Cathedral organ centenary brings family story home

A family connection stretching back more than a century is returning to the place where it all began as organ celebrations continue.

At Liverpool Cathedral, an exhibition marking 100 years of the Grand Organ remains open after a month of events celebrating the instrument's history and legacy.

The largest pipe organ in the UK has been at the centre of worship and music at the cathedral since its dedication in 1926 and will be the focus of a centenary recital later.

John Goss-Custard is the grandson of the original organist, said "it [the recital] will be nostalgia. It brings back memories," ahead of his visit to the cathedral.

John Goss-Custard, from Devon, is the grandson of Harry Goss-Custard, who served as Liverpool Cathedral's organist from 1917 to 1955 and helped design the Grand Organ.

His family ties to the cathedral run so deep that the eighty-four-year-old said he could remember watching the building take shape during visits to his grandfather's home across the road.

"It was about three-quarters built in the 1950s," he recalled.

Some of his fondest memories were of sitting inside the cathedral watching his grandfather perform.

"I remember going in to watch him play and being amazed at the amount of keyboards he played at the same time and all the pedals, with his feet whizzing at lightning speed," he said.

His grandfather's dedication to music continued away from the organ loft.

"At home in his armchair he would tap his fingers to keep them fit."

Despite growing up around one of the country's most celebrated instruments, John followed a different musical path.

"I didn't learn the organ," he said. "I learnt the bagpipes instead."

He took up the instrument at the age of 65 and played with a band until recently, while many of his grandchildren have also embraced music, playing instruments including guitars, drums and flutes.

A previous family pilgrimage to Liverpool in the 1990s saw relatives hire a bus and travel to the cathedral to meet current organist Prof Ian Tracey who is retiring, and show him scores written by Harry Goss-Custard.

Prof Tracey, who was appointed in 1980 as Britain's youngest cathedral organist, said he was "delighted" the celebrations were taking place documenting the history of this "iconic instrument" and the three organists, including Noel Rawsthorn, "who have presided for over a century".

Now he is preparing for another visit, looking forward to returning to the cathedral and seeing Prof Tracey again as the centenary celebrations draw to a close.

Liverpool Cathedral launched Organ October to mark 100 years since the dedication of the Grand Organ. The programme has included a free exhibition, talks and family activities celebrating the instrument and the people who have shaped its history.

The exhibition, which also recognises Professor Tracey's 46 years of service at the cathedral, continues in a reduced format until the end of the month.

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