St. Tudy Church Organ

Organist Dr Geoffrey Gibbons BEM playing the St Tudy organ

Prior to 1892 the only instrument available in St. Tudy Church to provide music was a harmonium. 

It was decided to replace it with a pipe organ and a mechanical action instrument was installed by Brewer & Co. of Truro. 

By 2004 it was clear that it was necessary to carry out major work on the organ and the Diocesan Organ Adviser recommended a complete rebuild as the existing instrument was beyond improvement.  

The work was entrusted, in 2006, to David Gridley of Penzance in consultation with the organist at that time Dr. Geoffrey Gibbons. 

The present organ is an amalgam of the Brewer organ and a 1954 Hill Norman & Beard organ from St. Francis Church, Solihull, which became redundant in 2004.  That instrument was given to Dr. Gibbons by the Rector of Solihull, and brought to St. Tudy in 2004. 

The new specification involved the use of most of the pipe work of both organs re-scaled where necessary. 

In 2008 the Viole d’Amore was added to be playable from Great and Swell manuals.

The original specification was completed in 2009 by the addition of a Large Open Wood on the Pedal. 

The entire project cost about £37,000 to complete.  Limitations of space have necessitated a small amount of extension work.

Specification of the Organ in St. Tudy Church.

Rebuilt 2006/9.

Great Organ:                   Swell organ:

Quintaten              16ft      Stopped Diapason  8ft      

English Diapason     8ft      Salicional               8ft

Hohl Flute               8ft      Voix Celeste           8ft

Viole d’Amour          8ft      Viole d’Amour        8ft

Octave Diapason      4ft      Octave                  4ft

Nason Flute             4ft      Stopped Flute        4ft

Quint                2.2/3ft      Octavin                 2ft

Super Octave           2ft      Trompette             8ft

Tierce                1.3/5ft                   

Pedal Organ:                      Couplers:

Large Open Wood  16ft         Great to Pedal

Bourdon               16ft         Swell to Pedal

Bass Flute              8ft         Swell to Great

Principal                 8ft         Swell Octave

Choral Bass            4ft         Swell Sub-Octave

                                          Swell Unison Off

Accessories:   

Six General pistons.

Four thumb and toe pistons.

Piston Selector Switch System.

Electric action throughout. 

The Viole d’Amore is playable from both Great and Swell manuals.  

Total number of pipes 1200. 

Michaelstow Church Organ

There is no record of when an organ was first heard in Michaelstow church.

As with many West Country churches, music was often provided by local musicians in Thomas Hardy tradition.

However, the organ built by the Positive Organ Company, was present by 1912.

It was manually pumped originally, but it was electrified when power was supplied to the church in 1948 by the Cornwall Electric Power Company.

In 1975, the organ was moved to the south west corner of the nave but this was unsatisfactory.

In 1980 it was completely overhauled and restored to its present position forming part of the newly made vestry.

As it only has 4 stops and a keyboard of 2½ octaves, so its range is limited.