the early 1970s I think the going rate was half a crown or less in old money; by the 80s it was £1 and rising to £3 or even £5 for special occasions but by the 90s the organ blower was redundant.
“Electricity came to Burythorpe church and an organ blower was no longer needed.”
The organ’s long history has not been without drama.
Less than two decades after its installation, a fierce storm in December 1895 brought down the church’s bellcote, sending masonry crashing through the roof and damaging the organ.
A jumble sale, bazaar and concert raised the funds needed for repairs, which were completed by August 1896.
The organ was overhauled in 1991 when electricity finally arrived at the church, and was sent to York for a complete rebuild by Principal Pipe Organs under the supervision of renowned organ builder and organist Geoffrey Coffin.
Mr Coffin said: “The Burythorpe instrument has done wonderfully well to clock up 150 years of service.
“Aside from clocks, there aren't too many other forms of mechanical instrument whose life expectancy is so extended.”
He continues to visit annually to tune and maintain the organ, with additional visits for special occasions or emergencies.
The concert programme promises a family-friendly mix of music, with Mr Coffin himself set to perform alongside fellow musician Jill Shepherd, who will play the flute and bassoon.
Admission is free, with donations welcome.
The spokesman said: “Entry to the concert is free: it's a celebration to be enjoyed by all who can attend.
“There will be a plate for any donations people might like to give.
“There will be tea and very good cake in the church hall afterwards for all to enjoy.
“Welcome, to our Organ Celebration Concert.”
The concert is expected to draw a crowd from the village and surrounding areas, echoing the centenary recital in 1976, which was performed by Dr Francis Jackson, the internationally renowned organist of York Minster.
Organisers hope the event will inspire younger generations to take an interest in music and perhaps even consider learning a keyboard or orchestral instrument.