William Sweetland -organ builder and maker of Musical Instruments; Architect; Painter; Furniture Maker and Stone Mason.

Opening Night of the Bath International Music Festival

Last night was the Opening Night of the Bath International Music Festival. Central URC was one of the six venues that hosted performances. Our six organists did a wonderful job and we had a steady stream of guests who showed up to see portions or the entire performance. Opening Night encourages people to circulate between the venues and sample the wide variety of music on offer. Since it is a free evening, tickets were not required and it was basically 'come and go' as you please.

Our Social Events Committee hosted the evening and insured that there would be an interval with tea and biscuits. We did take donations for our Organ Fund (for the next refurbishment) and for the Parkinson's Disease Society -one of our organists lives with Parkinson's. We raised approximately £750 ($1500 USD).

Angela Calvert-Jones the great-granddaughter of William Sweetland (the Organ builder), and John Jones the great, great grandson were in attendance. She presented the church with a self-portrait of William Sweetland. He was not only an organ builder but enjoyed painting. The organ was placed in Central URC in 1888.

I have included Sweetland's self-portrait. Rather Quakerish in appearance, don't you think?