Just before Christmas ’06 the congregation at the 9 o’clock Mass discovered how much they had taken their organist for granted. John Elton has played the hymns and litany for years, formerly at St Paul’s, whose organ he so enjoyed, and then once “Our Lady, Mother of the Saviour” was built, he adapted to our electronic organ. John is well known in Chipperfield for his enthusiasm for making music and organising concerts. He is very much involved in arranging training courses for organists.
The disaster for John was that both eyes developed cataracts. Very rapidly his sight deteriorated until he was nearly blind. It was a horrible time of dependence for John, unable either to read or drive.
In January, one eye was operated on. There were complications and improvement is slow and incomplete. Only when this eye is recovered will the surgeon operate again.
Although we have enjoyed and been grateful for the playing of Anne and Louise who have kept us singing, we shall all be very happy to have John Elton back fully recovered.