Greetings Ben from a retired church organist in Greenwood Lake, New York USA! Thank you for that program, the scenery, and especially the organ music. You have a great sensitivity for playing these smaller pipe organs. I love hearing their simple pure tones. Every stop is unique and vitally important. Your selections fit that organ beautifully. We have so few such pipe organs in my area which is a mere 35 miles northwest of New York City. So many of our churches have chosen to opt for either electronic organs or praise bands. I imagine those praise bands are closer to the Thomas Hardy ideal of villagers coming together with their various talents, 'though highly amplified! I believe it is our great loss not to hear the wind as it sings through the pipes. It felt more "human" and alive than any electronic noise box. Thank you for sharing these churches and organs with us. Although close to the city, we are in an area with dairy farmland. It is not as peacefully historic as your Dorset village. Our village was settled by a lake which reminded early English settlers of your Lake Windermere. In fact, we have no "Main Street". Ours is called Windermere Avenue in honor of its sister across the pond. Thanks again for these programs. I hope you and your caravan have many fruitful miles together.
When Shapwick Church was first built, who could image that a thousand years later, a superb young organist would arrive in a motor car with collapsible caravan, camera and iPad and film himself on an electrified pipe organ, playing heavenly music by Bach, Alexandre Guilmant and Maurice Greene? God in his Heaven must surely be delighted.
EXCELLENT video Ben - one of my fave hymns - total blast !! we anglicans prefer it at rogation services in the springtime - when the seeds are scattered ??. . . . . also, ironically, ploughing seems to be a thing of the past. i made a ploughing video 12 years ago, and since then i have only seen one ploughed field.
Thanks so much, Ben, for another wonderful video with beautiful scenery, a stunning ancient church, and an old organ that you make sing with gorgeous, inspiring music! Blessings!
Congratulations Ben on obtaining your new camper! You have given me an entirely new persepective of cows. I am amazed that so many churches in your country are left unlocked and available for visitors to enter at any time. While some churches where I live operate in that fashion, the majority do not. But why not let them be open, considering that the church is meant to be a sanctuary? What a beautiful church you visited! I have been wondering as I watch you play many pipe organs which run on airflow: are all of these old-fashioned organs connected to electronically operated bellows nowadays? With my limited knowledge I don't know if there would be another way to pump air into an organ, other than a person manually operating the bellows. It is astounding and wonderful, if so, that so many churches have gone through the expense to get such modifications done to keep musicians playing these beautiful instruments! Exquisite playing as always; "We Plough the Fields and Scatter" is certainly one of the most beautiful hymns I have heard to be sung in the autumn. So thrilled to hear you play it!
I remember coming into the church on Sunday morning and realising that somebody had slept their overnight sometime through the week and had left the bar heaters on. That meant a hefty electricity bill. The key used to be broken off in the lock, but that is now been replaced. Also, there was no real toilet, except a hole in the ground which I had to use when I was pregnant...
Snap, I was in Dorset too last week when I visited the beautiful Netherbury church. I thought of you when I visually inspected its organ. Funny I too had a petrifying cow experience. The sound of their stampede has never left me! Thank you for another excellent video.
Welcome back! I hope you had a good holiday. We in Australia say always take your new caravan about an hour's drive away for your first trip. That way you're not half way around Australia before you realise what you've forgotten. Nothing like getting two hours up the road and your wife (me) realising that you're going inland and winter and you've forgotten a wRm blanket! Never mind... while we were shopping for a nice soft comfy mink style blanket, hubby bought a plug-in electric heater for when we've got electricity so that we don't need a noisy heat pump on at night. Because if it's -3 degrees at Orange, you don't want to be woken up by the heater defrosting itself every half hour! And I far prefer it to the gas heater, not that we haven't got proper ventilation! And it's a bar heater dressed up to look like one of your hot water heaters so it's nice and safe. I do not recommend taking anything old or anything with a 1000 watt power usage!
