BUY A CD AND HELP SAVE THE ORGAN To help raise even more funds for the preservation of this historic organ, a CD is being published containing a selection of classical works played on the organ. You can listen to a very low quality recording of the organ by clicking on the button below.
TO ENQUIRE ABOUT OBTAINING A COPY OF THE CD CONTACT DR. PETER COLLIER ON +44(0)1933 356656 OR BY E-MAIL
EFFORTS TO SAVE THE 19TH CENTURY ORGAN IN RAUNDS MOVE NEARER TO SUCCESS
The Parochial Church Council at St. Peter's Church Raunds has been working tirelessly raising funds to preserve and restore its historic 3 manual Conacher organ dating from 1893. A variety of fund raising, including concerts, the issue of a CD and other events have helped support the various applocations for funding that have been made.
SUCCESS SO FAR
THE BRITISH INSTITUTE OF ORGAN STUDIES HAS NOW APPROVED THE REGISTRATION OF THE ORGAN AS A GRADE 1 HISTORIC ORGAN.
THE COUNCIL FOR THE CARE OF CHURCHES HAS OFFERED A GRANT OF £5,000.
The PCC has submitted its application for a grant from the Heritage Lottery fund for the balance needed (£85K), having already amassed £10K itself. We have been told that a final decision will be announced on September 9th this year
YOU CAN HELP
By attending one of the concerts being held in the church. Details can be found on our what's on pages
You can also help by buying a copy of the CD that has just been released! FURTHER DETAILS CAN BE FOUND ON THIS PAGE.
Further details of the organ and fund raising events can be obtained by contacting Dr. Peter Collier on 01933 356656.
MORE ABOUT THE ORGAN
Throughout the 1890s John King-Smith (a successful boot manufacturer of Raunds) made several benefactions to St. Peter's church, including land for the school, renovation and extension of the peal of bells, and a prayer desk. As a keen organist, he also commissioned 3 organs from the famous firm of Peter Conacher of Huddersfield, the largest organ builder in England at the time. The first of these, a 3 manual instrument, was installed in King-Smith's own house. It was sold to the Methodist Chapel after his death, and though no longer playable, still stands there. The second, a 2 manual instrument, was installed in the church of St. Laurence at Stanwick, and is still in use. The third and largest was installed in St. Peter's church Raunds, where it is still in regular use.
Originally conceived in 1892 as a 2 manual instrument at a projected cost of £630, it was eventually installed in January 1893 as a 3-manual instrument costing £900 with 40 stops and an advanced (for the time) pneumatic action. The handsome oak case bears the carved inscription: "Given to the Glory of God by J. King-Smith, Jan. 1893"
The organ was renovated by Harrison & Harrison in 1970, but apart from the installation of balanced expression pedals and an electric blower, it remains in original specification with original pipework and action. It is generally regarded as one of the best recital organs in the county, and despite its age is still capable of impressive renderings of music of all periods, as confirmed by 3 prominent firms of organ restorers. It is however now becoming "tired" and in need of complete restoration to ensure that it remains in reliable playing condition for yet another century.
To this end, the Parochial Church Council has obtained restoration plans from prominent organ builders, and is now seeking restoration grants from the Heritage Lottery fund and the Council for the Care of Churches. An application to the British Institute of Organ Studies for registration of the instrument as an "Historic Organ" is currently under consideration. In support of these applications, and to demonstrate that there is strong local and regional support for restoration, a programme of concerts and recitals by local choirs and organists is under development at St. Peter's. For 2004, this programme will include concerts by the St. Cecilia Singers of Rushden, the Swarbrick Singers of Northampton, the Kettering Camerata, and recitals by organ scholars from 2 Oxford colleges. The first concert on January 31st was given to great acclaim by the County Youth Girls' choir (director, David Bray) and included organ solos by a prominent local organist, Mark Pescott of Kettering . It is hoped that this link with the county Education Services' Music department will be further developed in the future to embrace other youth choirs and ensembles, and will open up county-wide interest in the organ and associated concerts. The renowned international recitalist Jane Parker-Smith has agreed to give the inaugural recital on the restored instrument.
Further details of the concerts, when available, will be found on our what's on pages, or by contacting Dr. Peter Collier on 01933 356656 E-MAIL .
