Organ Restoration Fund.....

[oopsorganist]

Our organ is going to be sorted out a bit, cleaned mainly and what have you... apparently we need to raise about £5,000 ourselves in the parish. There may be some grants for the remainder of the work. (About £15000 plus I think although it's all a bit vague).

Any one got any good ideas?

[VML]

St Peter's, Gloucester, got Heritage Lottery Funding, but it's not my parish and I don't know details. If your organ is so worth restoring, it's a pity someone painted it pink, or have I got that wrong?

[Nick Baty]

If your organ is so worth restoring...

ROTFL

[VML]

The relevant thread, Nick, will have you rolling some more: It's, 'What colour is yours?'

[festivaltrumpet]

It is sometimes the case that recitals are held to fundraise for the instrument's repair.

There would be value in exploring this possibility, but it assumes many things, not least:
The instrument is not in such poor condition as to preclude this.
A audience of suitable size would attend.
One could get a recitalist at an affordable rate. Are there any suitable in the diocese, the cathedral for instance? Dr Lindley is the incumbent at Leeds Parish Church and a nationally renowned organist.

[contrabordun]

Hmm, we were having this conversation a few weeks ago, and somebody made the observation that having an organ recital to raise money is not necessarily going to raise very much money - most public organ recitals are very poorly attended*. However, having an organ recital to raise awareness eg as part of an appeal launch evening, with an exhibition, a meal, an auction etc etc will raise a lot of awareness and quite possibly a fair bit more money.

Sounds like splitting hairs - and in a way it really only comes down to headlining your poster Appeal Launch rather than Organ Recital - but it's the difference between asking people to do something they probably never do (go to an organ recital) and something they probably do quite often (turn out for a knees up in the parish hall).

This also has two further economic benefits. First, since you then aren't trying to get the organ buffs to attend, you don't need your eminent visiting recitalist - do it yourself, just play 20 minutes of the normal stuff you play on Sundays (however simple or otherwise) or find somebody who'll do it for a pint and the meal afterwards and so you save a fee. Secondly, your eminent visiting recitalist would have made the instrument sound fantastic as it is, thereby causing people to wonder why they need a restoration at all.

*a sad fact with the silver lining that the 3 pews in any given church from where the organ is clearly audible with all the bits in balance with each other are usually available to sit on

[organist]

Try a google search for some funding? I should have thought a pink organ might attract much interest?

[oopsorganist]

I think having an opening event that is not a fundraising Recital is a great idea. A sort of "Organ Fund Light".

The organ is very playable but one set of the foot pipes is not working. It is awkward to play (well that is my excuse anyway) and has a a heavy action on Great manual. Even without the care and cleaning it needs, we have been told by someone that is the best parish organ found so far. (I think that is out of three that have been looked at....).
It is pink. Pink emulsion. I was trying so hard not to dwell on this. But the gold livens it up. Pink and gold. Think Barbie meets Liberace.
Any volunteers?
( Looks at Docmttc meaningfully.......................)

[gwyn]

we have been told by someone that is the best parish organ found so far.

I wouldn't put too much faith in that iiwy.

[docmattc]

Pink and gold. Think Barbie meets Liberace.
Any volunteers?
( Looks at Docmttc meaningfully.......................)

I look terrible in pink and gold

[oopsorganist]

That was not what I meant!
How do you know you look terrible in pink and gold? (Are there any photographs?)

[organist]

Organist's wife picked up an attractive colour leaflet for the restoration of the historic Hill organ at Saint Nicholas North Walsham entitled Sponsor a pipe. If you would like it message me at woodhouse@sopten.demon.co.uk with your address and I will post it to you. The idea is to get people to sponosr a pipe for £25 and claim Gift aid on the contribution. For a taxpayer every £25 becomes £32!

[oopsorganist]

Thanks for all advice given - all good and going very well. Sponsoring pipes has been done and people responded well to this opportunity to contribute to the project. I forget exact figure but £19,000 raised so far. A miracle? Particular thanks to HallamPhil who contributed time to the initial event which was very helpful in inspiring the parish to work together on the project and also in drawing together churches in the area. Blessings on him.

Just bumping this thread up to draw attention to the date! Ho hum.

[Peter Jones]

Is there an entry for this organ on NPOR? If so, link please.

[oopsorganist]

Registered as RO1657.
Could give your address etc to search but tis a sensitive issue just now...... cannot do links though - sos.