Restoration hits the right note
AN organ literally held together with sticking plaster has been restored to its former glory ahead of a special rededication service on Sunday.
Work to restore the 119-year-old organ at Lynn’s London Road Methodist Church began in February, being carried out by specialist organ builders and restorers Holmes and Swift of Fakenham.
As the organ’s 800 pipes were being removed, it was found that sticking plaster, decorator’s tape and even a bicycle inner tyre had been used over the years to keep the organ - which was leaking air and had sticking keys - going.
The project has cost just under £30,000, with help from the congregation, events, free loans and money from The Fitzmaurice Trust, O.N. Organ Fund, Paul Bassham Charitable Trust, The All Churches Trust and The Pilgrim Trust.
In 2009, the organ was awarded an Historic Organ Certificate by the British Institute of Organ Studies, a member of the BIOS describing it as a “likeable mongrel”.
Of the revamped organ, organist Rachel Panton said: “The sound is beautiful. It is also reassuring that the organ will not let us down, and continue to be recognised as an enhancement to worship.
“There’s no reason to doubt this organ can, with care, give another 100 years’ service.”
Sunday’s rededication service is at 10.30am. It is also planned a recital, by Nigel Ogden of the BBC’s The Organist Entertains fame, will take place on May 25 next year.
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Weather for King's Lynn
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 26 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North
