A MACMILLAN coffee morning had a big surprise last week when a Seventies Dutch Organ arrived.

The street organ – named De Woerd which is Dutch for ‘the drake’ – was special guest at the fundraiser in Langford.

Jan Lewis, of Innovate Financial Solutions who staged the coffee morning, said: “The event was attended by clients, local businesses, friends and family with one exceptional visitor – a 52-key Limonaire System Dutch street organ brought to us by John Giles from Essex Steam.

“It was built by the organ maker Rein Van Den Broek from Holland, probably in the early Seventies.

“Essex Steam acquired the organ in May 2011 and now show it at functions all over Essex, Cambridge, Hertford and Lincolnshire.”

The organ boasts 126 pipes, plus a bass drum, snare drum, cymbal and two wood blocks.

The organ plays using a key frame with 52 keys that go through perforated cardboard to play the tunes.

Street organs were traditionally played in towns to entertain passers-by.

The fundraiser was held at Innovate Financial Solutions in Langford Hall on Friday.

Jan added: “Innovate would like to thank to all who supported us in this year’s event raising a record amount for Macmillan Cancer Support.”