St Mary’s Church in Thatcham has come up with an unusual way of raising some of the funds needed to restore its 1865 organ. The instrument needs a complete refurbishment to ensure it can be played for generations to come.
Now the church is asking the community to adopt a pipe and help their pipe dream come true.
Curate the Revd Angela Brennan has been leading the project. Her father is an organist and as a result she took a keen interest in the instrument when she arrived in the benefice.
She said: “It is a ‘Bagpuss’ organ, really. We have some very skilled organists who know it well and know which bits work and which bits don’t. They are skilled enough to work around it, which is a blessing and also a curse as it does not demonstrate how much the work needs doing!”
It is hoped the adopt a pipe scheme will help to raise some of the £170,000 the church estimates is needed for the works to be done. Participants will receive a certificate and their contribution will be recorded in a commemorative book.
The aim is an external organisations, like the Heritage Lottery Fund, will provide some of the funds needed to complete the project.
Angela concluded: “Once it is restored it is going to be one of the most noteworthy organs in the area.
“The works will mean the organ can be there for the next generation to come. Once it is restored it will be fit for another period of use.”
Find out how the church buildings team could help your church restoration projects.