David pumps up the volume

The traditional job of hand-pumping the church organ at services was mostly consigned to history in the 1930s, with the advent of electricity. But at St John the Baptist Church in Shottesbrooke Park, Maidenhead, one man is still hard at work keeping the congregation on song in the old-fashioned way.

David Tubb began pumping the church organ at the 14th century church each Sunday when he was just 11 years old, and 52 years later he’s still there, having seen many organists come and go.

The historic 1904 Walker organ is a rarity in itself and still, David says, produces excellent accompaniment to hymns and worship. And, although a rebuild in recent years  means that it can be switched to electric mode if necessary, he is usually on hand to power the blower manually.

Is it a difficult art to learn?

David laughs: ‘Not really. It’s just a long piece of elm that needs a strong arm and strong back to get it moving. Thankfully I still have the strength, though my back isn’t what it was.’

Pencilled into the organ’s frame are the initials of his various predecessors at the church, dating back to the instrument’s earliest days. David admits that after so many years of service he has now added his own to the list.

And when he’s not keeping the music going, there are the duties of sidesman to attend to – another title David has held since he was a teenager.

Does he ever wish he could just sit in the congregation and let someone else do the work?

‘No,’ he says, ‘I like keeping the traditions going and preparing the church for the services. After doing it for so many years I know just how it should be. And, if I sat in the pews I’d have to sing, which I’m not so good at!’