Caring for Pipe Organs

[Peter Jones]

How does your diocese care for its pipe organs?

You can see what we try to do here:

http://www.abcm.org.uk/Organs/Organs/organs.html

I raise this topic because of a past disaster in my own diocese (before we had procedures in place) and a recent disaster in another diocese - where a p.p. has broken Canon, Civil and Criminal Law,in acting in breach of a faculty granted by an Historic Churches Commission. (I'd throw the book at him! As to whether or not the Secretary of State will do so remains to be seen.)

[Hare]

How does your diocese care for its pipe organs?

You can see what we try to do here:

http://www.abcm.org.uk/Organs/Organs/organs.html

I raise this topic because of a past disaster in my own diocese (before we had procedures in place) and a recent disaster in another diocese - where a p.p. has broken Canon, Civil and Criminal Law,in acting in breach of a faculty granted by an Historic Churches Commission. (I'd throw the book at him! As to whether or not the Secretary of State will do so remains to be seen.)

Are these disasters "public" ? ie-did they make the press?

[JW]

A very useful guide and reminder. I would say that the NPOR seems to be lacking personnel at the moment. I contacted NPOR in October and subsequently spent some time surveying and photographing the Victorian organ at St Michaels in Chatham (builder unknown, rebuilt by N P Mander in 1963). It is still not on the register... This is a bit embarrassing as I had to convince the PP that it would be beneficial and would not lead to loads of spam emails.

Needless to say, I haven't bothered getting involved with the next unregistered Victorian organ I came across in the EW Pugin church of SS Henry & Elizabeth in Sheerness. And there are several other updates needed in the Medway towns - such as removing a couple of long-dismantled organs.

I think I read somewhere that a new director has taken over at NPOR so, hopefully, things will improve. Does anybody have further information?

A footnote on the care of the Sheerness organ - how can an organ be tuned once a year but nothing happens when you pull out the stops on the Pedal Department? Yes, I did put a note in the Tuning Record. Great to Pedal works but not the Bourdon or Bass Flute!!! Even if you do not use the pedals yourself, there may be times when a visiting organist is asked to play. The 16 ft pedal is one of the characteristic sounds of the organ and it is a shame if this is disabled.