CHARLES JAMES ORGANS
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NEW ORGANS, RESTORATIONS...
ST PAUL'S BEDFORD - RECENT WORK

The West facing case now cantilevered forward out of the arch


The West facing case now cantilevered forward out of the arch
The Great with Swell box side in the background

The Great with Swell box side in the background
Chancel case front pipes during installation


Chancel case front pipes during installation
Scaffold across the choir stalls for installation of the Choir soundboard


Scaffold across the choir stalls for installation of the Choir soundboard
The chamber with Great soundboard in position and Swell being built


The chamber with Great soundboard in position and Swell being built
The Great soundboard in position


The Great soundboard in position
The chancel side showing the front of the swell box and the space for the Choir


The chancel side showing the front of the swell box and the space for the Choir
Swell pipework


Swell pipework
Pedal Open Diapason 16' being stayed into position


Pedal Open Diapason 16' being stayed into position
The Great pipework


The Great pipework
The grid of the new Swell reed soundboard with the two halves of the main one behind


The grid of the new Swell reed soundboard with the two halves of the main one behind
The Great soundboard actions with cables connected


The Great soundboard actions with cables connected
The Choir awaiting the installation of the Clarinet 8'


The Choir awaiting the installation of the Clarinet 8'
Tuba stays


Tuba stays
Restored Console awaiting new drawstop heads


The Restored Console awaiting new drawstop heads
Pedal Bourdon during installation


Pedal Bourdon during installation
The West facing case now cantilevered forward out of the arch
The Great with Swell box side in the background
Chancel case front pipes during installation
Scaffold across the choir stalls for installation of the Choir soundboard
The chamber with Great soundboard in position and Swell being built
The Great soundboard in position
The chancel side showing the front of the swell box and the space for the Choir
Swell pipework
Pedal Open Diapason 16' being stayed into position.
The Great pipework
The grid of the new Swell reed soundboard with the two halves of the main one behind
The Great soundboard actions with cables connected
The Choir awaiting the installation of the Clarinet 8'
Tuba stays
Restored Console awaiting new drawstop heads Pedal Bourdon during installation


THE REBUILD............... The design work was started in July 2009 and the old instrument removed during the following months. Manufacture of the new Great, Swell and Pedal soundboards, along with the console parts, was begun in 2010 and installed ready for Advent Sunday. The original pipework has been cleaned, repaired and revoiced to provide a clear and fresh voice. The Choir organ including the new Tuba was manufactured in early 2011 and installed ready for Easter Sunday that year.

Though the Norman & Beard pipework has been used as the basis of this instrument’s voice, the work was not treated as a restoration but more of a new organ with its heart remaining in 1900.
With a restored musical identity the instrument is capable of the demands of today and that which it will be put under in this thriving city centre civic church. The retained 1985 tonal additions have been completely revoiced to integrate with the original and three new replacement Mixtures and a Tuba, made for us by Shires Organ Pipes Ltd, have been added to the specification.

The organ was opened by Organist Titulaire Professor Ian Tracey on 22nd October 2011.

Return to main St Pauls page . . .

Specification of the rebuilt organ . . .
“Craftman’s art and music’s measure” - Pott