Wednesday 29th August 2007
Dorchester Abbey will soon thrill once more to the sounds of its majestic pipe organ, as a major nine-month programme of re-fitting, voicing and tuning comes to an end.
With more than 600 pipes, new computer technology to extend its range even further, and precision tuning to modify aspects of its mechanical action, it promises to be a joy to play as well as listen to.
And for one man, to hear the magnificent 19th century J. W. Walker organ back on song will mark a very special milestone.
John Harper was a young apprentice with a Buckinghamshire organ builder when he was sent on his first job to refurbish the organ at Dorchester Abbey.
As he climbs down from the Abbey's organ loft to talk to me 50 years later (now with Peter Collins Ltd of Melton Mowbray) he reflects that this same instrument will be one of his final jobs before he retires next year.
'The organ, and the Abbey hold a special place in my heart,' he says.
'Working again on the organ is like meeting with an old friend and I have very fond memories of my first job here as a young lad. It's still a wonderful place to work in and it's marvellous to see how it has adapted to modern life.' On his first visit John remembers lodging with Mrs Atkins in Queen Street (whose granddaughter Denise still lives in the village), while his foreman lodged in High Street next to the Coach and Horses. Not that they spent much time there: 'We worked from 8.30 in the morning until about 12.30pm when we were taken to a restaurant for lunch. Then we were back at work until dinner at 6.30pm and often carried on again until bedtime!' Unlike the latest refurbishment the work was carried out in winter and the Abbey's heating has much improved, he confirms, recalling that the warm air heating of the time still required precision work to be carried out while muffled up in duffle-coats, hats and gloves!
John has been delighted to share his fascinating knowledge of the ancient organ with visitors as he works, enjoying passing on the history and intricacies of the grand old instrument.
The organ, for which the Abbey originally paid £642 towards the total cost, was first sited in the St Birinus Chapel with large bellows next to it. In 1980 it was moved to its present position in the gallery over the north transept and the bellows replaced with two smaller ones inside the main structure.
Current work has repositioned it further back in the transept and the gallery (which has also been re-designed as it was thought to be 'visually detracting' from the Abbey).
Once the organ is up and running again, John says it should be fine for another 50 years, though it will take a full year of returning to tweak and tune as the instrument settles into each season.
As congregations and concert audiences we can just sit back and appreciate its 'mild tone voicing' once again, from its first refurbished note this month. An inaugural recital is also planned for early next year.