Great rendition of the old Battle Hymn. You totally captured the spirit of late nineteenth century America. Your own piece in the little church was poetry. Thanks for sharing your art and spirit with us in the US.

The Barnes and Mullins harmonium must be thrilled to be playing the World Premier of Maton’s Dreaming, Beethoven’s Funeral March, movingly played during the late Queen’s funeral procession, and Handel’s Water Music. Ben’s crusade for unloved churches and organs should become nationwide. The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

Ben, Just so you know… I have been liking and sharing your videos. A friend from church asked me if I was looking for an old foot pump organ. Actually, I wasn’t but I’ve wanted to learn to play keyboards. He has an old organ and offered to give it to me FOR FREE! His wife, who passed some time ago, bought it many years ago and he has no use for it. My goal is to play hymns and play my favorite: Be Still My Soul (tune by Sibelius). Your videos bring me peace. Thank you. Keep up the good work.i appreciate you.

“Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him!” Thank you, Ben. 🇺🇸 ❤️🇬🇧

Ben,you are not only an ecellent organ player but also a fantastic reciter of poems!

Greetings from The U.S.A. to our British friends on this, our Independence Day! Thanks, Ben.

Ben, thank you for playing the Battle Hymn of the Republic for our American Independence Day! British and American citizens are friends!

I loved the Handel "Water Music". Who imagined you could make that magnificent piece so beautiful on such a small organ. "Dreaming" is a very special and sweet piece. I hope you'll play it, often, for us. 🎶😊🎵🎶

An unexpected mid-week pleasure and a "Battle Hymn" treat -Ron (USA)

Greetings Ben! 👋 We're over here in America celebrating our Independence from England. 😉 Happy Independence Day to all Americans (and Ben too 👍)! 🇺🇲 The Battle Hymn of the Republic was beautiful! Thank you!

Ben, it is amazing to my American mind to see you play in churches that were built centuries before my ancestors came here as colonists. Thanks for sharing with us.

Thanks again for these midweek treats, Ben. If you're ever in Norfolk, we have a really lovely organ in our local parish church. In fact, I'm being baptised there on Sunday. Bit overdue as I'm about to turn 70, but better late than never!

You are a showman at heart. But you understand reverence too. Love your work. Will send help when I am able. Hugs from western Canada!

That was beautiful, as usual. At risk of making you conceited, I have to say, once again, that every week your videos get better and better. Having said this, I have to admit that I often go back and rewatch Bach to Basics and my other old favourites. The cat will give up on you - denied another car ride! I once drove halfway to a friend’s with the neighbour’s cat in the back seat before I noticed it. He must have jumped in the open window! I had no idea that many of the churches you have visited were renovated by the Victorians. This one is gorgeous and it’s obviously loved and well taken care of. It doesn’t sound like you enjoy Billy’s love of fishing. One of my uncles was big fan. I once went with him and various cousins. We sat there for ever. My cousin, Christine, sat on an ants nest. I complained about being bored and was told that was how fishing was. Sitting doing nothing. Liz❤

I just love your portable organ. It sounds lovely. What a blessing to have it! 🙏 St Peter's Church should invite you to perform on it at their annual service. 👍

Your quest to bring an appreciation of the past, along with your musical talent is much appreciated.

Thank you Ben for all of your work this week. The little portable reed organ is excellent, just by herself, in any size or shape of church/cathedral acoustics, but especially the churches that sadly don't currently have any organ.

I don't know what the residents in the graves in the churchyard would have made of all this new fangled music, but to me it seemed to be a wonderful celebration of all the people through the ages who have prayed in that church, been christened, confirmed, married or had their funeral their. That small church is like a time machine that set off for the future in Saxon times and is still travelling forward, and the music you played was a wonderful event in the journey.

The selection from Handel's Water Music was a beautiful choice for such a little church. Quiet, but not forgotten!

Ben - 👐🏼So blessed and talented organist we have and he makes this wonderful reed organ a tool for holy purpose. 👏🏼⚜️✝️⚜️

Fascinating! You have a most elegant style. I deeply appreciate your dedication to our art.

We all "love a good, spontaneous church visit" also! The harmonium sounded great in Old St. Peter's church. "Dreaming" is yet another beautiful composition. Thank you for another great video (and for the July 4th homage)!

That E R on the wall brought home to me just how old the church is! In Australia 1788 is old.

You are such a gift to all of us. Thank you, Ben.

Harmoniums certainly have a rich history. But they sound more like accordions than organs to my ear. They should, of course, since both use reeds to produce sound. Ben is clearly a master of organ and harmonium.

Thank you, Ben for the wonderful episode and recognizing the USA's Independence Day.

