Fuel rationing called the tune

Post-war rationing of fuel had Mr Fleming and Mr Cheetham exchanging letters in early 1948.

In a short letter dated 10 February, Mr Fleming tried to get some movement on timetabling some work on the organ. Having the organ out of service would have interfered with service arrangements, Mr Fleming had been told.

Mr Fleming wrote: “Then again, the difficulty of fuel arose. We must have the church heated to a reasonable temperature while the work is in progress, and maintained at something in the region of 60 degrees while the tonal finishing is taking place. We understood this was not possible on your present fuel ration.

" I believe I told Mr Stollard (the organist) that I had approached the Midland Fuel Overseer about an increased allowance to cover such periods of work, but to no effect; the only help he could give was to suggest the use of unrationed fuel, such as lignite which is probably very expensive and almost impossible to obtain.

“ If my memory serves me right, I discussed all this with Mr Stollard, and we agreed that the work would be undertaken after Easter, when we can anticipate some warmer weather.”

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