AN HISTORIC church organ has been restored to its former glory thanks to a successful long-running campaign which has raised thousands of pounds.
The work on the instrument at St Philip’s Church in Webheath, Redditch was extensive and cost £11,648.
The whole organ had to be dismantled and every one of the 530 of the organ pipes were individually cleaned.
The bellows were realigned, all the casework was cleaned and polished and the gold pipes – which were on view – were repainted in metallic gold paint.
An updated lighting system was installed on the organ console using LEDs.
The restoration was carried out by Peter Spencer Ltd of Coventry.
The church’s organist Philip Jarvis said he was delighted the organ had finally been restored.
“We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who made the restoration possible.
“It is fantastic to see and hear the organ in fine fettle again.”
How was the cash raised?
The funds were generated through private donations, a ‘sponsor a pipe’ scheme where people paid £10 to have their name attached to a pipe and from other events and exhibitions.
In 2012 there was a talk on the centenary of the sinking of the Titanic.
In 2014, the church hosted a display relating to the start of the First World War and, in 2018, one dedicated to the end of The Great War was created.
In between that, there was a Battle of the Somme exhibition – in 2016.
In 2019 there was also a 75th anniversary of the D-Day Landings display when there was also an RAF Battle of Britain flypast.
The history of the organ
The organ at St Philip’s in Webheath dates back to 1890.
It was built by John Nicholson of Worcester.
The firm still builds organs today and is based in Malvern.
