Restoration of Portskewett Pipe Organ
The Sound of Music sounded so good as when Eunice Wiliams played for the first time since restoration the Pipe Organ in St Mary's on 23rd September 2007 Harvest Festival Sunday.The Organ is over 100 years old and like most elderly operators had wear and tear and creaks and groans, despite the best efforts of Eunice to coax music from it.During the ministry of Canon Terry Palmer, there were murmurings of having the Organ restored. Several quotes were obtained all of them within the region of above and beyond £10,000. With plans to fully restore the Church about to go ahead and appeals to the Heritage Lottery and Cadw for grant aid, the future of the Organ was not top priority.It was apparent that to reach this goal a fund for the Organ restoration must be raised and we started modestly with some organ recitals one in particular where the Dean of Monmouth a very accomplished musician played for us His enthusiasm to restore the instrument was infectious, he was the inspiration to spur us on, but progress was slow.
In the mid nineties my late husband and I had moved into Portskewett and joined the congregation at St Mary's. A new home attracts visitors who came to see us amongst them was Don Smith husband of a cousin. Don was a talented amateur artist and was fascinated by the Church. He painted several pictures, one large one he framed and gave to us. Ken, (my husband), had the idea to raffle it for the organ fund. Tickets were sold in the Portskewett Inn and at the Summer Fete which used to be held annually and where eventually we drew the raffle.
Sadly, Eunice Williams and her sister Eileen Chesworth were both widowed and the collection at Roy William's funeral was donated to the Organ fund. Likewise when Charles Chesworth's ashes were interred in the Churchyard after his death in Scotland money was also donated. Eileen plays the organ when Eunice is not available.With the passing of years and still a long way from the target it was eventually decided that we would approach again for a quote for repairs and restoration. We sought the Dean's advice as to whom we should award our contract and he recommended one John Bleney, whose estimate was very fair and less than those previously quoted and it could be paid in instalments. A decision by the P.C.C. was made that as there was not nearly enough money to cover the costs we would go ahead to use some of Church funds and make every effort to reimburse by concentrating on events to raise money.The organ was removed in January 2007 and the gallery closed, we were loaned an electronic organ for music for the Services. The space that the organ had occupied in the gallery had to be cleaned and decorated. John Bleney, on his visits to the Church, was hosted by Rev Dennis and Mrs Pam Richards. These efforts and many generous donations have resulted in our patience being rewarded and during the eight months, we have raised sufficient funds to cover the whole cost of the restoration.The Dean has promised that he will come and play the organ and we will invite him along at his convenience. When that date is known it will be advertised and we would hope for a 'full house' to celebrate that our organ is well and capable of producing wonderful sound.
Perhaps for the next 100 years ?
Margaret Neighbour
