The Organ restoration
The Benefactor - Herbert Dean
The Benefactor - Herbert Dean
The Benefactor - Herbert Dean
Herbert Dean was a major benefactor to St Chad's Church. He gave land to the church and also paid for the organ to be installed in memory of his first wife, Esther. The organ was dedicated on 20th May 1940. He is buried, along with his two wives in the large grave on the North side of the church. The field adjacent to the car park was pur
Herbert Dean was a major benefactor to St Chad's Church. He gave land to the church and also paid for the organ to be installed in memory of his first wife, Esther. The organ was dedicated on 20th May 1940. He is buried, along with his two wives in the large grave on the North side of the church. The field adjacent to the car park was purchased by him and conveyed to the church so that he would have an uninterrupted view of the church and his wife's grave from his home on the Comberford Road, known as 'Riftswood'. The house has long since gone and is now the site of the 'Riftswood' public House.
The Organ
The Benefactor - Herbert Dean
The Benefactor - Herbert Dean
The organ was built in 1940 (Op. 3055) by William Hill & Son and Norman & Beard Ltd. The organ is divided into three divisions, which the organist controls from the console. There are two manual departments or divisions, known as the Great and Swell Organs and one pedal department. The majority of the pipework for the Great and Swell Orga
The organ was built in 1940 (Op. 3055) by William Hill & Son and Norman & Beard Ltd. The organ is divided into three divisions, which the organist controls from the console. There are two manual departments or divisions, known as the Great and Swell Organs and one pedal department. The majority of the pipework for the Great and Swell Organs sit on two large soundboards. These are large wooden boxes which house the mechanisms that provide the pipes with the pressurised air (commonly known as 'wind') . Larger pipes that are too big to stand upright on the soundboards are supplied with wind from independent chests.
The mechanism that converts the player's pressing of a key to a valve admitting air to the pipe is of an electro-pneumatic action. Pressing a key on the console sends an electrical impulse to the organ electromagnets which open valves allowing air to escape from small leather primary motors, which, in turn, further leather motors allowing air to exhaust to the relevant pipe(s).
Renovation 2024
The Benefactor - Herbert Dean
Renovation 2024
Following the discovery of woodworm in some parts of the softwood panels in 2019, detailed inspections were carried out by three professional organ builders. Some repairs were carried out to the main wind reservoir, which had been damaged by the infestation, and insecticide treatment of all accessible softwood areas was conducted to contr
Following the discovery of woodworm in some parts of the softwood panels in 2019, detailed inspections were carried out by three professional organ builders. Some repairs were carried out to the main wind reservoir, which had been damaged by the infestation, and insecticide treatment of all accessible softwood areas was conducted to control the infestation. This was known to be temporary work that would delay the inevitable progress of destruction for a few years. The principle damage to the organ is confined to softwood panels, and, in the main, constructed as plywood boards. Whilst the organ is of a very high quality of construction throughout, plywood in the 1940's was manufactured using animal glues, which are highly attractive to the woodworm grubs.
Following discussions at District Church Council meetings, the decision was made to carry out major restoration and remedial work to remove infested and damaged boards, treat other areas with insecticide and overhaul much of the mechanical workings of the organ.
The work commenced on Monday 12th February 2024.
Sadly, and interestingly, this is no the first time woodworm has ravaged an instrument at St Chad. The original organ, of which we know little, was destroyed by woodworm and had to be destroyed, thus making way for the current instrument. Many of the original organ's pipes were made from Birch, which is a favourite of woodworm and furniture beetle. The only pipes that survived were the metal ones.
Help Our Cause
Your support and contributions will enable us to cover the cost of removing the woodworm and restoring the organ to full working order.
Are there any corporate businesses willing to help us with sponsorship or donations? It is a beautiful instrument and deserves to be heard for many decades to come.
renovation work
Preparatory Work
Preparatory Work
Preparatory Work
The inspection of 2019 revealed localised severe damage from woodworm activity. This image reveals significant damage to the Swell organ chamber at the point where the main wind is brought through from the external wind motor into the organ chamber. As will be seen in the next image, in four years this has resulted in total destruction of this panel.
Preparatory Work
Preparatory Work
Preparatory Work
In five years the same panel (viewed from inside the Swell box) can be seen to have disintegrated, leaving a large hole in the panelling.
Preparatory Work
Preparatory Work
Preparatory Work
Following removal of the Swell pipes from the North side of the box, a large hole is discovered in the panelling behind the pipes. Further investigation prior to replacing this panel was needed to see the extent of the damage.
Preparatory Work
Preparatory Work
Preparatory Work
When the softwood panelling was removed inside the Swell box, it became evident that the worms had begun burrowing in between the softwood cladding and the solid oak roof beams. It appears that we have caught this early as minimal damage to the beams was found. This should be successfully treated with insecticide.
Preparatory work
Preparatory Work
Preparatory work
Six beams, in total, appear to have been affected by woodworm activity. Presumably, this is because of the density of oak, making it difficult for the woodworm to burrow into, and the proximity of the soft, plywood panels containing animal glue products.
Preparatory work
Preparatory Work
Preparatory work
The first thing that had to be done was to remove some of the Great organ pipes in order to gain access. The image shows the first division of pipes removed allowing better access to the swell box behind.
the work continues
Swell box renovation
Swell box renovation
Swell box renovation
The Swell Organ expression box is a wooden room within the organ chamber housing the Swell Organ soundboard and pipes. There are a set of doors, or louvres, which can be opened and closed by a pedal on the console, allowing the organist to control the volume of the sound of this part of the organ.
Swell box renovation
Swell box renovation
Swell box renovation
Having removed the plywood panels that have been badly damaged, sanding down of the softwood tongue and groove boards is necessary to ensure that treatment with insecticide will penetrate any grub holes and also be absorbed into the timber to prevent re-infeststion.
Swell box renovation
Swell box renovation
Swell box renovation
The external parts of the swell box have now been sanded down in preparatioin for treatment with insecticide. The internal panels are currently being manufacture in the workshop and will be fitted this week.
Re-assembly
Swell box renovation
Swell box renovation
The swell box is now fully treated and pipes are being replaced in the swell and the pedal organ section. This week should see the return of all pipes to their relevant divisions and re-assembly completed to the entire organ. Tuning can then commence!!
Swell box discovery
Swell box renovation
Swell box renovation
Oh dear!!! Having nearly completed the work, we have discovered the little blighters have got into one of the deepest parts of the Swell Organ - the Soundboard. More work and more cost involved to eliminate them from this area. If you can help towards the cost in anyway please contact us or click on the PayPal button below..
Swell box renovation
Swell box renovation
Swell box renovation
Work is now on-going to eliminate the woodworm and repair the damage discovered in the swell box. Apart from the damage caused by the insects boring into the woodwork, frass and dead insect bodies have been blown through the pipework into the swell box causing variouis issues. The entire swell mechanism is now being stripped down, treated and repaired prior to re-assembly. We will then be looking at preventative measures to ensure we do not have a return of the insects when they fly.
Organ Restoration Fund
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