Visiting Browne’s today, I had the opportunity to see how the new console was coming along. It is crafted out of solid oak and consequently should outlast all of us! There are, however, a couple of items that have been included from our previous organ console – in particular the pedal board which was already very high quality and has been stripped down and refinished.
There are a few photographs below – click on the thumbnail image for the full size picture.
Congratulations to Sophie and Mark for a wonderful Gala Dinner in aid of the organ fund. The menu had an Italian theme, with anti-pasta, Lasagne, profiteroles and Winter Berry Mess.
The photos below give a ‘flavour’ of the evening.
I had the opportunity to visit Browne’s workshop again today to get an update on how things were progressing. You’ll be able to see a number of things from the pictures below, in particular:
Over the next couple of weeks, the new console will be assembled and wired up. Once this is done it can be connected to the soundboards, and the pipework carefully put back in. New soundboards will need to be made for the additional pipework.
It’s now over two months since Browne’s removed our organ and took it to their workshops for repair. All of the pipework has been cleaned, with dents rounded out and splits repaired. The photographs below show repairs to the casework, where wood with active woodworm had to be completely removed. There are also photos of repairs made to the pneumatic motors that let air into the pedal pipes.
Work is now progressing with the construction of the new console and platform, so I will be returning to the workshop in a couple of weeks to see how things are going. Once this is constructed, pipework can be put back into place and we will be able to hear our organ sing again!
With thanks to Stephen Bailey, Director of F H Browne & Sons, for permission to reproduce his photographs.
This week, the organ builders have installed a small temporary pipe organ in church to accompany our services whilst our organ is being rebuilt.
Photographs from the final day of dismantling the organ, ready to be taken to Browne’s workshop in Ash, near Sandwich.
Photographs showing the how the organ builders are getting on removing our organ to take to their workshop in Ash.
Work has now begun removing the organ from the church. It has been carefully packaged into crates, and these will be transferred to Browne’s workshop in Ash at the end of this week.
Below are some photographs showing the progress of removing the organ for repair at the end of day 1.
St Stephen’s are supporting Canterbury Food Bank and there is a yellow bin in the porch where you can leave donations. Please have a look at the Canterbury Food Bank website for more information, including a ‘shopping list’ of what donations are needed.
Over recent times you may have noticed more and more strange noises coming from the organ — notes sticking or playing when they should not, and some which are not playing at all (not always Steve playing the wrong notes!). Our organ will be 50 years old next year, and like any piece of mechanical or electrical equipment is in need of an overhaul and modernisation. There is a meeting to which anyone with an interest in the music of our parish is invited this coming Friday at 7 p.m. to explain the proposed works, with the opportunity to ask questions. At the end of the meeting the PCC will decide how to proceed. We look forward to seeing many of you there.