Thank you, Ben! I was on my way to work this Sunday afternoon, thoroughly depressed. Then this latest video of yours popped up on TH-cam. I clicked to watch, and what do you knoW? My depression was greatly eased upon watching the latest Ben Maton adventure. Thank you again, our musical friend! Dave Jacques Clinton, Michigan USA🇺🇸
Hullo Ben from the USA. Was born and raised in Preston,Dorset. The Norman church in Preston, would be a great place fir you to visit if you have time, 😊
Though far older than you, I would have loved that run of cows as I’m as country boy myself from the cattle nation of Texas. I would have undoubtedly come out unscathed and with a lot of new four legged friends. lol
Ben another fine evening listening to you and seeing your video. I have found it amazing how you are able to incorporate the mechanical sounds of these organs right into the music. It seems to be a part of the music! Thank you for blessing this Ben from the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee 😊
What gloriously colourful kneelers!Someone is very skillful at embroidery at that church. I think that encouraging the congregation to kneel at the appropriate points gives for much greater reverence during the liturgy.
I love that you can see all the smaller pipes behind the large ones. Our organ in New Zealand had 330 pipes, but they were all hidden behind the big ones. I'd love to have been able to see them all. When we did senior citizen services, we all sat in front of the organ. I only did that once! Too loud!
We lived on a sheep farm which had a few cows and we raised a few steers. This was in New Zealand and therefore it was very hilly. There was a bit of top dressing going on and the steers we're in a paddock right next to the airstrip on the side of a hill. We were working on a Ridge just past the airstrip. Now a top dressing plane can land on the side of a hill with no sound at all, but needs everything it's got to take off when fully loaded. Meaning that it's wheels were about waist height as it came across the ridge we were on. Finally the steers had had enough, and as we were driving back in an old Land Cruiser, and the top dresser was taking off again, the steers just burst through the lower fence as if the posts were matchsticks. I was in the Land Cruiser, the top dresser went straight over the top of us and it was as loud as anything, but I was more concerned about my husband who was going back on a motorbike. Those panicked sterrs could have killed him in a Stampede.
Men and women down through the century’s have given us wonderful word and music to bring joy and peace to the souls of church members but also to just the man and women that need the love and peace of God Jesus Christ has given us his love in music I love the tunes in the lower key We are.so fortunate that the Jews gave us this faith
Ben, You are right to be terrified of a cattle stampede. However, whatever frightened them into a panic is an uncontrollable situation. Generally they are curious and friendly as they are used to being managed by the farmer in the barnyard. In open pastures, cows are aggressive only if there are young calves nearby even if the cow nearest you does not have one of her own as they can be protective of the ones that do. Its a herd mentality; protect the most vulnerable and you protect yourself. Bulls are ALWAYS dangerous as they challenge anyone in their territory. Crossing a pasture with plenty of room is safe as you both have room to flee.
Subscribe and like to show that you enjoyed this it help Ben to see the we like what he bring us each week it one of my favourite church meetings with all other viewers
How I appreciate the musical tutorial offered along with the joyful sounds for inspirational entertainment. Just a wonderful way to spend some time for personal reflection on a Sunday afternoon! Thank you for sharing.
Hello Ben, Friends and Fellow Supporters. I won't be here live for the premier, but will definitely listen later today. REALLY looking forward to this!
Just tuned in - immediately wondering if your tune for "We Plough the Fields and Scatter" will be the tune by which I know it... Find it interesting, that for a number of hymns we have common, we use quite different tunes. Having a blessed Sunday afternoon with you all.
Thankfully not too many invasions recently but the beacons are also lit to mark major royal occasions and important events such as the 80th anniversary of D-Day this year.
The beacons were lit for the late Queen's platinum jubilee in 2022. My choir sang up on hill with a lit beacon 'A life lived with grace' A memorable night seeing beacons lit across the countryside.
I quite appreciate your legato performance of the Bach. i don't understand why it is that many church organists play everything staccoto and fortissimo. Perhaps they think they are performing a concert. More likely they just don't have so much talent as you.
