Organ Restoration Update

Visitors to Bristol Cathedral have been witness to the sound of wonderful organ music since at least the 1300s and, as is the case for many of the UK’s oldest cities, the organ is the cornerstone of Bristol’s musical heritage.

The core mission of Bristol Cathedral Trust is to preserve the fabric of the building, and the restoration of the Cathedral’s organ has been one of our most ambitious projects of recent times.

The current organ was built in 1685 by Renatus Harris and rebuilt by Walkers in 1907, with the last major repair being undertaken in 1989. With the invaluable support of the Fitzhardinge Society, the Bristol Cathedral Trust Organ Restoration Appeal successfully raised £2.2 million pounds, of which the Harry Crook Foundation generously gave £1,670,000.

Earlier this week, two members of the Fitzhardinge Society were invited to witness close up progress on the organ restoration project prior to the scaffolding coming down on 26^th March.

Andrew Scott, managing director of expert organ builders Harrison & Harrison, was on hand to share the latest restoration updates. We were able to hold a pipe from the original Renatus Harris organ which dates from 1685, and we saw the fundamental conversion from a pneumatic action to an electro pneumatic action.

As this tremendous restoration project enters the final stage, it is exhilarating to know that Bristol Cathedral will have an original organ, comprising 83 stops and 3855 pipes, that is fit for the 21^st century.

Eager to share his passion for organ restoration, we are thrilled that Andrew will be returning to the Cathedral in May to give a special lecture about this magnificent project. Further information on this event will be published soon.