TEAM MEMBERS
Martin
Renshaw
Martin was a chorister at St Paul’s and lay-clerk at Canterbury before singing in opera, oratorio and as one of the three Canterbury Clerkes. Starting as a teenager, he has worked on new and historic organs in several European countries, in churches, concert halls and for radio, TV and recordings. He is also an organist and has written many historical-research articles, lectures and has published three books.
Robert
Bowles
Robert was a chorister at St Paul’s Cathedral and became a Conservation Accredited Structural Engineer. He has worked on many of the most significant historic buildings in the country. He has been chairman of the St Paul’s Cathedral Chorus for 22 years. He oversaw the completion of the Hunter organ at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Clapham and has rebuilt a Walcker practice organ in his home.
George
Allan
George is an active building conservationist who has recently started learning to play the organ in retirement, after careers as a commercial solicitor and in local politics. He is an active member of the Friends of Islington’s Union Chapel, whose mighty 1877 Willis organ inspired him to become active in the conservation of pipe organs.
Matthew
Smith
Matthew comes from the Vale of Belvoir, Leicestershire. He studied Stage at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Matthew worked as a lighting team leader on the London production of Les Misérables for 14 years. As a child he played the organ at the Parish Church of St. Mary Harby Leicestershire sparking his life long obsession with the King of Instruments.
Lewis
Hannaby
Lewis has long been captivated by the mechanical systems that have shaped human innovation. His interests span both mechanical and electronically actuated instruments, from historic self-playing mechanisms such as barrel and roll-operated organs to contemporary MIDI-controlled systems. With a particular fascination for pipe organs as one of the greatest feats of musical engineering, he explores innovative ways to bring redundant instruments back to life, whether through traditional restoration or modern control systems to make them accessible to new audiences. Beyond his work with the charity, Lewis is an experienced lighting designer and systems engineer, specialising in lighting design for theatre, exhibitions, and architectural projects, having collaborated with some of the UK’s leading cultural institutions.
Stephen
Wilcox
Stephen started playing the organ as a teenager and has kept it up ever since. These days he is regularly found at the console of St Michael and All Angels, Amersham-on-the-Hill and other local churches – as well as on his home Hauptwerk console. He is also an actuary, and since 2010 has been Chief Risk Officer of three different financial services firms. He also volunteers for the UK actuarial profession in the world of risk management. Stephen has been appointed as Pipe Up’s Treasurer.