Michael J. Watcham
Organ Enthusiast
Amateur Organist

Organ Photographer

MICHAEL J. WATCHAM
M?8ANGLESEYAVENUE
LOOSE,MAmSTONE

KENT ME15 98H (3, k & Wh. &
Telephone MAlDSTONE 01522 743727 “Organ hiv‘§;'°“"
Mrs A Williamson, ‘ Wednesday 20th January 1999
" Beechmount "
Conyhgham,

BRIDGE Near Canterbury,
Kent, C T 4 5 J X

Dear Mrs Williamson,

I thought that Id write and got your name & Address from a September 1998
Parish Officers Book that I sent for which gives names & Addresses of
Church secretaries etc for East Kent Churches.

However I thought that as Pt Marys church Patrixbourne has a 1 Manual
organ by G M Eoldich circa 1879 I thought the church and your organist
might like a Free couple of Photos in B & W 5 X 7 and 6% X 8% that I
printed. There is a Mrs Marie Higginbottom of Coal .Aston Derbyshire

who for nearly 15 years has been researching into G M Holdich the late
Organ Builder & Organist and from Some of his descendants she Managed
to borrow an old Photo of G M Holdich which she got a few Lazer prints
done and she sent me one which Ive Photographed so I have it on negative
which Ive got the prints done from since I have a Darkroom outfit in the
loft at home.

Holdich & His organ firm built loads of Organs all over England some of
which are no longer. There isnt many in East Kent only Hothfield St Margare
and Dover Unitarian Church and St Mary Fordwich which is now Redundant
and Christ Church Broadstairs which I think the church is now Redundant
as its not listed in the Parish Officers book. However the photos Im
sending one would look nice in a frame hung on the organ case so that
any Organists or Organ Enthusiasts like me will know who not only built
the organ but what the organ builder looked like. I doubt very much if
the church and your organist might like a Photo of The grave of Holdich
which is in Ladywell Cemetery at Lewisham, London S E 15 but if you do
and others need some I will print some.

However hope your church and your Organist like the Photos and if anyone
feels they want to send me something just send me 5 or 6 2nd Class stamps

which will be enough.
P S A couple more spare photos are available if

Your Sincere y
/Wbégggg Q) Required,
Mic cham

 



GEORGE FIAYDWELL HOLDIQH
Organ Builder & Organist
Born 14th August 4846

Died 30th July 1896 _ _
At his home in Forest @111
London S E 25 and Burled
in Ladywell Cemetery at
Lewisham, London S E 43

Photograph taken from the
Original Courteyy of Mrs -
Margaret Holdich, Mrs Marie
Higginbottom(Nee Holaich)
of Coal Aston, Derbyshire

of The Holdich Family
History Seciety.

@F4375 5%

Michael J. Watcham
“”?s“fi\'fiE'fE§€+“XOEfiUéM 0'9?-"E"*h~~*'ia.st
LOOSE MNDSTONE Amateur Organist
KEN-"— ME15 SSH Organ Photographer
Telephone MAIDSTONE 01622 743727 ‘B"’°" 8‘ White 8‘ C°'°‘"’
__ Organ Archivist