Sibthorpe St PeterOrgan
Pipe Organ
 The
pipe organ |
The pipe organ came from Tonbridge School and was built by Paul Hale, formerly
music teacher there and currently Organist and Rector Chori at Southwell Minster,
who writes:
The instrument is by George Maidwell Holditch circa 1875 and started off
life as a two-manual and pedal organ in Midhurst church Sussex. Bought for
Tonbridge School (Music Department) in 1972 it was semi-installed and then
re-built as a one-manual organ in 1977 by Paul Hale who was on the staff
there 1975-1982.
By happy chance it came on the market again just when Sibthorpe needed an
organ, so they bought it and had it installed. The panelling was adapted
and Tonbridge retained the front-opening doors which had marvellous carvings
in oak by the Tonbridge Art Master.
New front doors were fitted in 2003.
A small plate on the left side states:
G.R. Holditch c1850
P. R. Hale 1977 |
Stop list:
| Stopped diapson |
|
8' |
| Principal |
|
4' |
| Open flute |
|
4' |
| Fifteenth |
|
2' |
| Recorder |
|
2' |
| Quint |
|
1⅓' |
| Octave |
|
1' |
| Sesquialtera |
|
II |
| Tremulant |
|
|
Discus blower and wind system: new 1980
Case dimensions:
Width: 2.301m, depth: 0.760m, height: 3.220m.
A notebook records the last date tuned by Ward & Shutt: 5.9.1997. The
organ has been tuned more recently by a local tuner.
The organ is used only at Christmas and for weddings and funerals, providing
an organist is available from outside the parish.
Particular thanks to Paul Hale for information on this entry.
Reed Organ
 The
reed organ |
A small single-manual reed organ placed in the south side of the Chancel.
The Restoration Book records the gift in 1971 of a second hand harmonium bequeathed
in the will of Miss Watts of Elston.
Maker:
Estey Organ Co. Brattleboro, Vermont, USA. Serial No 783/1249
Stop list:
| Bass coupler |
|
|
| Sub Bass |
|
16' |
| Diapason |
|
8' |
| Dulciana |
|
8' |
| Forte |
|
|
| ? (Identification label missing) |
| Vox Humana |
|
|
| Dulciana |
|
8' |
| Diapson |
|
8' |
| Vox Jubilante |
|
8' |
| Treble coupler |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Width |
|
1.100m |
| Height |
|
0.990m |
| Depth |
|
1.520m |
Converted to electricity from pedal power by an external electric blower unit.
A reed organ first appears in the Parish Account Book in 1906/7. It was then
the legal property of the executors of the late Mrs Fox, and a legal expense
of 10/6d was noted. A rent of 1d a year continued at least to 1947. An organist
was usually paid £5 p.a., but varied from £1 4s to £5 16s
p.a. It was tuned twice a year in the early years at 5/- a time, rising to
6/- from 1922 after which once in 1933 (new reed) and 1937 at 10/6d a time.
| 
