An 88-year-old musician believed to be Britain's longest-serving church organist has pledged to continue his ministry, having dedicated more than seven decades to playing for his local parish.
Keith Watts first took to the organ bench at St Thomas a Becket Church in Lydlinch, Dorset, back in 1951 when he was just 15 years old. Over the past 73 years, the musician has barely taken a break from his duties, taking time away only to complete his National Service, attend his own wedding, and rest following a recent shoulder operation.
His dedication to providing music for the congregation even saw him set up a portable organ outside the church building during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking to the Bournemouth Echo, Mr Watts recalled how his musical journey began as a child: "When I was nine I started to cycle to Henstridge to learn how to play and when I got good enough at 15 I began playing at Lydlinch.
"I lived in Lydlinch for 26 years then moved just down the road but never stopped playing."
Across his long career, Mr Watts is estimated to have accompanied nearly 15,000 hymns on the parish’s 1924 reed organ, alongside performing at countless weddings and memorial services.
His lifelong passion for music also led him to perform beyond the church walls. "Ever since I was small I always loved music and used to play the accordion in a dance band and I also played the saxophone," he said. "But there aren’t any dance bands any more.
"I play the piano every day and I’ve also rung church bells and I’ve rung them here although they are not working at the moment because they need attention."
The milestone comes during a period of personal loss for Mr Watts, whose wife Pam passed away earlier this year after 65 years of marriage.
Despite the tragedy, Mr Watts remains firmly committed to his calling at the instrument. "I’ll keep playing until I can’t do it any more or someone tells me to stop," he said.
In addition to his organ duties, the former carpenter and joiner has used his trade skills to assist the church, making collection boxes, tables, picture frames, and carrying out maintenance work. He also chooses to donate all of his organist fees directly back to the parish.
His ongoing service comes as the 15th-century, Grade II-listed church closes in on a £120,000 restoration campaign to repair its building, with plans to upgrade the organ once structural work completes.
"The church has to raise more than £120,000 and we are nearly at the target – and after that the organ is going to be improved," he added.
