Fond farewell to 'muscial genius' on pipe organ

A TRUE Retford love story was celebrated last month, with an eclectic concert and music that ranged from Bohemian Rhapsody to Nessun Dorma.

- BY TED O'NEILL

Family and friends came together for a concert in tribute to a 'musical genius' and a couple who found happiness together in their seventies.

The audience at Retford Methodist Church had gathered to remember their much-loved organist John Carter, and his loving widow Christina was beaming with pride all the way through.

John William Carter was born on February 15, 1945 and grew up in Retford, where he began piano lessons at the age of nine.

However, to get his place at King Edward VI Grammar School, John's parents had to prioritise their expenditure and there were no more piano lessons.

As a little boy, going to Sunday School the sound of organ music would fill him with joy. In later years he wrote: "This was a long, long time ago, although that music still fills me with joy to this day!

"I had two full terms of which I excelled quickly, knowing that having the command of an ordinary piano is the segway to playing the fantastic and breath-taking pipe organ.

"It has been a dream come true that I have got to be an organist and choir-master for the last 60 years.