The Organ
The original organ was built by Robert Postill of York in the late 19th century. It was a one manual Tracker Action instrument, without pedals, and was sited in the south aisle. In the early 1900s fashions changed and it was decided to rotate the organ through 90 degrees to project the sound into the chancel. Nelson's of Durham were engaged to enlarge the organ by adding a swell and pedal department and rotate it. Nelson's used the latest technology of the day which was a pneumatic action. Basically they built a new organ inside the old one, adding to the Postill work and enlarging the case.
The instrument has been like this for a hundred years probably being overhauled every 20 years or so. The last clean and overhaul had taken place in the 1980s. Unfortunately, since then, the action of the swell organ became very unreliable with notes not sounding or speaking very slowly and the fact that two different actions had been used made it quite difficult to play. The tracker action of the Great Organ was far more reliable but the soundboards of this department had deteriorated badly.
The Organ Appeal raised £49,749, and together with £50,000 taken from the reserve fund, the urgently needed work was able to commence in July 2008.
We engaged Mr Geoffrey Coffin of York to rebuild the organ and turn it back through 90 degrees to its original position. The action was restored to all tracker which is far more reliable. A new "mixture" stop was added to the Great Organ to complete it, this being originally planned by Postill but never completed.
This work has brought back the organ's original tone and will ensure it will give us another hundred years of reliable service.
Photos of the Organ Restoration
The instrument has been like this for a hundred years probably being overhauled every 20 years or so. The last clean and overhaul had taken place in the 1980s. Unfortunately, since then, the action of the swell organ became very unreliable with notes not sounding or speaking very slowly and the fact that two different actions had been used made it quite difficult to play. The tracker action of the Great Organ was far more reliable but the soundboards of this department had deteriorated badly.
The Organ Appeal raised £49,749, and together with £50,000 taken from the reserve fund, the urgently needed work was able to commence in July 2008.
We engaged Mr Geoffrey Coffin of York to rebuild the organ and turn it back through 90 degrees to its original position. The action was restored to all tracker which is far more reliable. A new "mixture" stop was added to the Great Organ to complete it, this being originally planned by Postill but never completed.
This work has brought back the organ's original tone and will ensure it will give us another hundred years of reliable service.
Photos of the Organ Restoration
