As the DOA concerned with the organ at St Bartholomew's Crewkerne, it is time, I feel, for me to put the actual present situation on record regarding this fine instrument. First of all though, may I say how good it is to find so many people out there who care sufficiently about this, and many other organ matters, to put pen to paper with their views and support.
When I was consulted regarding the installation of the Trompette en Chemade at Crewkerne, I expressed serious concerns regarding the action of the main organ which, in my view, needed attention quite urgently. This is now beginning to show me right, although I think it unlikely that the organ will become completely unuseable. When I was consulted more recently, following a request for "preliminary informal advice", I said that if, and when ,the organ became unplayable I would support the temporary installation (I would suggest no more than five years) of a digital instrument on condition that the Rothwell pipe organ must be put into good order. I also suggested that a fund should be set up to fund a restoration of the Rothwell organ as soon as possible. I have asked to see proposals and quotations from several organ builders and these have so far not materialised. It is also worth mentioning here that the blower is very noisy and I am concerned that it will need attention before long.
I visited the church on Wednesday 22nd June and can assure everyone that there is no evidence of a digital instrument in the building. The Bath and Wells DAC have only had the above request for "preliminary informal advice", There has been no application received or granted for a faculty concerning this matter. The Archdeacon of Taunton has asked me to include that the track record of the PCC is one of honest observance of process and law. As St Bartholomew's have very considerable financial commitments to fulfil concerning the roof of the church, I do not anticipate any further action regarding the organ for quite some time unless something catastrophic occurs.
Ray Willis, A.R.C.M, A.R.C.O. Organ Adviser to the Bath & Wells Diocese
When I was consulted regarding the installation of the Trompette en Chemade at Crewkerne, I expressed serious concerns regarding the action of the main organ which, in my view, needed attention quite urgently. This is now beginning to show me right, although I think it unlikely that the organ will become completely unuseable. When I was consulted more recently, following a request for "preliminary informal advice", I said that if, and when ,the organ became unplayable I would support the temporary installation (I would suggest no more than five years) of a digital instrument on condition that the Rothwell pipe organ must be put into good order. I also suggested that a fund should be set up to fund a restoration of the Rothwell organ as soon as possible. I have asked to see proposals and quotations from several organ builders and these have so far not materialised. It is also worth mentioning here that the blower is very noisy and I am concerned that it will need attention before long.
I visited the church on Wednesday 22nd June and can assure everyone that there is no evidence of a digital instrument in the building. The Bath and Wells DAC have only had the above request for "preliminary informal advice", There has been no application received or granted for a faculty concerning this matter. The Archdeacon of Taunton has asked me to include that the track record of the PCC is one of honest observance of process and law. As St Bartholomew's have very considerable financial commitments to fulfil concerning the roof of the church, I do not anticipate any further action regarding the organ for quite some time unless something catastrophic occurs.
Ray Willis, A.R.C.M, A.R.C.O. Organ Adviser to the Bath & Wells Diocese