THE RUSHWORTH & DRAPER ORGAN
SPALDING PARISH CHURCH OF ST MARY & ST NICOLAS

In 1929, with a legacy of £2000 from Mary Ann Shelton, a new organ was commissioned from Messrs. Rushworth & Draper Ltd. of Liverpool to replace an early eighteenth century instrument mounted on a balcony under the west window.

The new organ was sited to the north side of the chancel, and was built with three keyboards and pedals, thirty-seven speaking stops, and one hundred and eighteen pipes. The whole organ worked on pneumatic action and was powered by a new electric blower.

By 1971 it was felt that major restoration was needed. It had become apparent for a long time that the disposition of the three main sections of the organ, not least the console where the player sits, was not ideally situated. Once again, Rushworth & Draper undertook the necessary reconstruction including installation of the latest electrical units and a variety of new stops to construct an instrument on modern classical lines. The 'Great' section of the organ was moved nearer the nave and congregation, the 'Choir' section sited nearer to the choir and chancel, and the 'Swell' section placed between the two - thus serving and augmenting, as required, in both directions. The new remote console placed on a balcony near St George's Chapel, served greatly to enhance the visual and audible contact with conductors, soloists and ensembles who performed outside the chancel, and brought the organist more within the congregation during services. The whole project cost some £20,550.

During 1994-1995 each section of the instrument was dismantled and cleaned, under the direction of the Organist and Director of Music - Nicholas Pitts,. and a new capture system installed with eight memory levels. At the same time, further pipe-work improvements and minor tonal alterations were made.

Spalding Parish can feel justly proud of this magnificent organ, complementing as it does, the fine choral and musical tradition long associated with this beautiful Church dedicated to St Mary and St Nicolas.

PRESENT SPECIFICATION

Number of pipes - 2310

(Great 793;    Swell 781;    Choir  488;    Pedal  248)