Martin Foster, who has been organist at St Peter’s Church, Thornton, since1979, retired at the end of December 2024, carrying out his last service on Sunday 22nd December. He had previously retired in March 2010 but continued to play for church services, weddings and funerals as no one had come forward to take over. Now in his 90s, Martin feels it is time to stop playing for church services.
On 22nd December, Martin played and sang along to the 4 hymns he had chosen for the occasion, hymns that all held particular significance to him. The church was filled with people wanting to be part of this momentous occasion. At the end of the service Martin spoke a few words, and was presented with gifts from church and Thornton village people. It was a happy celebration of Martin’s years of service as organist and his gift for music.
Martin grew up in Thornton in the 1930’s and even then music featured largely in his life. At an early age he was raising funds for WW2 troops with his music at the Working Men’s Club. He told us that at age 15 he was organist at Holy Rood Bagworth with the then vicar’s wife as choir mistress.
He has held various appointments at school and college, and at the churches of Ratby and Glenfield.
Martin played for a service at Thornton for the first time on 13th October 1968. When organist Miss Seal died in 1979, he became St Peter’s permanent organist.
He says he has lost count of the many church services, weddings and funerals for which he’s played. Through music he has also raised funds for The Friends of St Peter’s and for the restoration and preservation of the organ, “a fine mid-Victorian instrument”, for posterity.
Martin, you will be so greatly missed as our organist, though I know we will continue to see you worshipping at our services.
We all thank you so very much for all the wonderful music you have provided for so many people in so many settings over the years.
If you are at all interested or know someone who might be interested in playing the ‘Grand Old Lady’ as Martin describes our organ, please do get in touch.
These precious organ keys need to be played.
Shirley G
Thornton 