During his annual visit to Scotland, Prince Charles paid a surprise visit to a church organist who has played the organ in a number of churches for 75 years. Mary Edmondson (89) started playing the organ at the tender age of 14. The Prince of Wales, who is addressed in Scotland as the Duke of Rothsay, honored Miss Edmondson with a flower basket at the Canisbay Parish Church located in Caithness. Miss Edmondson started playing at the church at the age of 81. The invitation to Prince Charles was presented by Reverend Janet Easton-Berry.
Premier Christian News reports:
The Prince of Wales has honoured a near-nanogenarian church organist as part of his annual Scotland visit.
At 89-years-old, Miss Edmondson began playing the organ at the age of 14, and has played the instrument in various churches for 75 years.
Prince Charles, who is known as a the Duke of Rothsay in Scotland, attended a service at Canisbay Parish Church in Caithness where he presented organist Mary Edmondson with a basket of flowers.
The future king was invited to make the presentation by the Rev Janet Easton-Berry. She said: “Mary has been playing the organ in various churches and denominations for 75 years and started playing at Canisbay Church when she was 81-years-old.
“She is an amazing lady and much loved, so we wanted to organise a special surprise for her during the annual Royal Service.
“I told her at the last minute what was going to happen and the look of surprise on her face was wonderful because she did not have a clue.
“Prince Charles told her that she must be the most longstanding organist, having played for 75-years-old and still going.”
The Prince of Wales congratulated Miss Edmondson on her dedication. He delivered a letter from the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Rt Rev Dr Iain Greenshields, who described her as ‘truly inspirational.’
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