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Wonderful Organ in Danger

Started by Corno di bassetto, February 20, 2013, 03:08:59 PM

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Corno di bassetto

Lancashire/Manchester - Chadderton - The Magnificent Church Building that is St Luke's Parish Church in Chadderton just to the north of Manchester City Centre is under threat of demolition and in it is a wonderful 3 Manual & Pedal Organ only restored in 1986 - Originally a Wadsworth Instrument it was damaged in a huge fire (mainly Water Damage) - following the fire in 1954 the Church was fully restored along with the Organ which had a new console built and alterations/enlargements by Cyril Wood of Ashton under Lyne and again fully restored by George Sixsmith in 1986 including all new leather work and Electrical components/wiring etc!
I was organist there for over 25 years and it really is sad to see such a spendid instrument just sat waiting for the demolition hammer!
If you want details please just ask!
Mark Johnson

Peter

Dear Mark,

if you really run out of options, you may send me a message. I was actually looking for a medium sized house organ, but I have a laaarge barn that could house a substantial instrument.
Peter Gawol

David Pinnegar

Dear Mark

Thanks so much for bringing this to everyone's attention.

It's worth sending a message to Martin Renshaw through this forum - he's contributed posts on organ history here, although he really specialises in tracker instruments. It's also worth mentioning it to Matthew Copley either through the membership message system or through his website. There are other builders also who have their ears to the ground looking for instruments from time to time.

An instrument worthy of enthusiasm is really worth spreading the word about . . .

Best wishes

David P

Terz

I think I read somewhere that Matthew Copley had retired and the business under new ownership had moved to somewhere in South Hampshire (Liss?).

edward dove

Hello, I noticed you mentioned Matthew Copleys retirement. 

I can confirm that I have taken over Matthews Copleys' long running business.  Matthew has decided to retire after more than 50 years in the trade, he is, however, still sometimes involved but in an advisory capacity now.
I have worked with Matthew Copley and Organ Design for the past 18 years after having had the pleasure of being taught by him In Merton college.
We have moved the workshop nearer to my home in liss, Hampshire,  we are still very much in existence with some new work planned for 2013/14, as well as some rather interesting rebuilds booked in for this year.
We will be launching our new web site in the next couple of months, I'll post an update when its ready, please take a look, any feed back  is appreciated.
In regards to old instruments being discarded, we are always looking for good quality instruments that can be easily re-housed, or  houses/churches that need an organ! People are most welcome to contact me on the office No. 020 8390 5059 or by e-mail
info@matthew-copley.co.uk should they think there is something we might be interested in.

with thanks.

Edward Dove

clarin

Dear Mark:
We are looking for a church organ in Spain. Since 1936 no organ, was destroyed in the Civil War. I would appreciate to send us photographs and accurate measurements of the organ of St Luke's Parish Church. We have to assemble the organ in the choir and in that place no great height. My email is ximobriz@gmail.com

Thank you very much

Joaquim Briz

Alan Taylor

The churches website doesn't mention any closure plans??

Alan

Corno di bassetto

Hi Alan,
I can assure you its under threat of demolition possibly even later this year or early next!
So sad but I know its not the only one!
Cheers
Mark

David Pinnegar

Quote from: clarin on February 27, 2013, 08:05:26 AM
Dear Mark:
We are looking for a church organ in Spain. Since 1936 no organ, was destroyed in the Civil War. I would appreciate to send us photographs and accurate measurements of the organ of St Luke's Parish Church. We have to assemble the organ in the choir and in that place no great height. My email is ximobriz@gmail.com

Thank you very much

Joaquim Briz

Hi!

How are you doing with this quest?

Best wishes

David P