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Author Topic: Carlisle+ 'blind Willy'  (Read 356 times)
Pat13
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Carlisle+ 'blind Willy'
« on: Saturday 01 August 09 19:11 UTC (UK) »
Has anyone who knows Carlisle ever heard mention of someone called 'blind Willy' who supposedly used to play the organ in Carlisle Cathedral? This would presumably have been in the mid 1900's. He was possibly a Baxter. I've had this vague story from a relative and would like to find out just who he was.
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bobgraham
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Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
Re: Carlisle+ 'blind Willy'
« Reply #1 on: Tuesday 04 August 09 11:01 UTC (UK) »
The organ master 1910-1960 was Frederick William Wadely but I can't find any reference to him being blind.
bob
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Cumberland: Graham and Greenop
Yorkshire: Altass
Scottish Isles: McLean
Pat13
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Posts: 66
Re: Carlisle+ 'blind Willy'
« Reply #2 on: Tuesday 04 August 09 18:22 UTC (UK) »
Thanks for your reply Bob, I really didn't expect anyone to take this one up! I have such vague information on this and the two relatives who told me the story were both from the Baxter family. Both had met this 'blind Willy' when he came on a visit to Stockport and both ladies are now in their 80's so it was a case of guessing the time range. One told me he had played the organ in Carlisle Cathedral and the other lady had never heard that story. I have never heard of the name Wadely before and the fact that he has William as one of his names just complicates the matter further.
Thanks for replying anyway.
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bobgraham
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Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
Re: Carlisle+ 'blind Willy'
« Reply #3 on: Tuesday 04 August 09 18:50 UTC (UK) »
I think there may be a difference between "playing the organ" and being "organ master" at the cathedral. Last 2 years we have had silent films shown late at night with some international organ wizard playing the music (extemporizing?) whilst we watched phantom of the opera from 19?? and a balla lugosi that escapes me. Putting carlisle cathedral into the search engine and coming up with an address for the diocese might enable you to ask the question directly.
bob
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Cumberland: Graham and Greenop
Yorkshire: Altass
Scottish Isles: McLean
Geoff-E
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Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
Re: Carlisle+ 'blind Willy'
« Reply #4 on: Tuesday 04 August 09 18:57 UTC (UK) »
Quote from: bobgraham on Tuesday 04 August 09 18:50 UTC (UK)
I think there may be a difference between "playing the organ" and being "organ master" at the cathedral.

FWW was the catherdral organist http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlisle_Cathedral#Organists

William L SNOWDON wasn't born till 1906 so his possible disabilities won't be shown on any census presently available.  Someone was asking about him http://tinyurl.com/ny7rzy
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bobgraham
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Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
Re: Carlisle+ 'blind Willy'
« Reply #5 on: Tuesday 04 August 09 19:33 UTC (UK) »
Geoff, I got my lead from same source but didn't connect the assistant organist and can't find a decent lead on google to the snowden name.
bob
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Pat13
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Re: Carlisle+ 'blind Willy'
« Reply #6 on: Tuesday 04 August 09 22:30 UTC (UK) »
Quote from: bobgraham on Tuesday 04 August 09 18:50 UTC (UK)
I think there may be a difference between "playing the organ" and being "organ master" at the cathedral. Last 2 years we have had silent films shown late at night with some international organ wizard playing the music (extemporizing?) whilst we watched phantom of the opera from 19?? and a balla lugosi that escapes me. Putting carlisle cathedral into the search engine and coming up with an address for the diocese might enable you to ask the question directly.
bob
I did write to the Cathedral a few years ago....they couldn't help.
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bobgraham
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Posts: 376


Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
Re: Carlisle+ 'blind Willy'
« Reply #7 on: Wednesday 05 August 09 06:38 UTC (UK) »
The cathedral organ is a"Willis" and do any of our musical contributors know if there is such a thing as a "blind" on an organ such as this? I couldn't carry a tune in a bucket so it's no use asking me. But a "blind willis"? Dafter things have been misheard by our elders and betters.
bob
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Cumberland: Graham and Greenop
Yorkshire: Altass
Scottish Isles: McLean
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