Archbishop gives long service award to Dolwyddelan organist

Apr 14 2011 by Samantha Castle, North Wales Weekly News

A DEDICATED organist who has played the organ in her local parish for the past 70 years has received a special award from the Archbishop of Wales this week.

Georgina Jones, 88, from Dolwyddelan was presented with an engraved medallion in honour of her service to Dolwyddelan Parish Church.

In a special ceremony at Holy Trinity Church in Llandudno on Saturday, attended by friends and family, Georgina was presented with a commemorative Certificate of Long Service and an engraved medallion by the Archbishop of Wales for her devoted service.

“I started playing the organ at church when I was 17,” said Georgina.

“I first started playing at Sunday School when I was 13 and then went to play in my local church. I had to stop playing during the war, but for years, as long as I can remember, I was playing three services a day, as well as weddings, christenings and funerals.”

Georgina, who has lived in the village all her life, said: “I feel church attendance is as high today as it has ever been.

“I played at St Elizabeth Church from 1940 to 1948 but the church was over 100 years old and had to close. I played at the last service in December. I’ve been playing for 45 years here and during all my time as church organist I have been with ten different vicars, five of whom have sadly passed away.”

The widow, who has no children, said playing the organ was her life.

“It was a complete surprise hearing I was going to be given the award for my long service,” she said.

“During the service on Saturday I was overcome with emotion and at one point couldn’t carry on as I was so emotional. It was such a lovely service, one I shall never forget.”

Georgina added that she will continue playing the church organ for as long as she is physically able and that the steep walk to and from her house at the top of the village to the church three times a day is what has kept her fit and healthy all these years.

Other musicians recognised by the Archbishop for their talents and devoted service were Ruth Roberts, organist at Penmaen Priory Church, Anglesey, Nesta Hughes, organist at St Mary’s Tregarth, near Bangor, seven choristers of Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno, and four choristers of Bangor Cathedral.