“The church is now in possession of an antique instrument which has escaped the kind of alteration which so many organs of this kind underwent during the 1950s and 1960s.....The instrument is so lovely as it stands that I do not feel that I would want to see any further alterations made to it.” – Diocesan Organ Adviser

Why is the project needed?

The work to be done at Fletching

As early as 2015 it was recognised that attention to the organ would be due before long, to ensure that it remained in good condition and pre-empt any major problems developing. In 2022 the Diocesan Organ Adviser (DOA) was invited to make an inspection and recommended a full refurbishment, including workshop restoration of the soundboards.

After constant use for nearly 150 years, the time has come where parts have reached the end of their working lives and now need specialist attention to ensure they can continue to operate for another 100 years.  Of most immediate concern is the weakness of the lower range of the pedal division, which is not easily accessible until the organ is dismantled. Some of the organ’s inner components have probably not been moved since its installation and inevitably after this time need repair or renewal: leather and wooden items are particularly subject to wear and tear over the years.

Following the advice of the Diocesan Organ Adviser (DOA) we asked a number of organ builders to tender for the work. Andrew Cooper & Co Ltd of Ryde, accredited for this type of work by the Institute of British Organ Building, was selected as the preferred contractor.  The work is designed on an ‘as is’ basis, so that there are no alterations to the tonal character of the organ.

As such, it is believed to be able to give authentic voice to the English repertoire of the 19th century and in recent years has been used for a series of concerts including English composers lesser-known today, alongside their more famous contemporaries.

The key elements of the work to be carried out are:

  • Clean and overhaul all pipes individually

  • Strip down and refurbish slider soundboards

  • Re-cover pallets in in best felt and leather

  • Clean and check pedal chests and pedal jacks

  • Renew electro-magnets on the pedals

  • Re-leather the bellows

  • Supply and fit new transformer rectifier

  • Re-felt and refit the swell box

  • Dismantle, clean and repair the tracker action

  • Overhaul and repair wind trunking

  • Clean and adjust all keys; new felts and baizes

  • Replace console lighting and wiring

  • Clean and re-polish the draw-stops

  • Check for woodworm and treat where needed

    The work will take about six months (July - December 2025) to complete.

Project on track

Work has been going on since the summer to restore the 1880 Forster & Andrews pipe organ. Most of the pipes went to a specialist in Leeds while other components, such as the bellows, soundboards and pedals went to Cooper’s workshop on the Isle of Wight.