St John's Organ

The first record of any organ of any kind in the Church was a kind of barrel organ worked by handle, and playing a very limited number of tunes. Later a small organ was erected in the gallery and remained there until the enlargement of the Church in 1885. This was then disposed of to St. John's Church in Briggate, and the present two-manual instrument was installed in the Chancel by one of the finest organ builders in the Country, Foster and Andrews of Hull; famous for its quality of construction and pipe-work.

This instrument had of course a hand pump, but a mechanical blower was installed in 1938, and the whole instrument was largely rebuilt in 1951 by Nelsons of Durham. This firm replaced what would have been a fine mechanical action with a pneumatic system which has progressively deteriorated during the last 50 years. However, the organ has a classical sound, greatly revered in the district and particularly well suited to the Church; so in 1995 an Organ Fund was set up in order to begin major renovations in stages.
In 1997 the first stage of electrifying and restoring the pedal action was completed. This work involved removing all the Pedal Pipes, soundboards and valves for restoration. The pneumatic motors could then be dispensed with, and a new transformer/rectifier fitted, along with jacks to the pedal board, before all the pipes could be put back in place. There was then a delay before the next stage due to troubles with the swell organ which required attention without delay.

However, in 2000 the restoration of the wind system with associated trunking and blowing plant was completed. This again involved the organ being out of action for some time, during which the bellows were completely taken away for repair and renewal before re-fitting in the vestry (which had been added to the Church in the enlargement carried out in 1885). Originally it had been anticipated that 4 or 5 stages would be needed for the full overhaul and electrification; but by this time it was felt that completing the work in one final third stage would be the cheapest and easiest way. Even so the cost of this is in the region of 25 to 30 thousand pounds (and much more in Euros!!!) and therefore the Organ Fund is desperately in need of "topping up" if this work is to be completed in 2002.

Mr Jackson, our Organ Builder and Tuner, was not able to commence the renovation in that year, so work did not start until late February 2003. At the present time many of the swell and great organ pipes are out in the church, and the soundboards are in the workshop. Already the display pipes at the front of the organ have been cleaned, and the new console is beginning to take shape with the new keyboards and pedalboards in position, and the new stops in position for wiring to new electric motors. It is hoped that late summer will see completion of all the electrification, so keep looking out for big celebrations; and more topping up of the organ fund!!

Colin Briggs