David, it would still be very much worth your while returning to Carshalton, if only for this:
http://www.npor.org.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch.cgi?Fn=Rsearch&rec_index=H00191 (http://www.npor.org.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch.cgi?Fn=Rsearch&rec_index=H00191)
The church is a real hotch-potch: the South aisle is the old medieval nave, the outer South aisle is Georgian (IIRC), and, in the 19th century, the North aisle, which was in the same sort of state that your house was in when you bought it, was demolished, and a new nave with arcades and clerestory built in the early Perpendicular style to designs by Arthur Blomfield. A new chancel was also built. Later, the church was refurbished under Ninian Comper, and gained an astonishing rood screen (with loft and figures) and an even more astonishing west end organ gallery and organ case... the organ is a very fine Willis I/III hybrid (restored this year by Willis). Well worth going to hear, if they have anything on. Even if they don't, the furnishings alone make it worth the visit...
Quote from: NonPlayingAnorak on November 10, 2010, 05:30:41 AM
David, it would still be very much worth your while returning to Carshalton, if only for this:
http://www.npor.org.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch.cgi?Fn=Rsearch&rec_index=H00191 (http://www.npor.org.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch.cgi?Fn=Rsearch&rec_index=H00191)
It would be great to revisit that organ again. It was indeed that instrument that probably inspired my personal passion for the instrument at around the age of 5 or 6. Perhaps you might enjoin the priest in the direction of this forum and keep us up to date on organ recitals.
Perhaps this pair of posts might usefully be transferred to "inspirational instruments". I'd urge anyone in south east England reading this forum to take an interest in that particular instrument. Andrew Freeman's identification of it to illustrate his book was justified.
Best wishes
David P