Charles James Organs - Organ Building and Tuning Services

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ST MARGARETS LEICESTER

The main case with the Open Diapason No.1 pipes in the front

The Swell Organ

The restored console

The original 1954 drawstop solenoids

The original wiring being tested prior to installation of the new drawstop solenoids

The console with its four manuals removed

The new solenoids

The new solenoids being fitted on site

The console being reassembled

The Swell Reeds and Mixture

The Pipework of the Great

1950s Action Transmission

The Nave looking West

In 2005, after the appointment of a new organist to the church, it was decided that the pipe organ should be brought back into service after a period of ten years silence. Charles James Organs were fortunate to be invited to take on this challenge. The initial work concentrated on removing cyphers and achieving reliability of the actions in general. As time has gone by, further work has included improving the regulation and tonal structure of the Great organ. New springs were fitted to the pedal sticks and worn felts replaced throughout to improve the movement of the pedal board and reduced the “clatter”. In 2007 collapsed tubing was replaced on the Swell action, which presented the opportunity to clean the Swell chamber and pipework. The work of renewal and replacement continues alongside the general tuning and maintenance.

During a night in June 2008 vandals broke into the church and damaged many items of Christian significance. The organ console also came under brutal attack, having the keys and stops extensively damaged. The result has meant that the keys have been overhauled with new pistons units and springs fitted. New drawstop solenoids have been fitted and wired to the 1950’s electrics. The ivory stop heads have been repaired, cleaned and polished. At the same time we have replaced the failing Great action “Zonker” magnets with modern lever arm units.