Wells Cathedral tribute after former organ scholar Harrison Cole dies

By Laura Linham 17th Jun 2026

Local News by Laura Linham 17th Jun 2026

Wells Cathedral has paid tribute to former organ scholar Harrison Cole after he was found dead in the River Cam in Cambridge. Harrison, 25, who served as organ scholar at Wells Cathedral between 2018 and 2019, was found near King's College on Sunday, 7 June.

Cambridgeshire Police said officers were called to the River Cam at about 9.15 am following reports of a man's body in the river near King's College. His death is not being treated as suspicious and a file has been prepared for the coroner.

In a statement, Wells Cathedral said: "We are deeply saddened by the news of the death of Harrison Cole, who was Organ Scholar at Wells Cathedral between 2018 and 2019.

"We pray for Harrison as he takes his place in glory, and for all who he leaves behind, that his example may lead us and God's love surround us. May he rest in peace and rise in glory."

Celebrity organist Anna Lapwood also paid tribute, describing Harrison as "such a glorious person and an amazing organist". She added that she was sending love to his family and to everyone in Cambridge.

King's College Provost Gillian Tett said the whole college community had felt the loss keenly, particularly the choir and chapel teams. She said the college's thoughts were with Harrison's family and loved ones.

Harrison had been an assisting organist at King's College. The college said he had been a music scholar at Ipswich School and spent three years as a student at the Junior Department of the Royal Academy of Music during his school years.

After his gap year organ scholarship at Wells Cathedral, Harrison went to Trinity College, Cambridge, as organ scholar in 2019. He later spent a year as assistant organist at Gonville and Caius College before taking up his post at King's in September 2024.

During his time at King's, Harrison took part in recordings, broadcasts and concert tours with the choir. These included two Festivals of Nine Lessons and Carols services and tours to Australia, Estonia, the United States and Canada.

The college said Harrison had been due to leave King's this summer. He had recently been appointed to assistant positions at St Paul's in Knightsbridge and St Michael's in Cornhill, two London institutions from which he was preparing to begin a freelance career as a pianist, organist and conductor.