February 2004 (Number 327) includes features on:

• Peter Collins and the organ of Trönö church - Brian Hick in conversation with Peter Collins about his controversial collaberative project with Allen, pictured right. Web link: Peter Collins.
• Carlo Curley describes his connection with the Trönö project.
• The Organs of Walsall - Peter Morris describes the organs of St Matthew's, St Thomas of Canterbury and Walsall Town Hall, as the organ world turns its focus on the West Midlands with the RCO's move to Birmingham. See below for more on St Thomas's organ.
• Matthew Copley Organ Design - Matthew Copley has been making waves in the British organbuilding world. From recent work such as his glass organ in Oxford (featured in Issue 325) to his latest project for St Mary's RC Cathedral, Edinburgh (a full specification is included), the article also covers earlier projects such as Potton Hall, the pipe shades of which are this issue's cover.
• Hereford Rebuild - Michael Sullivan describes the conservative rebuild plans by Harrison and Harrison at Hereford, supported by Heritage Lottery money.
• Guildford Cathedral - Stephen Farr talks to Brian Hick about developments at Guilford, including a new commission from David Briggs.
• St Mary at Hill - David Helmsley and David Baker write about the BIOS day conference held there in 2003.
• Historic English Organs on CD - Jo Huddleston has compiled a list of recordings of organs containing 18th century and earlier material. A couple of hyphens are missing in dates: please note that Gloucester's Harris material is from 1663-66, and the Merchant Taylor's Harris material is 1722-4.
• The Vineer Organ Library - Bill Vineer's substantial Canadian collection of organ-related books, journals and recordings.
• Gloucester Three Choirs - Andrew Nethsingha previews events at Gloucester this summer, and Robert Houssart describes the cathedral organ.
• Manfred Mann's Elgar - Brian Hick meets the popular musician and hears the story behind his acquisition of some early Elgar manuscripts and the recent release of those works on CD. Web extra: read Robert Matthew-Walker's review of the CD here.
• New Installations - the recent work by B.C. Shepherd & Sons at St Cuthbert's, Earls Court, Harrison and Harrison's work at St George's, Douglas, more on Willis' work at St Peter's, Ruthin, and the new instrument at Holy Trinity Blythburgh by Rodney Briscoe. Web links: Harrison and Harrison, Willis and Rodney Briscoe.
• John Sanders - obituaries by Bill Arminger and Donald Hunt.

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St Thomas of Canterbury, Walsall

An extract from Peter Morris' article this issue on the organs of Walsall.

The parish priest, Father Curtin, had a significant pools win and endowed the church handsomely. The Rieger organ was built in 1971 and installed in memory of Father Curtin's parents. It is in the northern corner of the west gallery of this resonant church and speaks with wonderful clarity into the building. The voicing of the whole organ is precisely what you would expect from the specification - bright, somewhat nasal tone with very forceful choruses and yet capable of delicate effects too.

Specification: St Thomas of Canterbury
Manual I Metallgedeckt Principal Sesquialter 12.17 Mixtur 22.26.29	8' 4' II III	Manual II Holzgedeckt Rohrflöte Principal Quintlein 1 1/3'	8' 4' 2' 1 1/3'
Pedal Subbass Subbass Pommer	16' 8' 4'