Excellent, Ben - loved having so much music in that little gem of a chapel. The Harmonium fitted in beautifully - good idea. I hope Janet is able to use your video for the Parish!

Ben, thanks so much for the 4th of July gift!! Your music is always inspirational!!

Love the "foot filming." Thank you, Ben

I love your little harmonium! It has beautiful sound for as simple as it is. And thank you for the "Battle Hymn of the Republic."

Fabulous to hear the mobile organ in such an old place of worship. Well looked after with a duvet too.

That first piece, dreaming, is so beautiful in its simplicity ❤

Ben I'm falling in love with your music and dialog and next month I'm going to start contributing to your endeavor so that I can keep enjoying both your talent and your commentary. I live in Nebraska U.S.A. and I'm in my late 70's

We just held my husband's traditional Latin rite requiem Mass, so the funeral march was so relevant to me. Please, in future, would you play more music appropriate to these former Catholic churches when you visit them?

I am both awed & impressed by your musical talented & cinematic ability to convey a truly enjoyable & worthwhile video offering. Your original musical composition was both appropriate & magical to the story line; you are masterful in both your historical research & sensitivity to the location of visitation. What a delight! And as you expand your audience with your increasing sensitivity to musical content & poetic expression, we are "treated" in learning more about the person you truly are & the talents you possess. What a joy & privilege it is to be a Patreon support. This is Peter M; out!

Happy Birthday America! 🇺🇲 Thank you Ben for the glorious rendition of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic".

Thank You for another really great program and Thank You for remembering us here in the U.S.A. That little organ of yours is a real gem.

So beautiful Ben,love your channel and thankyou for taking us round the old churches,I moved to New Zealand 50 years ago and still miss seeing the old churches and church yards.❤

Dreaming sounds beautiful in the old church. You brought it back to life. Bless you!

All that is needed is a fine cup of tea,and a scone! Quite the tranquil place!

A lovely trip out with your harmonium. Very well suited to the acoustics of Old St Peter’s, as you predicted. ‘Dreaming’ is a lovely piece. With hints of Elgar yet most definitely yours. You managed to get a good range of sounds from Handel’s Air, very well arranged for that Barnes & Mullins harmonium. Thanks for a lovely, tranquil and thought-provoking video.

Love the oldest churches so much !:)

Beautiful!! ❤ His Truth!!! Is Marching On! Glory Hallelujah!

Ben, I know you like Thomas Hardy's poetry. Do you know his "Proud Songsters" (incidentally set to music by Finzi)? Very similar theme to the poem you feature in this video: "These are brand-new birds...which a year ago, or less than twain, no finches were, nor nightingales, nor thrushes, but only particles of grain, and earth, and air, and rain."

Thank you for the music Ben.

Thank you for the underlying positive note you give to everything.

Another peaceful rendition from a tremendously accomplished organist. Always a pleasure to see and listen to you . Grateful Thanks Ben for all your dedication . Blessings from Scotland

Thank you Ben. A nice surprise You must be as strong as an ox the way you took that harmonium into the church😊 Another very interesting and enjoyable video. Thank you

Ah, Ben, your weekly tonics are almost enough to convince me to pay for KZfaq so they don't get interrupted by boring, banal adverts! Again, thank you for this window into another, quiet, Godly corner of England, and the joys of your music.

That piece was beautiful. 🙂

kitty tummy danger zone!

Thank you so much for playing The Battle Hymn of the Republic! Your performance well conveyed the spirit of the hymn.

I was struck with the Elizabeth Regina decoration on the wall to the right of the altar. To think that during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, the building was already 200 years old. So much history there (in what is left of the building). Billy ought to have come along. The room's acoustic is perfect for his guitar. I do not mean to sound insulting or impertinent, but in your video from Stert where you played a bit of "Dreaming" I was struck with a vague recognition of the melody. I was wracking my brain to figure out what it was. After singing it in my head, I got some words, but I still could not place the song. As you were playing "Dreaming" in its entirety, it finally came to me. It vaguely reminds me of R.E.M.'s song "Everybody Hurts." I like "Dreaming" and it is perfect for the mourning and soulful sound of the harmonium. How appropriate that a church named for St. Peter is in a fishing town. The story told in The Gospel of John when Jesus appeared to the disciples the third time after the resurrection. I am glad for you and the harmonium in its ability to allow you to play in these rooms without instruments. Pax vobiscum.

What a wonderful video this was! The beautiful church, the first playing of your new treasure of an organ, Handel, poetry and the Battle Hymn which was absolutely marvellous - everything was wonderful! But the highlight was without a doubt Dreaming, which was so beautiful I didn't want it to end. Thank you from Australia!

