The Organ
The first mention on record of an organ in the church dates back to 1878, when major restoration work on the church was undertaken. At this time, the gallery which lined the south aisle was removed, and a space made for an organ chamber at the east end of the aisle. An organ was installed in this position in that year, with the organist facing south, as can be seen in the following photograph to the left.
A parish newsletter of 1895 details the foundation of an organ fund to repair the instrument, and four years later a notice was published regarding the commencement of work on a “new organ”. Further work was carried out by William Hill in 1916, and a period of 40 years followed without any major work being carried out on the organ.
In 1954, the then incumbent rector John F. J. Ware decided that it would be desirable to relocate the instrument to the west end of the church, in order to open up the ancient south east corner of the aisle. Thanks to a generous donation from local benefactors Major C. R. and Mrs Peckitt, this work was made possible and the contract awarded to J.W. Walker and Sons. The organ was subsequently relocated under the tower at the west end, along with a new oak screen underneath the instrument. Much of the old instrument was re-used, the former painted façade pipes still extant inside the instrument (and can just about be seen behind the present façade). Many additions and improvements were made to the organ, and this major work was completed by October of 1955, when an opening recital by Alwyn Surplice, organist of Winchester Cathedral, was given. The new detached console remained at the east end of the south aisle. The organ now consisted of two manuals and pedals, and 28 speaking stops. The organ chamber itself is divided into two levels; the lower level contains the bellows and much of the pedal pipework (laid horizontally), with the Great pipework on the upper level with the Swell box behind it, and the larger Pedal Violone pipes to the right. The Pedal Violone pipes are notable for being built utilising the 'Haskell' principle.
In 1973, the organ was cleaned and restored, and the console re-sited at a cost of £860. In 1984, the organ was developing major faults, and it was decided upon to embark on another restoration. This was preceded by work upon the tower walls in which loose plaster was removed before the walls were damp-proofed and replastered. The organ restoration was carried out in two phases by the Brighton firm of Morgan and Smith in 1986 and 1988, costing a total of £6800. Since this date, little work has been carried out. The console has been turned so that the organist now faces east, making visibility between choir and organist much easier. In 2013, the console underwent repair work and was treated for woodworm damage. Changes were also made to allow the Swell box to remain open when the organ is switched off, allowing a more stable temperature between the two divisions, thus ensuring they stay in tune with each other more readily. The organ is currently in the care of F.H. Browne and Sons of Canterbury.
The organ specification is available on the National Pipe Organ Register here.
CONTINUE to the Tower
A parish newsletter of 1895 details the foundation of an organ fund to repair the instrument, and four years later a notice was published regarding the commencement of work on a “new organ”. Further work was carried out by William Hill in 1916, and a period of 40 years followed without any major work being carried out on the organ.
In 1954, the then incumbent rector John F. J. Ware decided that it would be desirable to relocate the instrument to the west end of the church, in order to open up the ancient south east corner of the aisle. Thanks to a generous donation from local benefactors Major C. R. and Mrs Peckitt, this work was made possible and the contract awarded to J.W. Walker and Sons. The organ was subsequently relocated under the tower at the west end, along with a new oak screen underneath the instrument. Much of the old instrument was re-used, the former painted façade pipes still extant inside the instrument (and can just about be seen behind the present façade). Many additions and improvements were made to the organ, and this major work was completed by October of 1955, when an opening recital by Alwyn Surplice, organist of Winchester Cathedral, was given. The new detached console remained at the east end of the south aisle. The organ now consisted of two manuals and pedals, and 28 speaking stops. The organ chamber itself is divided into two levels; the lower level contains the bellows and much of the pedal pipework (laid horizontally), with the Great pipework on the upper level with the Swell box behind it, and the larger Pedal Violone pipes to the right. The Pedal Violone pipes are notable for being built utilising the 'Haskell' principle.
In 1973, the organ was cleaned and restored, and the console re-sited at a cost of £860. In 1984, the organ was developing major faults, and it was decided upon to embark on another restoration. This was preceded by work upon the tower walls in which loose plaster was removed before the walls were damp-proofed and replastered. The organ restoration was carried out in two phases by the Brighton firm of Morgan and Smith in 1986 and 1988, costing a total of £6800. Since this date, little work has been carried out. The console has been turned so that the organist now faces east, making visibility between choir and organist much easier. In 2013, the console underwent repair work and was treated for woodworm damage. Changes were also made to allow the Swell box to remain open when the organ is switched off, allowing a more stable temperature between the two divisions, thus ensuring they stay in tune with each other more readily. The organ is currently in the care of F.H. Browne and Sons of Canterbury.
The organ specification is available on the National Pipe Organ Register here.
CONTINUE to the Tower