Organ Restoration Appeal 2007 - 2009
THE PROBLEM
Over the last two years, a small committee established by the PCC has been struggling with what to do about the church organ. In spite of the exciting and musical sounds that still seem to be coming from it, it is clear both from those who play the organ, and three organ builders who have inspected it, that:
a) the organ is in a very poor state, and
b) it may fail catastrophically at any minute
If the organ fails, we are likely to be without an instrument for a considerable period of time, and the cost of the repair will be at least £150,000 plus VAT. In the meantime, work has begun to raise money for the repair that we know, sooner or later, is inevitable.
However, in the last few months we have gained additional information. From a detailed inspection of the organ it is clear that even a major restoration will not improve it substantially, and even if the repair took place at great expense, it is likely that a further repair at the same cost would be needed within 25 years. It therefore seems that the plan to restore the existing organ does not offer the parish good value for money.
THE PLAN
(approved by the P.C.C. in September 2007)
Fortunately, as a result of new technology, and the imagination of Peter Collins, an internationally known organ builder with workshops in Melton Mowbray, it is now possible to refurbish the organ by combining the traditional pipe organ with a modern digital extension. This will offer sound designed specifically for St Mary’s, able to reach those in the main aisle without overwhelming those in the Lady Chapel aisle. In addition, it will allow us once more to open up the arch to the Lady Chapel, lighting the whole church. The illustration above gives an idea of the finished organ, seen from the North Aisle.
Some of the original pipes will be re-used—a saving on both materials and VAT. The plan is, once a faculty has been obtained, to remove those pipes and the remains of the old organ early in 2008, then build the new organ, and then in the latter half of 2008, to complete the installation. The whole work should be complete for Christmas. In the meantime, we shall have to make do with the digital piano.
When the old pipes have been removed, we shall take the opportunity to clean and limewash the church. It has not been done for some 20 years, and regular use, plus the installation of a new lighting scheme, has meant that the walls have become rather grimy.
Once this has been done, we hope that by Christmas 2008 we shall have a spectacular new organ, with an attractive pipe case concealing speakers for the digital stops, a bright and clean new church, a Lady Chapel arch decorated to match the chancel arch, and light flooding down the main north aisle from the Jesse Tree window behind the organ—a glorious sight not seen in St Mary’s for almost 100 years!
THE COST
To dismantle and replace the organ, and to redecorate the church will cost £120,000 including VAT—considerably less than the £150,000 plus VAT for the organ alone, which was the cheapest estimate to restore the current organ.
And although this is a large sum, we are already on our way towards it. Existing funds, and money raised so far means that we now have £35,000 towards the scheme. So all that remains now is to raise £85,000, which we shall do through the Organ Appeal, which was formally launched in October 2007
THE ORGAN APPEAL
The Organ Appeal will run for 2 years until the end of September 2009, by which time we shall have a new organ and re-decorated church, both fully paid for. And we are asking you to help.
How can you help?
You can do this in a number of different ways.
You can agree that over the two years you will either personally sponsor, or will raise funds to sponsor either
a) an organ stop (£500—40 only), b) a keyboard note (£100—180 only),
c) or an organ pipe (£50—500 only)
or any lesser amount that you can afford or raise.
In addition, if you pay income tax, you will be able to Gift Aid your sponsorship, which will be worth an additional 27% to the Organ Appeal. You will be able to sign up for one of these options through a form at the back of the church.
You can offer any surplus goods for sale on E-Bay, via Martin Jackson who will be happy to advertise them for you. The proceeds will go back to you, and again, you can Gift Aid them to the Appeal.
You can help to organise, or support with your friends the large number of events that will be put on over the next two years to raise money for the Appeal—and to give everyone a good time as well.
The Organ Appeal Committee and the PCC are convinced that the scheme being followed offers the best value for money for
Higham Ferrers. When completed, it will be the first combined pipe/digital organ of this sort in a parish church in this country, and will attract many visitors, as well as enhancing the church, both musically and architecturally.
Please support this Organ Appeal during the next two years, so that St Mary’s Higham Ferrers will be able to continue the rich musical tradition that was first endowed 550 years ago with the appointment of 6 choristers by the most famous of all of Higham’s sons and musical benefactors, Henry Chichele.
Ann Knight,
Appeal Chair