ORGAN OF THE MONTH 97: July 2010
St
Mary the Virgin, Sedgley |
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The firm of James Chapman Bishop was established as early as 1807 in London, and is still operating from offices there and in Ipswich.
Originally designed as a 3-manual with tubular-pneumatic action, this instrument was built 100 years ago at St Mary's, Hurst Hill, Sedgley into a new organ chamber but incorporating some material from an older, smaller instrument. With the church boiler room being situated directly beneath the organ, it suffered from the effects of overheating, and was eventually reduced to a 2-manual with tracker action by Hawkins of Lichfield.
Plans are now afoot to restore and enlarge it back to 3-manuals with an electro-pneumatic action and state-of-the-art playing aids, but retaining all the Bishop pipework. Contributions welcome - contact BOA Assistant Secretary Nick Fanthom, who now plays here!