Saturday 13 November 2010

Organ Stops

I hesitate to rant about ecclesiastical inaccuracies in Radio programmes, since I did it once before and unfortunately the writer was deeply offended and mentioned me on his blog! [they confused Methodists and Quakers on “Hut 33”] but I am extremely annoyed with the writers of The Archers just lately.

ambridge

Phil Archer died a while ago, and the Vicar has asked his grand-daughter, Pip Archer, to play a piece on the organ at the Advent Service – the hymn that Phil loved and usually played. Here is Pip [Helen Monk]

helen monks- pip

 

and Phil & Jill

images

Now whilst this is a lovely idea for a plot-line, and everyone can get all misty eyed and feel sorry for Jill [all the support for grieving widows seems directed at Jolene lately] there is a big problem…

She has been asked to play the Advent hymn “Waiting for A Wonder” – and as far as I can ascertain this hymn does not exist!!

There is much debate on the Ambridge message board about it. I rarely read that, but I did this week, just to see if anyone there had heard of it. Someone even suggested it was “A modern thing from a happy-clappy church” and others pointed out that there is a book of Advent readings called Waiting for THE Wonder

wonder

But as to this non-existent hymn…someone should alert John Rutter, John Bell, or Stuart Townend, and see if they can put something together in the next fortnight! Otherwise poor Pip will have nothing to play – and silence is not usually a good thing on radio!

Back in the real world, Christmas Preparations move on apace round here – and I especially glad that my friend Floss is planning to repeat the “Pause In Advent” which she organised last year.

Pause in Advent Logo from Floss

Let’s not forget the reason for the season!

6 comments:

  1. I had no idea that the radio programme The Archers was still playing. I seem to remember it being on years ago here in radio land but sadly I don't know of any serials still going these days. Glad at least the BBC are still running this one. Very observant of you to pick up the mistake though Angela.I look forward to hearing which piece is played. Blessings!

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  2. Hmmm. I wonder (sorry) if they meant 'A Great and Mighty Wonder"?

    I think Waiting for a Wonder is a great title though, someone definitely ought to write it.

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  3. Oooops! It's not one I have ever heard of, but I'm sure that Stuart T could write something lovely!

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  4. I'm going to look at this book for next year's Preparing for Advent!!

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  5. Hooray for Floss!
    You are so funny, Angela!
    I wonder if I could find The Archers on Netflix. You've mentioned it before and I'm curious.

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  6. Thank you for the link! I have a lot of fun ahead, listening to the podcasts and trying to figure it all out. LOVE it!

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