Absolutely agree with Ben’s comments about the tranquillity of country churches, but as a Londoner I would still like to put in a word for St James’s Piccadilly (mentioned in the video). It is a beautiful Wren church that is well worth a visit and still offers a haven from the noise and bustle outside.
Good to see you following the rules of the road here and walking against the traffic. Those two cyclists who zipped past you underline why this is so important. I see the village has a beacon, which was probably lit at the late Queen’s final jubilee. That little “light organ” packs a powerful punch. I can just imagine it leading a full congregation. (Those were the days)
another fab vid. Thank you so much. This my Sunday evening treat. I just think you are such prize, Ben; bringing these village gems to attention is such an original idea that is bound to do have great results. Best, Rob Currier
Glad to make a monthly donation to support your organ excursions. I'm a 78 y/o organist who was thinking of getting a popup camper here in the USA. You've inspired me In both areas, so a double thank you.
I'm a priest in the Episcopal Church, now retired. When you play hymn tunes, I can't help but have lyrics flow through my mind. How fitting that your last scenes showed "soft, refreshing rain." Indeed, "all good gifts around us are sent from heaven above!"
Ben, have you considered writing a dissertation on your travels, churches, organs and history? Surely so much of what you are doing is worthy of coursework and orals. Doctor of Philosophy in Music/English History of Religious Edifices would be an amazing course. Thank you so much for all you do.
Ben, I always love your walks and what I learn about the villages. St. Bartholomew’s is so beautiful. To walk with you through this ancient church is wonderful. The music is magnificent. In the States, a large herd of running cattle is called a stampede-and, yes, dangerous to anyone on foot!!!
Welcome back, I hope you had a pleasant rest. I enjoyed the song selection today, especially Bach. A lovely opening video to the Autumn season. I am looking forward to seeing the Autumn scenery, enhanced by your wonderful music selections. Take care & I hope there are fewer cows at your next location…or benevolent ones at least.
What a beautiful little Organ that was. Thank you for making these videos, and I'm so glad you can now travel further afield, with the aid of your fantastic Caravan. Well done with all you do. Take care 🙂
Thanks for another great video. So nice to see such a beautifully looked after church grounds and to hear you playing so beautifully again thank you Ben
What another wonderful visit with you Ben. One almost feels that one is with you on your journeys. You seem to have a lovely gift in story telling and the organ music is a bonus. 🤗🤗🥰🥰🦘🦘
Greetings Ben from a retired church organist in Greenwood Lake, New York USA! Thank you for that program, the scenery, and especially the organ music. You have a great sensitivity for playing these smaller pipe organs. I love hearing their simple pure tones. Every stop is unique and vitally important. Your selections fit that organ beautifully.
We have so few such pipe organs in my area which is a mere 35 miles northwest of New York City. So many of our churches have chosen to opt for either electronic organs or praise bands. I imagine those praise bands are closer to the Thomas Hardy ideal of villagers coming together with their various talents, 'though highly amplified!
I believe it is our great loss not to hear the wind as it sings through the pipes. It felt more "human" and alive than any electronic noise box. Thank you for sharing these churches and organs with us.
Although close to the city, we are in an area with dairy farmland. It is not as peacefully historic as your Dorset village. Our village was settled by a lake which reminded early English settlers of your Lake Windermere. In fact, we have no "Main Street". Ours is called Windermere Avenue in honor of its sister across the pond.
Thanks again for these programs. I hope you and your caravan have many fruitful miles together.
Lovely comment.
My wife and I love visiting the Lake District and it’s many beautiful ancient churches and chapels 🇬🇧🌄🌊
When Shapwick Church was first built, who could image that a thousand years later, a superb young organist would arrive in a motor car with collapsible caravan, camera and iPad and film himself on an electrified pipe organ, playing heavenly music by Bach, Alexandre Guilmant and Maurice Greene? God in his Heaven must surely be delighted.
Enjoy that cheese and pickle sandwich my friend! Thanks as always for bringing my weekend to a glorious close with your beautiful music.
