Llanfair Waterdine

St Mary, Llanfair Waterdine (Shropshire)

Barrel Organs in English Parish Churches

Finger & barrel organ. Brass nameplate above keyboard and printed label on barrel read: ‘J.C. BISHOP, Organ Builder. By APPOINTMENT TO HIS MAJESTY, Lisson Grove South, New Road, St MaryleBone, INVENTOR OF THE COMPOSITION PEDALS.’ This suggests the organ was built after 1829 (when Bishop moved to Lisson Grove) but before 1837, when Queen Victoria came to the throne – unless an old label was used. A label at the rear ‘Organ No.4’ refers to the model number. The organ was purchased from Bishops Castle church in 1907. The barrel mechanism is operated from the front. Originally hand blown, the organ now has an electric blower. The painted softwood Gothic case has three panels of gold painted dummy pipes. Restored by John Budgen. Tunes recorded in 1996. One barrel x 10 tunes, corresponding with the original tunelist written on the barrel and also pasted to the access door.

References: Musical Opinion (Dec. 1957); Boston & Langwill (1967); Ord-Hume (1978); Elvin (1984); The Organ (Nov 1999-Jan 2000) p.198; The Organ (Feb. 2000) p.50; Turner (2002); NPOR, D02576.

BARREL 1

Tune

Metre

1.1

Abingdon

1.2

Cambridge New

1.3

London New

1.4

St Stephen

1.5

Irish

1.6

Islington

1.7

Truro

1.8

Old 100th

1.9

Mount Ephraim

1.10

Psalm 104 [Hanover]

104th