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Lottery grant secures future of historic organ
AN EARLY Christmas present for a Boston Spa church has secured the future of its historic organ.
St Mary's Church has been awarded 50,000 by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to complete the work on the organ, following a long-running appeal by members of the congregation.
Fundraising events and donations from local people had already helped to achieve an impressive 70,000 to complete part of the work.
But the remaining money was needed to ensure a full restoration could take place, including putting the organ on a raised platform.
John Townend, organist and vice-chairman of the organ restoration appeal, said the news had received a huge round of applause from the congregation at Sunday's service.
He added: "We're really, really pleased because we had thought we may not succeed with the lottery bid, so this was the fairy on top of the tree. It's all we had hoped for.
"Although the organ is 135 years old, it was built like a tank and the organ builders are going to have a good time working on it."
Liz Etherington, chairman of the appeal, said: "We are so grateful to the local people, businesses and schools for their fantastic support and to the Heritage Lottery Fund for this major award."
Major refurbishment
The historic Forster and Andrews pipe organ has been accompanying services in the church since 1873 and is in need of a major refurbishment.
Efforts from the congregation and community ensure essential repairs could be carried out to the organ. The grant from the HLF will mean more work can be done to protect the organ for the future.
It can now be lifted away from the floor to protect it from heat damage from the boiler, which is housed in the crypt beneath.
Fiona Spiers, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Yorkshire and the Humber, said: "HLF is committed to funding projects that every community can take pride in and learn about their local heritage. The restoration of St Mary's pipe organ will ensure that future generations can appreciate, learn about and enjoy it as part of their local history."
The church can now begin finalising the technical details of the work, which is expected to be carried out in August 2009. The organ will be removed from the church for up to five months for repair, but Mr Townend said he is hoping to be playing it again in time for Christmas.
To mark the changes, a revised edition of the Church History will be produced and new interactive displays put up for visitors to get an understanding of the organ and its history. Groups of school children have already been visiting the church to see, hear and even play the organ, so the Educate and Inform sessions will also be adapted to include details of the work.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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