Organ Roof Appeal at All Saints' Parish Church, Leamington Spa
Please help us raise £80,000 to re-roof the Organ Loft and Lady Chapel.
Our magnificent organ, one of the Victorian treasures of the town, was at high risk of water damage, given the state of the roof above it. We had to take urgent action and are requesting donations to help cover the cost. Can we raise £8,000 - 10% of the re-roofing cost - through this page?
You may have enjoyed listening to the organ at a wedding or a funeral, a recital or a Sunday service. Thousands of other people have, too - it's widely used and appreciated. It's also the instrument where we give our Organ Scholars their tuition, rehearsal time, and experience, doing our bit to ensure there is a new generation of church organists. We had a narrow escape earlier this year. A delay in the programme of works meant the old, failing roof was still in place when Storm Christoph blew over. Water was driven in. Thankfully the organ was sheeted over with polythene to keep out any dust from the roof works - otherwise we'd have incurred significant damage. We were less fortunate with the Lady Chapel beneath, which suffered damage, notably to the painted ceiling and the carpet. Please respond according to your means to our appeal for funds to carry out this essential work - not for our sake, but for the sake of the many people whose spirits are lifted as they hear this grand instrument being played. Details of how to support the appeal are below. The project cost seems expensive, and it is undoubtedly a great deal of money. A significant proportion of the cost has gone towards new stonework, essential for holding the flashings in place and keeping the rainwater out. We hope and pray that these repairs will last for generations, and that we will be able to access grant aid for the major repairs elsewhere on the building which are still outstanding. Thank you very much. We are most grateful. Christopher Wilson (Vicar) |
The gable apex cross, stored indoors for many years, will be returned outdoors as the finishing touch to the project.
|
The new capstone for the gable apex, which will support the cross
The story...
Last year, rainwater started dripping into the organ. Roped climbers found a hole in a part of the roof not visible from the ground, and covered it with temporary plastic sheeting. Slates and stonework are insecure elsewhere too.
Simon Tayton, a local organist who knows the instrument inside-out, says: 'There is a rank of pedal pipes (Salicional 16') whose bottom octave sits directly under one of the worst roof leaks. The wind-chest has completely failed due to water damage, and one or two of the pipes have old hymn books placed in their mouths to stop them sounding all the time.'
Beneath the organ is the Lady Chapel, a special place for private prayer and small services. It contains some beautiful murals painted by Blanche Marguerite Falcon in 1901.They show events in the life of Mary, Mother of Jesus. Some of our recent Christmas cards featured them. Their future, too, is threatened as the roof deteriorates.
The history...
There is extensive information about the history of the organ on the Organ pages of this website.
Last year, rainwater started dripping into the organ. Roped climbers found a hole in a part of the roof not visible from the ground, and covered it with temporary plastic sheeting. Slates and stonework are insecure elsewhere too.
Simon Tayton, a local organist who knows the instrument inside-out, says: 'There is a rank of pedal pipes (Salicional 16') whose bottom octave sits directly under one of the worst roof leaks. The wind-chest has completely failed due to water damage, and one or two of the pipes have old hymn books placed in their mouths to stop them sounding all the time.'
Beneath the organ is the Lady Chapel, a special place for private prayer and small services. It contains some beautiful murals painted by Blanche Marguerite Falcon in 1901.They show events in the life of Mary, Mother of Jesus. Some of our recent Christmas cards featured them. Their future, too, is threatened as the roof deteriorates.
The history...
There is extensive information about the history of the organ on the Organ pages of this website.
|
How to donate... Donations can be made using Paypal below, or via our JustGiving page. On PayPal, please include a note to say 'Organ Roof'. If you are a UK taxpayer, donations can be Gift Aided. Please complete this form and return it to us, electronically or by post to: All Saints' Parish Church Organ Roof Appeal, PO Box 163, Leamington Spa, CV31 1GF. (There is no need to do this if giving through JustGiving.) 
And here is the PayPal Donate button: |
Some testimonies...
Sacha, a recent Organ Scholar, writes: “Being an organ scholar at All Saints' was a fantastic opportunity to develop my organ playing skills within a choral setting. In particular, it was very useful to be given various responsibilities for playing during services, this helped broaden and enhance all the skills required by an organist. I really appreciated having very generous practice sessions as well as tuition - allowing me to really explore the instrument. Everyone at All Saints' has been very supportive and welcoming. I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the music there." Noel, a regular concert-goer, writes: “In these challenging times places of peace, reflection and sanctuary are much needed, but it is when the organ is being played, either on its own or as part of a service or concert, that this magnificent church becomes truly alive, providing an enriching and more complete experience to any visitor. | ||