VETERAN Forest organist Bob Aston, who has been playing at weddings, funerals and Sunday services for 65 years, is to be admitted to an elite order by the Bishop of Gloucester.

Bob, who started pulling out all the stops at Christchurch as a 19-year-old in 1952, will be inducted into the Company of St Kyneburga in Gloucester Cathedral on June 27.

This award is only given to those who have given ‘special and outstanding’ service in the Diocese of Gloucester over a long period.

Mr Aston, aged 84, still plays the organ three times on Sundays and regularly helps out at other churches including Staunton, Newland English Bicknor and Drybrook.

He said: “I was very surprised to get a letter from the Bishop informing me about being inducted into the Company of St Kyneburga. I really didn’t expect it.

“I started playing piano at the age of 11 and trained in the organ at Lydbrook under LC Bennett. I still love playing.”

The Rev Tony Williams, Rector of Christchurch Forest of Dean and St Mary English Bicknor, said: “Bob became organist at Christchurch as a teenager in 1952.

He has, since then, faithfully enhanced the worship of the Church.

His ability and willingness to play everything from Sung Evensong, to modern day praise and worship songs is a real boon to the worshipping life of this and the many other Churches he has and does support where needed.

“Bob is a selfless Christian man who never seeks the limelight but has, for the past 65-years, offered faithful and committed Christian service and care.”

The Company of St Kyneburga takes its name from Gloucester’s patron saint who, in legend, was a Saxon princess who ran away from an arranged marriage.