CHINGFORD PARISH CHURCH ORGAN

SPECIFICATION

1908 Norman & Beard; rebuilt 1965 by Wm. Hill & Son and Norman & Beard Ltd; New Transmission and solid-state capture piston system with addition of general pistons 1998 by J.W.Walker & Sons Ltd.

Compass: Manuals CC - C  61 notes. Pedals CCC - G  32 notes

Accessories

Six thumb pistons to the swell organ (duplicated by toe pistons)                                Thumb piston for oboe solo 8'

Six thumb pistons to the great organ                                                                        Reversible thumb piston for pedal trombone

Six thumb pistons to the choir organ                                                                        Thumb piston General Cancel

Six toe pistons to the pedal organ                                                                            Thumb piston Setter

Eight general pistons to the whole organ                                                                   Drawstop - great & pedal pistons coupled

Swell to pedal reversible thumb piston                                                                      Two rotary switches for 8 - level memory 

Great to pedal reversible thumb piston (duplicated by toe piston)                                selectors: dep. pistons / gen. pistons

Choir to pedal reversible thumb piston                                                                      Closed circuit television screen

Swell to great reversible thumb piston (duplicated by toe piston)

Choir to great reversible thumb piston

Swell to choir reversible thumb piston

A BRIEF HISTORY

The first organ in the Parish Church was a small instrument sited in the gallery. When the new Chancel was added, east of the arch, this organ was no longer adequate, so in 1908 Norman & Beard installed the first instrument in the present position. Though incomplete it cost around £580 and was blown by a hydraulic motor which was in use up to 1929. By 1913 the organ was complete and, apart from the addition of a swell mixture, double diapason, pedal trombone and a new pedal board in 1932 & 1935 by R. Spurden Rutt & Co, remained unchanged until January 1965, when a major rebuild began.

The old organ specification was very much of its time, with a profusion of eight-foot tone and some very heavy stops. The aim of the rebuilding, after essential works on the action and console, was to add upperwork, change some of the stops round from one manual to another, or from one pitch to another, remove the dead-toned stops and brighten some of the rest. The scheme was prepared jointly by Hill, Norman & Beard Ltd and the church organist; John Rippin.

In 1979 the instrument underwent a thorough clean and overhaul with some essential repair work to the swell soundboard; damage having been caused by subsidence. The organ chamber was underpinned and at the same time, crumbling asbestos lagging was removed from old heating pipes below!

There has been no change to the tonal specification since 1965, neither is it considered necessary now. Although the organ is generally not considered to be of special interest historically or tonally, as a "Jack of all trades" for accompanying services (choral or congregational), recitals and teaching, it is excellent. It is possible to play the classical organ music of any historical period with some sense of authenticity, and with relative ease. Thirty three years on, the bulky 1960's relays and other electrical components were on their last legs, if not already cobbled together with bits of fuse wire, etc. The piston system; the settings of which could only be altered by a primitive system of contacts behind the console which had itself become more or less unuseable, had become insufficient for the demands now put upon it through increased accompanimental work in a large and varied repertoire by our three choirs in services and concerts. There are more recitals, and it is in constant use for teaching and practise by a number of organists. It was in recognition of this that the Arts Council of England awarded a substantial grant from National Lottery Funding, which combined with funds raised through the monthly concerts series enabled the 1998 work to take place.

The scheme for 1998, by J.W.Walker & Sons includes a complete clean and overhaul, with various repairs; the installation of a new micro-processor transmission system, a complete new and much more comprehensive piston system with the inclusion of general pistons for the first time, all having eight levels of memory; and the inclusion of closed circuit television to aid accompanying when the choir is conducted. There are also some alterations to the console layout. Although the 1965 console was of detached design (pending a possible re-ordering of the east end of the church), it is now considered best to leave it where it is and the temporary hardboard cladding which remained for over thirty years is replaced by a more permanent surround.

The scheme has been drawn up by the builders, in consultation with the present organist; Michael Emerson, Simon Winters (Assistant Organist), John Rippin, Ian Bell (Independent Organ Adviser representing the Arts Council of England), and Dr Graham Elliott (Diocesan Organ Adviser & Master of the Music; Chelmsford Cathedral).