COLIN Nicholson was a choirboy when he was reported for writing musical compositions instead of listening to a sermon in church.

The Colchester schoolboy, who was taking piano lessons, was hoping he could try out his work on St Botolph's Church's organ after the service when he was caught by an angry woman.

While sometimes he was allowed the privilege, on that occasion it was not to be.

Little did he know almost 80 years later he would be retiring as organist at the very same church.

Colin, 86, of Roman Road, said: "It's been a big way of life."

Colin was just 14, and with very little experience, when he was approached at school to take over as organist of St Martin's Church. As news of his talent grew he transferred to Holy Trinity Church before moving to Christ Church to take over there.

It was in 1954, aged just 22, when Colin was approached to be the organist at St Botolph's Church, his family church and organ which he had been so eager to try out all those years before.

Now after 64 years of service there and many triumphs along the way, Colin is calling it a day.

He said: "I always say I never actually applied for a job anywhere.

"There was always someone who turned up on the doorstep would you like this job. I had the chance to go elswhere but I always thought there was plenty to do here."

As well as being organist, Colin set up the Music Society in 1966 which has gone from strength to strength, organising festivals, concert series and holiday courses.

Among his many achievements, and the British Empire Medal in 2012 for commitment to music, is a new set of canticles unique to St Botolph's.

But Colin's association with the organ goes back to before he was even born.

His grandfather supported buying St Botolph's Church organ when he donated money to the fund in 1890.

And Colin's uncle was also organist at the church in the 1930s before he passed away.

He said: "I was always so fascinated by the organ.

"When I was a choirboy at St Botolph's I used to ask if I could have a go on the organ at the end of the service. Sometimes it was granted. But I was reported by one woman for scribbling.

"It didn't put me off."

While Colin, who was also head of music at Colchester Gramar School for 20 years, has five children of his own with wife Gill, and all of them musical, the organ bug has stayed with him.

He said: "I have been thinking about retiring for a while. You can't go on forever and circumstances change.

"But it has been an absolute privilege.

"My wife has really been very ill and it's just not possible to make a regular commitment anymore.

"I couldn't have any of this without her. It's always been a team thing and I should not have managed a fraction of it without her help."

Colin's final appearance as organist will be on December 30. But he hasn't ruled out returning to his youth, composing music during the sermon and asking for the privilege of playing once again.

He added: "I would definitely hope it's not the end."