Parish of Leatherhead - Installation of the Thomas Parker Organ
all images unless otherwise stated, from David Oliver
| 25th Sep 2007:
Today saw the arrival of the supporting frame for our
Georgian Organ. This strong frame will support the weight of the organ over the vaults in the chancel. The organ installation is due to begin on Tuesday 2nd October. David Oliver photo: Mike Lewis & Andrew Cornish (from architects Brewer-Jewel) discuss the exact positioning of the frame) |
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Tuesday 2nd October 2007: A very dreary, drizzly morning, but loads of excitement at the parish church for the arrival of our Georgian Organ! Right on the dot of 8am a large removal van pulled up at the church and work started immediately.
David Eaton, Mike Lewis and David Oliver welcomed the team
from Goetze & Gywnn and within barely an hour the church
was full of pipes and assorted bits of organ ready for
assembly strewn across the pews as everyone mucked in with
the unloading. Very quickly the base was laid and by the end
of the day the organ frame was up and things were already
taking shape.
David Oliver
the organ arrives
Dominic Gwynn - Martin Goetze - Canon David Eaton
Director of Music David Oliver carries one of the pipes
Mike Lewis, who did the work on getting Heritage Lottery
funding, also has a go
organ bits everywhere
above and below - more pipes on pews
some stacked pipes
bits and pieces
the base
the organ case takes shape
front - more detail
bellows
the case from the rear
another view of the organ case, from the chancel
Wednesday 3rd October: Work on the organ installation progresses at a steady pace. Dominic Gwynn sets up the tracker action on the swell box, and after some 200 years the organ manuals are finally in place in the parish church, soon to be ready to play. David Oliver
the manuals
tracker action
fine adjustment
Thursday 4th October: With the organ structure and most of the action in place, the delicate job of adding the pipes is now the next stage. Our Georgian Organ is really starting to make its presence felt, and after a long absence, the pipes are once again starting to sound in the parish church. David Oliver
Dominic adds the frontpipes
Tim adds more pipes
Edward placing the pipes
Only stops to be added
A beautiful instrument
top of front case: Haslam
Friday 5th October: The team go home for
the weekend, what remains is connecting the rest of the
console, testing and tuning and adding the trumpet.
Frank Haslam
Tim McEwen - Martin Goetze - Dominic Gwynn - Edward Bennett: Haslam
Leatherhead Advertiser, Thursday 11 October
Centre group: David Oliver (Director of Music), Michael Lewis
(seated),
Canon David Eaton. Goetze & Gwynn team L-R: Tim McEwen,
Martin Goetze, Dominic Gwynn & Edward Bennett
photo: Francesca Rizzo, courtesy of the
Leatherhead Advertiser
18 October: Detailed work goes on. More views of the organ.
side view showing hand pump slots
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stops in place and labelled
keyboard
detail of finish on restored keys: click for image of
unrestored keys
detail of carving: Haslam
| Sunday
28 October Our restored Parker Organ was 'on duty' for the first time at this morning's 10.30 service. David Oliver played a selection of pieces by 18th Century composers Boyce, Stanley and Arne. It was the first time a pipe organ had been heard in our church at a service for over 25 years, and the first such occasion at which the restored keyboard had been played for 134 years. A very special day indeed. David Oliver is pictured here with Canon David Eaton. |
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Guildford Diocesan newspaper The Wey December 2007: text
Restoration of organ is completed thanks to lottery grant
The newly restored Georgian organ in Leatherhead Parish Church has now been returned and its inaugural concert was planned for November 24, with Westminster Abbey organist James O'Donnell. The extensive and meticulous rebuild at the hands of Goetze and Gwynne [sic] was enabled by a Heritage Lottery Grant of £183,000 and the enthusiastic help of congregational members led by Mike Lewis. "The instrument was originally built by Thomas Parker who is regarded as a 'doyen of 18th century organs' and was felt worthy of restoration," says the Revd David Eaton, Vicar at St Mary and St Nicholas. "They've done a very impressive job and I'm delighted that this beautiful piece of musical heritage has been restored to use."
page last updated 3 December 2007