Restoration latest
02 February 2010

The organ will be dismantled, shipped to Nicholson and Co. works in Malvern, where initially the parts will be assessed and those beyond further use will be discarded.  The remainder will be refurbished and the replaced ones fabricated in keeping with the Henry Willis design.  The original design and concept of the Henry Willis organs are generally available so the authenticity will remain although made from modern components.  After this stage the organ will be assembled with the restored mechanical action replacing the pneumatic action installed in the 1920’s.

Prior to the pipes being re-installed each will have been cleaned and checked for correct speech.  The restoration will include the building of a new console and the inclusion of thumb pistons to the design of the original by Henry Willis.

The restored instrument will include two additional stops, the Pedal Trombone and a Mixture on the Great Organ.  The current organ does not have these but after consultation with many experts it is considered that the inclusion of these stops will greatly enhance the sound of the organ.

On completion of the assembly and when the performance of the organ is satisfactory and acceptable, the organ will be dismantled and prepared for shipping back to Inverness.  Once there the organ will be assembled and the final voicing carried out with completion at the end of November.

 

Music Development Fund
02 February 2010

Since the last news the committee are pleased to report that the target to fund the restoration of the organ has been reached, however the effort continues to maximise the Music Development Fund.

The success of the fund raising has allowed the committee on behalf of the congregation to sign the contract for the restoration of the organ.  The contract has been awarded to Nicholson and Co (Worcester) Ltd and the start of the contract is Monday 12 April.

The first three weeks will be required to dismantle the organ and ship the parts to Malvern in Worcestershire.  The builder will then carry out the restoration returning the instrument to the original design by Father Henry Willis.  At this preliminary stage the restoration timescale is expected to be 7 to 8 months.  The last 6 weeks of this period includes the return shipping to Inverness and the rebuilding of the organ.  It is expected that the programme will be more detailed nearer the start of the work.

The detail of the funding is described in the Sponsorship section.
 

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