THE first of a series of recitals on the refurbished Malvern Priory Organ takes place next weekend.

Organist and choirmaster Andrew Wilson will be playing at noon on Saturday, April 23.

The programme will contrast Guilmant's Sonata No 1 in D minor with Lemare's Fantasy on Bizet's Carmen. Mr Wilson will also play a suite based on Scottish folk melodies.

There will be a retiring collection in aid of Priory funds. The £380,000 organ refurbishment, by Malvern firm Nicholson & Co, was completed in September.

Its first outing was a sell-out concert in October last year by City of Birmingham organist Thomas Trotter.

Other recitals in 2005 will be from Canadian Ashley Tidey on May 30 and another from Mr Trotter as part of the Three Choirs Festival on August 7. Philip Underwood will play on August 29, Ann Elise Smoot on October 22 and former organist of Hereford Cathedral, Roy Massey, on December 3.

The Malvern Priory Old Choristers' Association holds its 45th annual reunion on April 23. Mr Wilson's recital will be followed by the annual general meeting and a special service of choral evensong followed by dinner in the Lyttelton Rooms.