Organ Appeal

Parishes of Brewood and Bishops Wood

Brewood Pipe Organ Appeal

Patrons: Sir Patrick Cormack - FSA MP Thomas Trotter - Birmingham City Organist

John Giffard - Chillington Hall nr Brewood Jean Martyn ATCL, LGSM, International Concert Artist

The church's beautiful pipe organ is in need of repair. Cost estimates for this restoration are being obtained and analysed, and the intention is to raise the money through grants, donations and fundraising events. It is hoped to have the pipe organ in full working order in time to celebrate its 100th birthday in 2011.

The Appeal Committee is a sub-committee of the church’s PCC, but it also has members from the wider community, its own constitution and bank account.

The Pipe Organ

The pipe organ is an original JJ Binns organ which was built in 1910, the console being added in 1911.

The electric actions were converted by W. J. Bird in 1951 although the original pipe work, which has been augmented with a new rank of pipes, remains.

The core of the Binns organ is still there. It has a Binns character and is musically a Binns although the mechanism has been changed.

In order to restore the pipe organ to its former glory, major restoration is now required on almost all aspects of the organ, from new keys to re-cabling throughout.

Why repair the pipe organ?

Most pipe organs are complex and unique and involve a great deal of hand crafting. Consequently they are expensive but long lasting.

Effective worship, supported by beautiful atmospheric music is a good base from which to establish a vibrant worshipping community.

Keeping an original working pipe organ in such a beautiful church in this historic village will help to maintain the quality and character of the building thereby enriching the experiences for generations to come

Fundraising

Some money has already been raised through donations and collections from funerals & weddings in the church.

Future fundraising plans include mobile phone recycling, charity shopping websites, pipe organ concerts and social events such as musical evenings, dinner dances and auctions. The Appeal committee also hope to source major funding from grant making bodies.

Contact Details

If you would like to make a donation to the Brewood Pipe Organ Appeal then please contact the treasurer Ian Carless by telephone on 01902 850829 or via email at iancarless@hotmail.com. Alternatively you may make an anonymous donation by taking it to The Vicarage, Sandy Lane, Brewood, Stafford, ST19 9ET.

If you feel that you could give some time to help the appeal by joining the fundraising committee or offering a service to help the appeal then please contact the Chairman, Richard Field by telephone on 01902 850822 or via email at richardfield44@btinternet.com.

If you need to send correspondence regarding the appeal please write to the Secretary, Mrs. Debra Bate, 19 St. Chads Close, Brewood, Stafford, ST19 9DA or email debra.bate@btinternet.com.

Organ Appeal Progress Report February 2009

Proposals and quotations for restoration work were first submitted by three highly reputable organ builders at the end of 2006. Following advice from the Lichfield Diocese organ adviser, Dr Jim Berrow, who is one of the foremost authorities in the country, the PCC are working with Lichfield to finalise the specification for the project. Updated quotations are being obtained and a faculty application is being prepared.

Thanks to generous donations, to local fundraising events and to several grants from small charitable trusts, a total of £28,000 has been raised or pledged to date. Particular tribute must be paid to Jean Martyn for her 12 hour ‘Organathon’. More than 500 people visited the church during the day to listen to music of many different styles. This was a spectacular occasion which raised over £5,000 and demonstrated the extent of support from village folk and from the wider community. An impressive quartet of patrons has been assembled, each of whom has made a significant contribution to the project. Letters of support and encouragement have also been received from several local and district organisations.

The appeal committee and the PCC are both very conscious of the financial support needed for the day-to-day running of the church. Whilst some further organ appeal fundraising events are planned, such as the postponed concert by the Lichfield Cathedral choristers, the emphasis now must be on applications to the large charitable trusts and foundations who fund heritage projects such as this. Committee members are working hard on these and are fortunate to have help and advice from the South Staffordshire Community and Voluntary Association team based at their office in Stafford Street.

The concert given by the Lichfield Cathedral Choristers on 6th October 2009 drew an audience of around 120 and raised just over £1,500 for the organ appeal. Our thanks to the appeal and social committees for their hard work, and to those who couldn’t attend but still donated. Special thanks are due to Joan Hooson who made and donated a beautiful tapestry picture as the raffle prize, and to Joyce Bradley for her exhibition panels of the Middle School project and the organ archive material.