Organ

RESTORATION OF ST MICHAEL’S ORGAN

Short History of the Organ

The original organ was built by Norman & Beard of Norwich in 1895 and contains some fine pipework. It was originally installed in the Chancel of the church.  In 1960 the organ was moved to its present position on the West wall, with a new two manual console in the Chancel where the old organ used to stand.  In 1983 a small chamber organ was constructed by Boullivant behind the console in the window recess of the Chancel.

Now, over fifty years later the organ has become very unreliable due to wear in the moving parts and leaks in the windchests.  Over the last five years we have been raising funds to completely refurbish the instrument.  The project will cost about £67,000.  So far nearly £60,000 has been raised through generous individual donors and from fundraising events.

Details of the work that we are going to carry out

The present organ will be dismantled and re-constructed carefully retaining many of the existing pipes and selecting other pipes from the organ builder’s stock to make a “brighter sound” suitable for both contemporary and traditional church music.  New consolidated wind-chests of direct electric pallet magnet design will be provided which will also enable the internal organ loft layout to be re-ordered to enable good access (see pictures).  The current console will be retained and refurbished with a modern digital control system linked by a small data cable to the Great organ situated at the rear of the church.  Utilising the digital control a “piston system” will be added to enable the organist to pre-set combinations of pipes to ease playing.  The organ platform will be retained but sympathetically detailed to match the vestry screen below.  The work will be carried out by Peter Collins Ltd of Melton Mowbray.  www.petercollinsltd.com

This picture shows the cramped installation      Interior view of Organ Loft showing               Console and the 1983 Boullivant                           The Nave or Great Organ

                                                                                           the haphazard layout                                             Chancel Organ

Where are we now?

A Faculty has been applied for and, if granted, work will commence in August and should be completed in time for our Christmas Services in 2011.  We still need to raise about £8,000 to complete the project.  If you can help, either by a donation, or through a regular amount each month for a couple of years please contact us.  Many pipe organs have been lost in churches.  We have been very fortunate that so many have given so much to ensure that St Michael’s organ will continue to lead worship for another half century.

Contact Roger Powell on 01296 415532, or email roger.powell@dsl.pipex.comfor more information.