BIOS Reporter

It was only as the last issue of the Reporter was going to press that we learned of the death of our Honorary President, Professor Peter Williams. Fortunately, just in time, our Editor Gordon Curtis was able to include a formal announcement alerting our members to this sad news. Since then there have been many obituaries and tributes in newspapers,… read more

With the 40th anniversary of the founding of BIOS in Cambridge in mind, it seemed timely to assemble from existing sources a list of Cambridge-based organ builders from the seventeenth century to the present day. Those included may not have spent the whole of their working lives in Cambridge but were resident at some point, and although the first in… read more

Although Leviticus charges us with celebrating 50-year Jubilees, and there was once a German tradition for celebrating 35 years (Handel, Bach, Goethe), the 40th anniversary of BIOS is not to be missed, as we look back to the original need for it, its inspiration, personnel, achievements and future… read more

The support of overseas members for the work of BIOS is greatly appreciated and it is always good to have contact with them. Although the total number may not be great, they are nevertheless drawn from an impressive spread of geographical locations indicating that, outside our own country as well as within, there continues to be a real interest in… read more

Following the advertisement in the April edition of the Reporter, and the plea for members to come forward and help with the day to day operations of running BIOS and the services we provide to the public, we are grateful to the three members who contacted us in connection with the post of Coordinator for the Historic Organs Listing Committee.… read more

Members are aware that there are currently a number of changes of personnel taking place. We are pleased to announce that our member David Shepherd has volunteered to serve as our new Membership Secretary when Melanie Plumley steps down this month. Council has agreed to put David’s name forward for nomination at the forthcoming AGM. David already acts as Membership… read more

As we move towards 2015, it is a good time to put a few notes into the Reporter about the work of the Listing Committee. As Chairman, I must express my thanks to Paul Joslin who, as Co-ordinator, has nurtured and master-minded the Historic Organ Certificate Scheme since its inception, with immense care and dedication. BIOS members, and many churches… read more

Since the most recent edition of the Reporter, two of our long-serving helpers have indicated that the time has come for them to step down from office. Melanie Plumley became our Membership Officer in 2002, later also combining this with the work of Publicity Officer. In these capacities she has been an invaluable member of the team for nearly a… read more

The summer is here and the birds are singing! I wonder how long until autumn arrives. In the summer there is always the temptation to enjoy the good weather and find an outdoor pursuit, but come November, when the thoughts of imminent Christmas Carol Concerts are foremost, it is time again to don the third jumper and fingerless gloves, to… read more

A few months ago, a member of the public sent the Secretary the picture on the front cover in the hope that a suitable home could be found for it. It was assumed that the picture should go to the British Organ Archive, however, the location of the organ and its builder was unknown, so an email exchange between BIOS… read more