This organ is a remarkable survivor from the early 1800s. It is an obvious candidate for a true restoration. The work carried on in 1978 was not as conservative as it would be nowadays and was clearly done to a tight budget.
For most of the organ, the way forward is obvious and should not be controversial. It involves repairing the existing material to put it back into good working order, reinstating the original specification using new reed pipes based on the surviving fragments, and making new flue pipes for the missing bottom four notes of the GG compass. Any inferior work dating from 1978 will be remade in the style of the original.
The only contentious area, we feel, is the pedal organ. The compass has changed over the years to reflect a move towards the standard C compass. While it would be possible to recreate a GG compass pedal organ, much of the design would be conjectural and the result would be unused by the average parish organist. Had the original material survived without change then we would of course recommend its retention. That is not the case and we think the best course of action is to maintain the status quo but replace the 1978 plywood and chipboard chest by one in more appropriate materials.
The present pitch is close to standard, indicating that the organ has probably been repitched when tuning slides were fitted. The slides are now very rusty. To prevent future damage to the delicate old pipework, we recommend that new slides be fitted rather than soldered-on tops to convert the pipes to cone tuning.
The bottom four pipes of each rack have been discarded at some time to convert the compass from GG to CC. The bottom eight pipes of the Great Open Diapason stand at floor level; now there are only four. New pipes can readily be made to matching scale and composition, likewise for the remaining pipes for which there are holes on the soundboards.
The bass pipes of the Great Trumpet, added in 1978, are second-hand Oboe pipes from another organ. They are spotted metal unlike all the other pipes in this organ including the fragments of reed pipes. We will manufacture a new Trumpet bass in plain metal to match the scale of the surviving trebles.
New pipes will be made for the missing Choir Cremona, Swell Trumpet and Swell Hautboy. Surviving blocks, boots and shallots will be incorporated. Scales will be taken from the surviving fragments.
The compositions of the Great Mixture and Sesquialtera were altered in 1978 and are peculiar. They will be revised based on the evidence of the pipes, rackboards and contemporary examples.
The remaining pipes will be repaired as found necessary. All will be put back on correct speech by our specialist reed and flue voicers.
According to records, the soundboards were repalleted but not fully overhauled in 1978. We have therefore included for a full factory overhaul.
Work on the soundboards will be needed to accommodate the three new reed stops. Veneers will be removed from rackboards where the latter have survived. Where the originals are missing, we will make new rackboards to match the old in solid timber. The Great Trumpet rackboard is block board and will be replaced.
The Heath-Robinson spring arrangement on the slider action of the front Swell stops will be discarded.
The key, pedal and stop actions will be taken to the factory and carefully renovated, retaining as much of the original material as possible. Any broken parts will be repaired and bearings will be recentred.
Grained plastic key coverings were used in the 1978 renovation. We have access to a small supply of new ivory that can be used subject to it remaining available at the time of the restoration. Failing that, we will endeavour to use reclaimed ivory. Otherwise we will agree a suitable substitute. Undue side play of the keys will be taken up by wedges.
The pedalboard will be renovated. Excess side play will be taken up. Worn or hard felt will be replaced. Playing surfaces will be refaced. Springs will be reset.
The Swell Piccolo 2ft. and 1ft. stop knob inserts will be re-engraved for the restored Swell Trumpet and Hautboy.
Damaged console timbers will be repaired.
A new chest will be made for the Bourdon trebles using solid timber in place of the present plywood and chipboard chest. Conveyancing will be of pipemetal instead of the present paper Kopex tubing. The bass chest will be renovated.
The reservoir is of the double rise type but the ribs are not inverted. It was releathered in 1978. The leather is quite sound but a little dry. If the client wishes, we can releather it again while the organ is dismantled but this has not been included in the present offer.
Wind trunks will be inspected for soundness and repaired as necessary. Conveyancing and pipe blocks will be checked and repaired.
The blower is a BOB Ltd. machine, approximately 40-50 years old. It runs sweetly and is suitable for further use. It is capable of supplying full organ without ‘playing out’.
The blower cabinet is riddled with woodworm holes. This is due to the resin used in early plywood that was attractive to the insects. The box is lined with a material we understand to be asbestos. The blower will be removed from the box and the latter discarded safely. A new box will be made of plywood with heavy sound insulation. Modern plywood has additives in the resin that makes it unattractive to woodworm. No other woodworm was found in the course of the inspection but any that does come to light will be brush treated at no extra cost. Replacement of seriously affected timbers would be at additional cost.
The wind control tends to stick, causing a jerky action. It will be dismantled and dry lubricated.
Repairs will be carried out. Shutters trued and bearings recentred. The trigger swell pedal and trundles will be checked over and repaired.
Damaged timbers, hinges etc will be repaired. The grained finish on the softwood timbers will be cleaned and any damaged areas painted and grained to blend in. The case pipes have been bronze painted. Ideally, they should be rubbed down, undercoated then gold leaf applied. This is costly so we have priced for Antique Gold paint, a shade that closely resembles real gold leaf. Real gold leaf can be applied at additional cost.
On completion, the action will be regulated and tested. Pipework will be regulated by our Tonal Director and fine-tuned.
Conservative restoration as described:
£105,180.00
(one hundred and five thousand one hundred and eighty pounds)
5% with order
15% on commencement of work
Three stage payments of 20%
at approximately monthly intervals
5% on completion of work
5% 30 days after completion of work
· VAT at standard rate (see enclosed leaflet).
· Transport charges for hired vehicles which will be invoiced at cost.
· Mains switches and electrical wiring and all connections from the mains electricity supply.
· Blower unit.
· Scaffolding.
· Accommodation and meals for our staff working at site. Bed and breakfast accommodation at a local guest house/hotel (not private domestic arrangements). Other meals can be taken elsewhere.
10th September 2007 -
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