Utterly delightful, what a lovely way to end my Sunday. Thank you Ben and God bless you.
EXCELLENT video Ben - one of my fave hymns - total blast !! we anglicans prefer it at rogation services in the springtime - when the seeds are scattered ??. . . . . also, ironically, ploughing seems to be a thing of the past. i made a ploughing video 12 years ago, and since then i have only seen one ploughed field.
Watching in Patara, Turkey on holiday. Can’t miss my weekly organ dose!
Thanks so much, Ben, for another wonderful video with beautiful scenery, a stunning ancient church, and an old organ that you make sing with gorgeous, inspiring music! Blessings!
We visit the churches following your films, they are so much more interesting with the benefit of your introduction,
Organist here in Canandaigua, NY USA watching. Thank you Ben.
And watching with pleasure from Windham, NY, in the beautiful Catskill Mountains.
Congratulations Ben on obtaining your new camper! You have given me an entirely new persepective of cows. I am amazed that so many churches in your country are left unlocked and available for visitors to enter at any time. While some churches where I live operate in that fashion, the majority do not. But why not let them be open, considering that the church is meant to be a sanctuary? What a beautiful church you visited! I have been wondering as I watch you play many pipe organs which run on airflow: are all of these old-fashioned organs connected to electronically operated bellows nowadays? With my limited knowledge I don't know if there would be another way to pump air into an organ, other than a person manually operating the bellows. It is astounding and wonderful, if so, that so many churches have gone through the expense to get such modifications done to keep musicians playing these beautiful instruments! Exquisite playing as always; "We Plough the Fields and Scatter" is certainly one of the most beautiful hymns I have heard to be sung in the autumn. So thrilled to hear you play it!
I remember coming into the church on Sunday morning and realising that somebody had slept their overnight sometime through the week and had left the bar heaters on. That meant a hefty electricity bill. The key used to be broken off in the lock, but that is now been replaced. Also, there was no real toilet, except a hole in the ground which I had to use when I was pregnant...
A great start to my Monday morning in New Zealand. ❤❤❤
I agree. I am listening in Levin.
I am very blessed by this video today! Thank you, brother! I especially like the last hymn.
Snap, I was in Dorset too last week when I visited the beautiful Netherbury church. I thought of you when I visually inspected its organ. Funny I too had a petrifying cow experience. The sound of their stampede has never left me! Thank you for another excellent video.
Welcome back! I hope you had a good holiday. We in Australia say always take your new caravan about an hour's drive away for your first trip. That way you're not half way around Australia before you realise what you've forgotten. Nothing like getting two hours up the road and your wife (me) realising that you're going inland and winter and you've forgotten a wRm blanket! Never mind... while we were shopping for a nice soft comfy mink style blanket, hubby bought a plug-in electric heater for when we've got electricity so that we don't need a noisy heat pump on at night. Because if it's -3 degrees at Orange, you don't want to be woken up by the heater defrosting itself every half hour! And I far prefer it to the gas heater, not that we haven't got proper ventilation! And it's a bar heater dressed up to look like one of your hot water heaters so it's nice and safe. I do not recommend taking anything old or anything with a 1000 watt power usage!
Thank you, Ben! I was on my way to work this Sunday afternoon, thoroughly depressed. Then this latest video of yours popped up on TH-cam. I clicked to watch, and what do you knoW? My depression was greatly eased upon watching the latest Ben Maton adventure. Thank you again, our musical friend!
Dave Jacques
Clinton, Michigan
USA🇺🇸
Now, I’m very humbled and flattered that it’s helped you! Thanks for tuning in and see you again soon :)
Ben ,good to see you towing your home behind you. Looks really good.💝🥰🦘🦘
Hullo Ben from the USA. Was born and raised in Preston,Dorset. The Norman church in Preston, would be a great place fir you to visit if you have time,
😊
Fabulous idea. Billy and I are in Dorset again this week!
Though far older than you, I would have loved that run of cows as I’m as country boy myself from the cattle nation of Texas. I would have undoubtedly come out unscathed and with a lot of new four legged friends. lol
3 minutes late to the game, but so glad I’m here. Looking forward to this Ben!