Thank you 🙏 Ben for another wonderful video it was so good to see your lovely 🐈‍⬛ again it’s good that you were given that lovely portable organ it sounded great 👍 in St Peter’s church lovely poem and your piece called dreaming yes please do come to our dear Norfolk we have some lovely old churches so again Ben until the next time I do look forward to hearing you playing the different organs take care

Thanks for another lovely video- such a wonderful little church! So sporting of you to play our national hymn for Independence Day, too!

Yes, thank you, Ben, for The Battle Hymn of the Republic and for all you do.

Thank you so much, Ben! I enjoyed "Dreaming". I let a sign loose and relaxed. I am in New Hampshire. My dream from the 1st grade was to live in England. Dreams do come true and I lived 4 years in Yorkshire teaching violin to wonderful children. After returning to the USA I played a pump organ at North Sandwich quaker Meeting (not nearly as fine and musical as yourself). The present building was built in 1881, but I do not know when the organ was added, although it is old. How I wish I could hear you play it! It is two manual. Being a violinist, I did not really quite know what I was doing and after hearing you play I realize that I did not know what this beautiful instrument could do. I particularly like the tempo of the Water Music by Handel. Thank you for the best "Battle Hymn"I I have ever heard. The places, history, music and poetry you present is a special time to me.

"Dreaming" was darn good. Thanks for sharing. I always enjoy your videos.

I loved the original composition. The subtle dissonances were spot on.

What a lovely sound your harmonium makes. It would be great to hear it with some consort instruments.

Muy bonitas piezas musicales elegidas para este video con acierto Ben, el sonido del harmonium, es bello el interior de esta iglesia tan rústico que has elegido para tu vídeo. Disfrutando una vez más con tu creación. Un abrazo virtual.😊🫂

Dreaming, is a new favourite. You are a marvel, and give such joy to those who love the countryside, old churches, and the beauty of the organ’s music

Thank you for playing "The Battle".. Much appreciated. ❤

Dreaming was just beautiful. Almost put me to sleep too.

Thank you for the 4th of July homage!

Thanks for the 4th of July tribute!

Dreaming = very soothing and relaxing. I like the sound of the harmonium.

I never would have thought that I like funerary marches, but apparently I do.😀

I hope they invite you on the day of that yearly service of St-Peters with your harmonium. Very good music in this small chancel of St-Peters. You getting better, a good teaser at the end to put a suspense to our waiting. I can't wait for the next instalment of this production.

Such beautiful music! I am very partial to Handel and your piece was so surreal, almost as in a dream! Thank you for a stirring rendition of the Battle Hymn, too! Happy 4th to you! Looking forward to hearing more!

Ben ...your comp ..."Dreaming". Is quite lovely ....And you understand how to use that simple little instrument in a very appropriate way. I have three of these folding organs and I use them with my German chorus and with other choral groups along the way. And they are fun to use. Would love to have a copy of this piece to use for communion at my parish where I am now using a reed organ since we are out of the sanctuary for 3 months while HVAC systems get replaced and stained glass windows get work done to them.

Thank you, Ben!

Yet another superb video Ben, that harmonium is perfect for some Sankey hymns.

Since you played an American song on an English organ, now you need to come to America and play a few English tunes on an American organ.😁👍

Love your new piece. Keep on composing.

I love the harmonium, Ben--and thank you for remembering the US 4th of July when you in the UK would have your election on your minds :)

❤ Hi From the Chicagoland area ❤ I was so happy to see you on a Thursday at the little church with your harmonium. The donor must be so thrilled!! I loved the history and the setting; the acoustics must have been great because it sounded lovely. And thank you for your kind tribute through the Battle Hymn of the Republic. It's so meaningful to us Americans. I love your channel and can't wait for the next episode.

Thank you for showing us the harmonium inside a church. I enjoyed ‘Dreaming’, it helped me to relax and escape at the end of a busy week. It reminded me a bit of ‘Oh, Lovely Appearance of Death’ by efdemin. Have a pleasant weekend and I look forward to the next video.

Thank you for the beautiful recognition of the USA's 248th birthday!

I farewell a dear friend today and your Beethoven piece was just right. Thank you.

Thank you for the Battle Hymn of the Republic!

Wonderful! Thanks, Ben.

Such a BEAUTIFUL little piece! Have you written it down yet? I'm writing it down solely for the purpose of the exercise of transcription from screen to paper (NOTHING MORE, please don't worry). To me it sounded like a perfect Largo movement sandwiched between two other "con moto"-like movements for a complete composition called Dreamscape Concerto No. 1 for Organ! This piece fits the feeling and the mood of these little churches SO well. I enjoy history. Never stop bringing England's village histories to us. I can relate to these villages you show us because I, myself, live out in the country and I attend a small country church just down the road from me.

