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Ones for gin the other for tonic, the glasses are concealed behind the music desk. I do apologise for this post in advance, but we seem to getting overwhelmed by buttons and pistons. I played a toaster the other day and was highly amused by the fact that the piston osed remained lighted..... whats the point?

I have just looked at the photographs and there is just one blank stop head, yet the newsletter shows Tubas at 16 and 8 have been or are being added in 2008. Please Mr Mander can you tell us please?

Can anyone give me the history of 2 organ builders who were active in the midlands during the 70's and 80's. The first is L J Snell who rebuilt amongst other organs Rack Worcs, a 3 manual Father Willis which was electrified and moved under the tower, now unplayable and replaced by a toaster. Ombersley, this organs restoration is still an on going issue, its playable but supplemented by a toaster in the chancel. The second is Robin Wynn who rebuilt organs in the Coesley area, I have only played one of his and there were many pipes not inserted and the cable runs to the console are very amusing. Can I ask for information on these please, who did they train with to become organ builders and any thing else of interest.

By far a more superior piece of Widor

Adrian I could use those 13 pipes at Wordsley to extend the chipboard trombone down!!! Space would be an issue and also wind to blow them. B

Hi Adrian At least with the midi you will be able to supplement the Bass from the Rodgers until the Transept is moved. Just out of interest are the Diaphones still in situ? Barrie

Adrian, you have a better head for heights than I have!!!! Will the new organ be minus the 32' flues until the big case takes its walk, or will this be done after Easter? You have a busy time with the new Bishop arriving in March and Easter.

I think the Altar Organ was on St Pauls, are the pipes still there and where was this divison situated?

I can't find the organ listed on NPOR, does anyone have details?

There are several In Shropshire, Hodnet is interesting as it has a detached console situated between the 2 cases, perhaps a more typical example of their works is Childs Ercall details of both are on NPOR.

Madeley is still in situ, although it has been replaced by a Makin Toaster, the speakers of which are in the pipeorgan case. The displaced pipes are stored in the roof of the church for such time as the organ is restored. I knew tis organ after it had been restored by an obscure firm, Fisk comes to mind but I stand to be corrected. Being located in a gallery it produced a nice sound but was inadequate for the building. It was replaced when the church became "Happy clappy". Nicholson and Lord produced good solid instruments which served the churches well. Their opus magnum was Walsall Town Hall.

I never played it in its format there but remember it well when it was in The Redeemer Hagley Road, it always seemed to be a fine instrument. I did hear many stories about its installation at Erdington, and reports about it were very mixed. The organ I play at Wordsley was rebuilt by Sheffield, who carried out the work at Erdington. We are now experiencing action problems and the whole organ is, slowly in stages, having these problems corrected. I totally agree with the comments made about the Church being a place of Worship, the organ being an aid to this, not the beggining and end of everything. I cannot understand why churches often have instruments hostoricall restored, when they will be totally useless in the modern litturgy. China has the best answer, they have a museum, when a local methodist church closed with a 3 manual N&B, my friend and colleague Paul Carr battled to save the organ and eventually it was moved to China where it lives on. Incidentally not far from where that church stood there is a redundant cinema, being used as a warehouse, under a mound of items there is in the pit a 3 manual Christie console the pipework being safe and intact for the time being in 2 chambers high in the cinema. We tried to acquire this organ for China, but the asking price for it was unrealistic. Lets hope it doesnt get vandalised.

Yesterday, 4.10.07, St Barnabus Erdington was totally destroyed by fire, the only section that remains intact is the bell tower, arson is suspected and is being investigated by the authorities. Sadly the 4 manual organ and its console built by HNB for The Church of the Redeemer Hagley Road Birmingham, installed in the church a few years ago by Sheffields was destroyed in the fire. There are plans already to rebuild the church, which was about to celebrate its 150th Aniversary next year, let us hope the organ does not get a secondary place in these plans.

The pedal on the organ in question is on the left next to the Choir and its very easy to mistake it, I agree it would have been better left "silent". There is an indicator light to advise when the Tuba comes on, are ears no use????

I recently played for a funeral at a church not far from me and was highly amused by a white plastic labelon the left hand side of the music desk stating; BEWARE CRESCENDO PEDAL. Whatever next? DO NOT FEED THE ORGANIST The list could go on.

Barry Williams book "Everything else and organist should know" will put you on the right track. During a recent interregnum the PCC wanted to alter my contract they even consulted the Archdeacon who agreed that they could, until I quoted several extracts from this book, Ive never seen an Archdeacon back track so quickly!!!!

Ill find out his full name but it was the property of his church, he would have to be Anglicanish to be linked to us B

My Parish has recently had a visit from Pastor Michael from Magdeburg and he was telling me the builders stayed in accomodation provided by his church, being nosey I looked at the scheme and it seems to be a mighty instrument. I will eagerly await recordings of it.

Try and contact Anthony Bogdan he has a website or Phoenix

Doesnt Vierne and Widor qualify?

It is very unfortunate that we have reached this state, when a Church is no longer regarded as "Sacred" ground. My own church is kept locked and many times when locking up I have been asked by people if they could pray, often then are very distressed. We do have the building open on a regular basis for private prayer but how could 2 elderly ladies on the rota cope with something like this? The answer is they couldnt. A friend of mine gives regular recitals at my church and has often been distracted by bangings on the doors in the evening which can be very un nerving, it seems the mindless "little" people find the steps good to sit on whilst consuming cans of lager. This situation is very general, even security lights do not seem to deter them.

Adrian are there any pictures of the Hope Jones console? B

Get a supply of neck warmers then!!!!!! What ever you do in the Church you will always get negative comments. All the way through the winter we have run the heating in my church and many have complained that its still cold. B

Will there be 2 consoles with one operating both instruments?

I would imagine Worcester is rather worried about this situation, Adrian Lucas and Mr Tickell were on Sky News a few days ago, it looks as if the scheme is in jeopardy unless this is resolved.