Beautiful Church and organ music!
Ben another fine evening listening to you and seeing your video. I have found it amazing how you are able to incorporate the mechanical sounds of these organs right into the music. It seems to be a part of the music! Thank you for blessing this Ben from the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee 😊
Great to see you again and another wonderful video 😊 what a lovely church in Dorset this week and you playing my favourite harvest hymn take care ❤
A classic harvest hymn at the end, brings back memories of when I went to church
What a wonderful Sunday afternoon visit to your channel, Ben.
We are ready in Columbus, Ohio!
Gorgeous church building!!
What gloriously colourful kneelers!Someone is very skillful at embroidery at that church. I think that encouraging the congregation to kneel at the appropriate points gives for much greater reverence during the liturgy.
I thought that the kneelers were such a beautiful addition to the sanctuary. So many lovely things to observe in these videos!
I love that you can see all the smaller pipes behind the large ones. Our organ in New Zealand had 330 pipes, but they were all hidden behind the big ones. I'd love to have been able to see them all. When we did senior citizen services, we all sat in front of the organ. I only did that once! Too loud!
Lovely video and the church was so charming. Thank you. Di Wright Zimbabwe
Missed you last week, Ben.
I missed being here too!!
We lived on a sheep farm which had a few cows and we raised a few steers. This was in New Zealand and therefore it was very hilly. There was a bit of top dressing going on and the steers we're in a paddock right next to the airstrip on the side of a hill. We were working on a Ridge just past the airstrip. Now a top dressing plane can land on the side of a hill with no sound at all, but needs everything it's got to take off when fully loaded. Meaning that it's wheels were about waist height as it came across the ridge we were on. Finally the steers had had enough, and as we were driving back in an old Land Cruiser, and the top dresser was taking off again, the steers just burst through the lower fence as if the posts were matchsticks. I was in the Land Cruiser, the top dresser went straight over the top of us and it was as loud as anything, but I was more concerned about my husband who was going back on a motorbike. Those panicked sterrs could have killed him in a Stampede.
Men and women down through the century’s have given us wonderful word and music to bring joy and peace to the souls of church members but also to just the man and women that need the love and peace of God Jesus Christ has given us his love in music I love the tunes in the lower key We are.so fortunate that the Jews gave us this faith
Ben, You are right to be terrified of a cattle stampede. However, whatever frightened them into a panic is an uncontrollable situation. Generally they are curious and friendly as they are used to being managed by the farmer in the barnyard. In open pastures, cows are aggressive only if there are young calves nearby even if the cow nearest you does not have one of her own as they can be protective of the ones that do. Its a herd mentality; protect the most vulnerable and you protect yourself. Bulls are ALWAYS dangerous as they challenge anyone in their territory. Crossing a pasture with plenty of room is safe as you both have room to flee.
Subscribe and like to show that you enjoyed this it help Ben to see the we like what he bring us each week it one of my favourite church meetings with all other viewers
How I appreciate the musical tutorial offered along with the joyful sounds for inspirational entertainment. Just a wonderful way to spend some time for personal reflection on a Sunday afternoon! Thank you for sharing.
Thanks again Ben. Lovely church and you are quite right about cows!
Hello Ben, Friends and Fellow Supporters. I won't be here live for the premier, but will definitely listen later today. REALLY looking forward to this!
Thanks!
I’m very flattered, and grateful. Thank you
Cattle can be calming if you dont fall afoul of hooves and horns.
Thank you; that was wonderful.
Love organ Music. Thank you!
Yes! Keeps getting better and better!
The flute stop was beautiful!
Thank you Ben! .What you are doing is so precious..always looking forward to your videos.Will support.❤
Thank you :)
Just tuned in - immediately wondering if your tune for "We Plough the Fields and Scatter" will be the tune by which I know it... Find it interesting, that for a number of hymns we have common, we use quite different tunes. Having a blessed Sunday afternoon with you all.
