Appeals

Organ Restoration

St Michael’s Harrison and Harrison Organ after restoration.  Photo © John Patten

Description

The organ was built in 1907 by Harrison and Harrison of Durham. It was originally located in St Leonard’s church Malton but subsequently moved in about 1950 to the present location of St Michaels, New Malton. The pedal section was converted to electric action in 1974 together with a new Pedal Faggot 16’ instead of the Open Wood 16’ by J W Walker & Sons Ltd. Additional expression shutters were also added to the swell box. In all other respects the organ is original and a fine example of its type.

The organ has two manuals, the Great and the Swell as follows;

Great

    • fifteenth 2’
    • principal 4’
    • saubeflote 4’
    • dulciana 8’
    • hohlflute 8’
    • open diapason 8’
    • bourdon 16’
    • swell to great

Swell

    • oboe 8’
    • horn 8’
    • lieblich gedeckt 8’
    • harmonic flute 4’
    • viola 8’
    • salicional 8’
    • octave

Pedal

    • sub bass
    • faggot
    • swell to pedal
    • great to pedal

2010 Renovation

The organ was entirely dismantled so that a full restoration could take place. All parts were cleaned, felts and leathers replaced, worn pivots renewed, actions etc oiled and greased. The manual was cleaned and polished and the pedal board repaired, cleaned and trued, and a new adjustable stool provided. The mechanical action was cleaned, repaired and checked. The wind section was fully restored and new leather fitted to the bellows. The whole of the two soundboards was removed to a workshop for cleaning, cracks mended and sealed, sizing in animal glue and all made true and flat. Then the pallets were cleaned, new fittings and felt added and placed onto the soundboard. The organ was  fully assembled and tested.

The restoration work was undertaken by our organ tuner A J Carter of Wakefield, West Yorkshire. www.ajcarterorganbuilder.co.uk

Work in Progress

Follow these links 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 for a series of information sheets and photographs showing the renovation work in progress during Feb, March and May 2010 (these are large files!)

(All photos courtesy of and copyright © John Patten)