A BLUE plaque will be unveiled at a Worcester landmark in recognition of a celebrated organist.
Worcester Civic Society, in conjunction with Worcester Cathedral, will unveil the blue plaque on College Green on Saturday, July 29 to commemorate Thomas Tomkins, an organist and master of the choristers at Worcester Cathedral from 1596 until his death in 1656.
Thomas was born in St David’s, Wales, in 1572 and as a pupil of the noted Elizabethan musician, William Byrd, went on to compose both sacred and secular music compositions, most of which have survived and are still sung regularly by Worcester Cathedral Choir.
He was appointed to Worcester following the death of Nathaniel Patrick in 1595, and it was Nathaniel’s widow, Alice, whom Thomas married one year later in 1596.
They moved into 2 College Green where they lived from 1596 to 1627, at which time they were financially secure enough to lease land from the Dean and Chapter and build a new house, 9 College Green.
Alice died in 1642 shortly before the outbreak of the English Civil War, during which time church music was suppressed.
The Chapel Royal of which Thomas was an organist was closed and the organ in Worcester Cathedral, which he oversaw the construction of, was destroyed.
Thomas died in June 1656, aged 84, and was buried in the churchyard at Martin Hussingtree.
The house at 9 College Green has survived with only minor alterations and is still owned by the Dean and Chapter.
The blue plaque serves as an historical marker to places across in the UK that have a link with a famous person or event.
Phil Douce, chairman of the Worcester Civic Society, said: “We’re very excited to unveil this plaque, especially as it coincides with the Three Choirs Festival.
“We’ve been pushing for it for a long time and as the Cathedral’s chief administrative officer, Les West, who was also the membership secretary of the Worcester Civic
Society until recently, is due to retire to Norfolk later this year, we thought it would make a nice farewell present.
“We asked him who he would like to see recognised and he chose Thomas Tomkins. He’s an historical Worcester figure and it will be nice for all those visiting the Three Choirs Festival from across the UK and overseas to learn more about the talented organist.”
The ceremony will take place during the Three Choirs Festival at 2pm.
Visit www.worcestercivicsociety.org.uk for more information.
