Organ matters - Organs matter!

Do let me know if a Contra Fagotto becomes in danger of being scrapped. I'd settle for a Double Trumpet  ;D

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I apologise. I am sorry. Publicly I apologise: I was not there.

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No need to apologise David. It was the likes of Non Playing Anorak who throw in snide comments from the comfort of their armchairs  :P

or this ? http://www.judes.org.uk/about/next-era-building-project/1878-hele-organ-st-judes-plymouth/

http://www.judes.org.uk/about/next-era-building-project/1878-hele-organ-st-judes-plymouth/

I'll wager it ends up on eBay ;-)

http://www.npor.org.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch.cgi?Fn=Rsearch&rec_index=D06600

Restored and rebuilt by James Collier, this lovely organ now resides at a church in Gothenburg, Sweden.

The pedalboard, a later addition, has been removed.

Quote from: NonPlayingAnorak on October 29, 2010, 08:03:58 AM
Really? Last I heard they'd discovered it wouldn't fit in the church at Abertillery, the whole project had stalled and the big Walker was languishing in a damp, draughty barn with little to no prospect of ever sounding again...

I don't think they will like you referring to St Michael's as a damp, drafty barn  ;)

If I may be permitted to say something here...

It is very easy for someone to hide behind anonymity and cast aspersions at the efforts made to secure the safety of this magnificent instrument, but when the chips were down, where were they when help was needed?

I personally went up to London at my own expense to help in the effort to dismantle it, and I can assure everyone that passing down 16' Open Diapasons through a grill opening from a great height was jolly hard work. Not to mention having to carry each pipe the length of the very large building.

The Vowles organ at St Michael's Abertillery is in quite a bad state of repair. It sounds nothing like it used to in its heyday, and quite frankly if I had to choose between spending money on putting it right and installing the 1920's Walker, assuming the costs were roughly equal, I'd save the Walker and scrap the Vowles.

In fact, I scrapped our decrepit Blackett and Howden in favour of a Norman and Beard for the same reason.

OK, I'll wait to be pilloried by Non Playing Anorak!

I can only assume someone has notified the NPOR with whatever details (incomplete) that they had. I can email and ask for some better photos and we can get the spec that way.
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The NPOR is correct. The chapel is Bethesda, Tywyn, post code LL36 9AE

Thanks for your comments. A friend of mine told me in glowing terms about the St John's N+B at Wimbledon, as we are attempting to rebuild one here in Cardiff. It sounded amazing in its former home, and I'm hoping that we might get the project finished this year.

A number of Welsh chapels had N+B if they could afford them. Ours didn't have a fifteenth until it was moved by HNB in 1965. The large rounded Open Diapason plus Principal could support a very large congregation of Welsh singers, underpinned by the sonorous pedal Open Wood.

There are 2 other N+B's under threat, but the listed building status of the chapels is giving them protection for the moment. The official line in Wales, where the final authority over non-denominational buildings rests with CADW is that not so much as a screw should be removed without CADW's sanction (which will not normally be forthcoming). My understanding is that it is assumed that listed buildings in the care of a denomination will be looked after with due regard to the listing, and that this includes the organs in them.

Once sold, a listed building, together with its pipe organ,  is then protected by the local authority, who can refer to CADW for guidance where alterations, including any removal of fixtures and fittings, are planned.

Unfortunately, sometimes the damage is done before the buildings are sold by the denomination, with some organs being savaged prior to the sale of the building, so that after the removal of the upperwork and reeds, there can be little argument when the new owner wants to scrap what is left. Just the facade remains.

I have the email address for the new owner.

I can only assume someone has notified the NPOR with whatever details (incomplete) that they had. I can email and ask for some better photos and we can get the spec that way.

Large scale 2m Norman and Beard in South Wales. I don't have the spec but its likely to be 16, 16 and 8 on Pedal, Great Diapasons 1 and 2, Dulciana, 8 and 4 Flutes, 4' Principal , 2' Fifteenth. There is an 8' Tromba aswell. The Swell goes up to 3 rank mixture, with Oboe and Horn at 8'.

Lovers of this type of organ will appreciate the all embracing warmth of the Diapason Chorus, the penetrating 16' Open Wood, beautiful strings and well voiced reeds.

I believe the action is all pneumatic.

The church want to get rid of it to make 'better' use of the space.

2m Tracker Peter Conacher & Co, Springwood, Huddersfield

Ped Bourdon 16'

Gt   Open Diapason 8', Dulciana 8', Stopped Diapason 8', Principal 4', Fifteenth, 2'

Sw  Violin Diapason 8', Salicional 8', Gemshorn 4', Oboe 8'

It has excellent quality pipework which is in excellent condition. The facade has ornately stencilled pipes, typical of its age.

The instrument is beautifully compact,  having been previously installed on a gallery, very close to the ceiling.

It has recently been professionally dismantled and could be re-installed 'as is' with no major work required.

http://www.npor.org.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch.cgi?Fn=Rsearch&rec_index=P00733

The new owner of the chapel advises me that:-

"the organ is still there, it is up for sale if you know anybody who wants it. The organist still goes in twice a week to play it as i also agree with it is a beautiful instrument"