Thank you for that excellent rendition of The Battle Hymn of the Republic. Do you see how gracious Americans can be? Nobody took you to task for playing a piece from our Civil War, when we are celebrating our independence by winning the Revolutionary War. That's quite all right as we really appreciate the sentiment, especially from an Englishman. There's something special about being English. My family has been over her for only 6 generations, but I still consider Yorkshire as "home". 😀

Gratulálok kedves Ben, hogy rövid időn belül új tartalmas érzelmekben gazdag videót szerkesztett a követők örömére!😇 Kedvelem a mosollyal teljes arcát, a címoldalon! Kedvelem a mosolyt, és kacagást amikor a harmónium "baby"-t bemutatod.. .Köszönöm, hogy láthattam a tekintélyt tiszteletet kiérdemlő Szent Péter ősi templomot. A harmónium hangja lenyűgöző, a zenei játékod varázslatos, zene választásod illeszkedik az ősi templom hangulatához ebben a templomban is. Zeneműved, előadásod, harmónium játékod, leleményes videószerkesztésed tökéletesen bizonyítja sokoldolúságod, tehetséged. Júl 4-én amikor feltetted a videót, nem volt időm megtekinteni, mert kaptam egy zarándok utazási meghívást a helyi katolikus atyától, de alig vártam, hogy láthassam. Nagyváradra- Romániába utaztunk 8-an egy kis busszal. Az egynapos úton templomokat látogattunk meg, és két vértanú pap emléke előtt tisztelegtünk.Miközben zarándokoltunk, arra gondoltam, milyen szép lenne, ha a hitükben kitartó papok, vagy más emberek akik kiérdemlik a tiszteletet, az ő emlékük méltó bemutatásra kerülne, hasonlóképpen egy videófilmben, ahogy Ben teszi. A szegedi Levente atya könyvet írt az egyik vértanú lelkész Györgypál Albert emlékére, amelyben feltárja életét, és ez is egy jó módja az emlékük őrzésének A vértanú lelkész" Jézusi korban" 33 évesen hunyt el. Az ő idejében a politikai viszonyok nem engedték hogy szabadon felszólaljon az elnyomás ellen. A nagyváradi börtönben súlyosan bántalmazták, ami végül a halálát okozta. Hűséges volt Istenhez, hitéhez, emberszeretete, cselekedeteiben nyilvánult meg. Kedves Ben hálásan köszönöm áldásaid. A Szent Péter templom belső tere, hangulata nagyon hasonlít egy magyarországi 13.századi temlomra, amely Sarlós Boldogasszony tiszteletére szenteltek, és mi katolikusok július 2-án ünnepeltünk. Szeretettel küldöm a videót mert úgy érzem a két templom ösiségében összekapcsolható. Thank You! God bless you!kzfaq.info/get/bejne/pqySp6lenqqrYYk.html ❣💫💙🕊🌿🙏

A wonderful and rousing playing of The Battle Hymn of the Republic. Thanks for another wonderful episode Ben!

Loved your new piece. Dreaming. Very calming.

I didn’t realise until you got to the old church but I visited it a few years ago. It’s just the old chancel now. We ate in the restaurant where you parked your car!

Just when I thought you couldn’t get any better you produce another gem! Music, poetry, history, reflection, your cat, beautiful town and countryside. From Ireland, as always, a thousand thanks and blessings. Fr. Noel

Excellent finale. I really enjoyed the variety of sounds and shades you produced. Thank you.

I'm really impressed with the harmonium's bass sound... it's superior to most reed organs I've ever heard. Of course, perhaps the acoustics in that beautiful chapel helped some! Great music selection too- I've had fond thoughts of the Beethoven ever since the Queen's funeral...

Extremely well done!

God bless you Ben🙏🙏🙏

That is a marvellous sound your little portable harmonium makes.

Hello Ben just had to listen to your latest visit at St Peter’s and I loved the handle water music 😅 your new reed organ sounds so amazing ❤ look forward to hearing your secret 😮 and seeing billy again soon xx

Wonderful music. I’m a big fan of free reed instruments like your harmonium.

Many thanks Ben. Greatly appreciate the music you play.

Brilliant video! I loved it on so many levels. Thank you!

Well… both you and your little Harmonium, are becoming quite the celebrities…. Yeah!! Bless you for remembering we Americans independence from your Monarchy, with the “Battle Hymn Of the Republic” ….. Reminded me of the Memorial Service held at St Pauls Cathedral in London, just days after 9/11, when the air was filled, as thousands sang it along with that fine powerful organ, in a tear jerking & most moving performance!! Watch it if you haven’t seen it! Thanks again for all you do, and your sweet “Dreaming”