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Front has two panels with traceried tops between buttress pilasters. Inscription on a brass plate on the book rest.
| DEDICATED | |
| TO THE MEMORY OF | |
| R.R.POTTER | |
| ORGANIST | |
| AND | |
| H.LAIDLER | |
| CHORISTER | |
| SEPT.14/1911 |
“The following resolution proposed by Mr Walker and seconded by Mr Fairlam was carried unanimously, viz:— That a new pulpit be provided at a cost of £96, a new reading desk for £18, also four painted panels for two bays in the triforia of the choir at a cost of £103; a total of £217, to be paid out of the Abbey fund.” [Churchwardens' Minutes HEXAB5086 16/05/1911]
“It is with deepest feelings of sorrow that we place on record our loss in the death of Ronald R Potter, MA, ARCO, our beloved and talented organist. […] Without one word of sinister warning and without one word of good-bye, Henry Laidler is taken from us […] Only a young lad, and yet he was one of Mr Potter's boys, and he had his ministry to serve in the church. The Rector and Wardens have instructed to Mr Temple Moore the new pulpit, reading desk, and the filling up with painted panels of two bays in the choir triforia. The new pulpit is an urgent necessity. The woodwork throughout will be by Messrs Holloway Brothers, who have done such excellent work for us. The reading desk will be unobtrusive, as it will be concealed on the west side by the remains of our most interesting relic of the ancient 12th-Century stone rood screen [on the south side of the nave]. The estimate for this is £18. I would suggest that this new reading desk be associated with the memory of our late organist, R R Potter, and our chorister, Henry Laidler.” [HexParMag Jun 1911, p.32,33]
The proposal to associate the new Reading Desk with the memory of our late organist, R R Potter, and our chorister, H Laidler, appears to meet general approval. […] [HexParMag Jul, p.40]
Towards the Reading Desk […] the sum of £1 10s 6d has been announced. Further donations are:— […] £10 18 1. This sum is about half the required amount for the simple and beautiful piece of furniture designed by Mr Temple Moore. [HexParMag Aug, p.44]
“Another interesting chapter to place on record in connection with the history of Hexham's noble Abbey took place on Thursday afternoon, when a new pulpit, a memorial reading desk, and triforia panels where dedicated by the Ven Archdeacon Henderson. … The reading desk, […] is of plain oak, and has been placed against the fragment of the ancient 12th-century stone rood screen at the entrance from the nave into the transepts close to where the old pulpit stood.” [HexParMag Oct 1911 pp57–58]
The desk has since been moved several times and once stood where chamber organ now stands in the South Chancel Aisle, and later in the Song School.
R R Potter and H Laidler are both in the framed photograph of the Clergy, Choir, and Vergers, November, 1910 [HEXAB3150] along with T Laidler.
‘Sacred to the memory of Ronald Richardson POTTER, organist of Hexham Abbey, d. 4 May 1911 aged 32 yrs. “He has moved a little nearer to the master of all music”.’ [Inscription at cemetery 21/10]
“In loving memory of Harry, son of Thomas and the late Jane Elizabeth LAIDLER, who d. 25 May 1911 aged 17 yrs. …” [Inscription at cemetery 16/6]
“Harry, son of Thomas and the late Jane Elizabeth LAIDLER, who d. 25 May 1911 aged 17 yrs.” [Inscription at cemetery 17/4]
[At the time, Thomas Laidler ran the pub “The Turk's Head” (“Heart of All England Tavern” from 1963, now “The Heart of Northumberland”) on Market Street.]