An organist at a North Tyneside church has completed the latest stage of a unique bike ride to raise vital funds for an ambitious fundraising project.
Nigel Brown, who plays the historic Postill organ at St John’s Church, Killingworth, is cycling 1,000 miles across the UK in various stages this year, visiting nine other churches where Postill organs are present.
It’s part of a huge fundraising campaign to raise £600,000 which would re-model the North side of the church - and also help to restore the organ, constructed by the prolific organ builder Robert Postill in the 19th century, back to its former glory.
Here Nigel, who has named himself the 'Pedal Powered Pilgrim', talks about the latest stage of his journey - which will be his last of 2024. He looks forward to resuming in the New Year.
By Nigel Brown, published 13 September 2024
For this trip I used the sat nav function on my cycling computer - although it wasn't really needed for the run down to Killingworth. After playing (the organ) for the morning service (and a cup of tea and a biscuit) the congregation waved me off on my way to the foot tunnel. I stopped off at St Paul’s Jarrow then it was head down into the rain to Sunderland and followed the route to the Easington Cycle path. It was very quiet (I had expected a lot if people on it, but few were out in the rain and mist).
The state of the cycle paths deteriorated once past Sutton Colliery (including one small section across a field) but was pretty direct through Stockton and I stayed in a pub overnight in Eaglescliffe.
The following morning was overcast and I cycled hard until Stokesley, then eased off as I started the climb up to the North Yorkshire moors, but the views were obscured with cloud. I made it to Helmsley where a fortuitous stop for a cup of tea and a bacon buttie meant I missed a downpour, but was caught in one a little later on the road to Nunnington. Next was a steady climb through the Howardian hills followed by a fairly level run into York with the traffic getting busier. I had a very welcome series of cups of tea and a shower in the hotel.
In the morning I set out for Wheldrake, crossing a Grade 2 listed bridge just outside the village. The church is bright and spacious being Georgian (prominent boards for the commandments, creed and Lord’s prayer). No stained glass which I appreciated. The organ was in good shape with everything working and it gave me an idea of what Killingworth will sound like with its pedal stop fixed.
Sutton upon Derwent was only a couple of miles away. This was a one manual instrument with only one octave of pedal bourdon (with a full pedal board). Superb full chorus ideal for the Early English Organ music books.
The cycle back to York was a long a fairly busy road back to the A1079 and in to the city centre and having the cyclists privilege of going through Walmgate bar. I trundled to York Minster and sat
in the sunshine for a couple of hours prior to evening prayer - then off to the station for the train home after finding something to eat.
Thoughts on the way down were mainly about my impending retirement (in the spring) and what I will be doing with all that free time!
That will be the last run this year, mainly because I’ve run out of holiday! The remaining churches – Blacktoft (near Goole) Tuxford, Blenheim Palace chapel and Folkton (near Scarborough) will be visited once I’ve retired. There is also a rumour of a Postill organ in Germany which would be an interesting trip. To cycle all the way, my wife suggested crossing the North Sea on a pedallo – I think I’ll use the ferry!
Finally, many thanks to the Priest in charge of both churches, Jackie Doyle-Brett for welcome and a cup of tea and several biscuits and for Max Elliot (whose PhD researched the work of Robert Postill) for arranging contacts. For those interested, Max will be giving a talk on Robert Postill at St John’s Killingworth at 6pm on Saturday 28 September.
To support Nigel’s mission in aid of the church and organ refurbishments, click here
There is also a separate fund for the organ restoration fund here
EARLIER BLOGS
By Nigel Brown (published 10 July 2024)
An early start (at 5am) rewarded me with watching a hare run down the road in front of me and getting quite close to a roe deer as I meandered through back roads across to Stamfordham. Other wildlife included another hare, rabbits, bullfinches and oyster catchers. I crossed the Tyne at Corbridge and after passing through Hexham I climbed up into Allendale.
It was interesting to note the chimneys from the old lead industries - Allendale was clearly a lot less rural in years gone by. After a welcome stop at the ‘facilities’ at Allenheads it was a slow climb up the B6295 across to Weardale followed by a much faster descent to St John’s Chapel (with the wind now behind me) then another climb over to Teesdale – the road had a sign for cyclists warning the weather could be 'inclement' at the summit. A friendly cyclist whizzed past me on the way up to say only 650 metres to the top! The drop down was again fast and only a short run to the church. 
The welcome by the Church Warden was good – he was strimming the graveyard as they hadn’t been able to get the sheep in yet this year. The organ was unplayable having been out of action for years (last worked on / tuned in the 1930’s). His mother used to play it, now they use a portable keyboard for the monthly service. Very rural setting with only scattered farmhouses (and I dare say holiday lets) in the parish, it was beautiful in the sunshine, but generally the weather is less welcoming as it sits broadside on to the weather coming over the Pennines.
After that I whizzed down to High Force (aided by a good tailwind) and had a pleasant lunch (whilst being circled by a lady chaffinch and a coal tit who were willing me to leave lots of crumbs) followed by a wander to the waterfall which was lovely in the sunshine.
After that I headed on to Middleton-in-Teesdale with a good chat to another cyclist who then whizzed off ahead of me… The climb over to Stanhope was OK at first, but the wind picked up and it poured down half way across. Unfortunately, the only café I could find in Stanhope shut at 4pm, but they did serve me a welcome cup of tea as I arrived on the dot of 4pm.
By this stage I was tired and could not face the haul up the B6278 to the Waskerly Way (an old railway line which would have taken me all the way down to Blaydon). My son kindly picked me up, and I worked out I had done almost as much climbing as I did over the three days to Arbroath (2905 metres compared to 3005). Sunday was spent relaxing and I didn’t use the pedals much when playing for the morning service at Killingworth!
The thoughts on the day were mainly thanking God for the beauty of his creation, wondering what scars we will leave on the earth with present day industries and working through some issues (as a family we are clearing out parental houses). After the visit to the church, I thought and prayed about the issues facing rural parishes – what form will the church take in years to come?
Thank you to the churchwarden at St James the Less, Forest-in-Teesdale for the warm welcome and showing me the organ. Prayer would be welcome for the benefice as they are currently looking for a new vicar.
By Nigel Brown (published 27 June 2024)
This will be the nearest church to Killingworth, so (in theory at least) should be the easiest!
Apart from the bit between Morpeth and Seaton Burn, the run was mainly through urban areas as far as Chester-le-Street until I got onto the Hart-Haswell path at Shotton Colliery. The final bit of the journey via Castle Eden was ‘interesting’ on the pavement beside the A19 then onto a back road that turned into a mud track. But it must be said the mud track was preferable to the A19 pavement!
There was a D Day event at St Mary Magdalene, Hart (pictured left) and I was welcomed into the church with a hot drink and afternoon tea. There was a very interesting exhibition detailing the fate of all those killed in the two world wars. I thoroughly enjoyed myself having a little play, which seemed to be appreciated by the folk there. A fascinating place and well worth another visit to properly look at the Saxon stonework.
The journey back was OK, though having followed a very torturous route through Sunderland which landed me in Silksworth, I chickened out (having done 80 miles) and headed for Sunderla
nd station to get the train back to Morpeth.
The thoughts on this run where reflecting on the number of boarded up shops going through the former mining areas of Durham.
Thanks to the Revd Janet Burbury and most of all to the Church Warden and the lovely lady who gave me a large mug of tea at St Mary Magdalene, Hart.
The next installment will take Nigel over to Teesdale on 6 July.