ORGAN OF THE MONTH 42: December 2005
Friends'
Meeting House, Bournville |
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Click on the thumbnail to obtain a full-size image |
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Now here's a rarity: an organ in a Quaker Meeting House! BOA member Margaret Bearman (see central photo) is the "Honorary Custodian" rather than the Organist - although she admits that she is allowed to play carols on Christmas Day. However, the organ is far from being under-used. In addition to the occasional wedding, it is extensively used (almost every day) for practice by several organists - when there are no "meetings" going on.
The instrument was presented to the Bournville Village Trust by Mr & Mrs George Cadbury in commemoration of their silver wedding anniversary. It was built by the Durham firm of Harrison & Harrison, and the opening recital was on 21st November 1915. At that time, the building was used for worship by several different denominations.
The latest rebuild by Harrisons saw the action converted to electro-pneumatic, but the organ remains substantially unchanged in other respects. This work was made possible as a result of more generosity from the Cadbury family, and also with the support of the Bournville Village Trust and Birmingham City Council. The re-opening recital was given on 29th November 1988 by Roy Massey.