Striking organ sounds to return to Leamington’s parish church

Thanks to a donation, All Saints' church is able to reinstate a tuba in its organ that will enable the sound to be as it was originally. It will be a notable change as the sound will be much more striking. Vicar Christopher Wilson poses with the organ.
MHLC-14-08-13 Organ reinstated Aug34 — Thanks to a donation, All Saints' church is able to reinstate a tuba in its organ that will enable the sound to be as it was originally. It will be a notable change as the sound will be much more striking. Vicar Christopher Wilson poses with the organ. MHLC-14-08-13 Organ reinstated Aug34

The 1925 Hill, Norman and Beard organ at All Saints’ church was electrified in 1982 - but several ranks of pipes, including a solo tuba stop and a reed stop in the pedal section, were disconnected. Although they were left in the building, there have not been sufficient funds to fit them back in.

But now, a “generous benefactor” - so described by the church’s music group - has come forward and permission is now being sought to reinstate the historic pipework.

Church vicar Christopher Wilson said: “It would broaden the range of sounds that the organ can make. The beauty of the organ is that it can make such a diverse range of sounds.

“It’s some of the most striking sounds that we are missing at the moment. People would notice the difference.

“We have wanted to do this for a long time. If we can get this project to happen, it would create a lot of interest in the musical community. There is a lovely choral music scene - which includes the organ - at All Saints. The choir was singing the service at Lichfield Cathedral last weekend.”

In the mean time, the church is hosting a recital performed by David Williams on the current organ on bank holiday Monday August 26 at 11am, with works by Bach, Mozart, César Franck and Vierne. There will be coffee and cakes available from 10.30am.