Lol, cows, in general, may not be dangerous. They generally mean no harm. But they can weigh three quarters of a ton! (Grew up on a dairy farm)
Inquiring minds want to know. Who filmed you dtiving away?
Haha- Me!!
Thank you Ben ❤
Thank you.
Thank you Ben
What’s that thing in the foreground at the 8:15 mark? Looks like a cage on a pole.
It's a beacon !
They are strategically placed around the country, and when lit warn of impending invasion
Yes. I wonder what that is, as well?
Thankfully not too many invasions recently but the beacons are also lit to mark major royal occasions and important events such as the 80th anniversary of D-Day this year.
The beacons were lit for the late Queen's platinum jubilee in 2022. My choir sang up on hill with a lit beacon 'A life lived with grace' A memorable night seeing beacons lit across the countryside.
I quite appreciate your legato performance of the Bach. i don't understand why it is that many church organists play everything staccoto and fortissimo. Perhaps they think they are performing a concert. More likely they just don't have so much talent as you.
Absolutely agree with Ben’s comments about the tranquillity of country churches, but as a Londoner I would still like to put in a word for St James’s Piccadilly (mentioned in the video). It is a beautiful Wren church that is well worth a visit and still offers a haven from the noise and bustle outside.
Thank you Ben. Another great video
We're having our harvest next Sunday
I must admit I love We plough the fields......
Good to see you following the rules of the road here and walking against the traffic. Those two cyclists who zipped past you underline why this is so important. I see the village has a beacon, which was probably lit at the late Queen’s final jubilee. That little “light organ” packs a powerful punch. I can just imagine it leading a full congregation. (Those were the days)
another fab vid. Thank you so much. This my Sunday evening treat. I just think you are such prize, Ben; bringing these village gems to attention is such an original idea that is bound to do have great results. Best, Rob Currier
Excellent video 👍👍👍♥️♥️♥️ FROM FRANCES DORSET 🎹🤗
Glad to make a monthly donation to support your organ excursions. I'm a 78 y/o organist who was thinking of getting a popup camper here in the USA. You've inspired me In both areas, so a double thank you.
I'm a priest in the Episcopal Church, now retired. When you play hymn tunes, I can't help but have lyrics flow through my mind. How fitting that your last scenes showed "soft, refreshing rain." Indeed, "all good gifts around us are sent from heaven above!"
Ben, have you considered writing a dissertation on your travels, churches, organs and history? Surely so much of what you are doing is worthy of coursework and orals. Doctor of Philosophy in Music/English History of Religious Edifices would be an amazing course. Thank you so much for all you do.
Ben, I always love your walks and what I learn about the villages. St. Bartholomew’s is so beautiful. To walk with you through this ancient church is wonderful. The music is magnificent.
In the States, a large herd of running cattle is called a stampede-and, yes, dangerous to anyone on foot!!!
Welcome back, I hope you had a pleasant rest.
I enjoyed the song selection today, especially Bach. A lovely opening video to the Autumn season. I am looking forward to seeing the Autumn scenery, enhanced by your wonderful music selections.
Take care & I hope there are fewer cows at your next location…or benevolent ones at least.
What a beautiful little Organ that was. Thank you for making these videos, and I'm so glad you can now travel further afield, with the aid of your fantastic Caravan. Well done with all you do. Take care 🙂
Another classic production Ben, beautifully crafted as always and a pleasure to meet you playing in St Mary's in Long Crichel in Dorset yesterday.
Thanks for another great video. So nice to see such a beautifully looked after church grounds and to hear you playing so beautifully again thank you Ben
Exfarmer here. Cattle can be extremely dangerous, even if they know you.
it's rain AGAINNNNNNNNN
First watch Monday morning in Vanuatu before I go to teach.
A=442???
GLORIOUS, Ben.🎉
What another wonderful visit with you Ben. One almost feels that one is with you on your journeys. You seem to have a lovely gift in story telling and the organ music is a bonus. 🤗🤗🥰🥰🦘🦘