W. G. Vowles Organ

The organ was first erected in the tin church that stood on the site of the present building and was installed in its present location in 1900.  Over the years, some alterations were made, including conversion of the winding apparatus from a hand-operated pump to an electric blower, the replacement of the trigger swell pedal with one of balanced type, the provision of tuning slides to the open metal pipes (except those that form the facade) and the lowering of the pitch to the modern standard of A=440Hz.  The 1996 restoration sought to retain the greater part of the organ in its original form, while making such alterations as would enhance the versatility of this delightful instrument.

Changes at the 1996 restoration include the replacement of the Great Clarionet 8 ft (c-g''' only) with a new full-compass Mixture, and the remodelling of the Swell Mixture.  The old Swell stop had the following composition: C-b = 15.19.22, c'-g''' = 8.12.15; and the new reuses most of the old pipe-work, but re-voiced.  The first balanced swell pedal was placed to the right of the pedal clavier and was very difficult to operate.  It has been replaced by a pedal located in the usual modern position above the middle of the pedal clavier: this necessitated the re-sitting of the composition pedals.  The console has been expertly renovated, the work on it including the re-covering of the white keys in bone to replace the plastic that had superseded the original ivory some years ago, and the provision of fluorescent lights, an adjustable mirror and glazed doors.  The facade pipes, all of which speak and belong to the Great Open Diapason and Dulciana stops, were re-decorated by Dr Christopher Berry.

Organ Specification

Built by W G Vowles & Co., 1886
Restored by Roger D. Taylor, 1996