© Maggie Kilbey & Marcel Glover 2024
St Mary Magdalene, Stockland Bristol (Somerset)
Barrel Organs in English Parish Churches
1860s barrel & finger organ by an unknown builder, perhaps using bought-in barrels and mechanism. The church was completely
rebuilt 1866-7 at the expense of Thomas Daniel (patron & lay rector), the organ was probably installed soon afterwards.
The organ stands in an organ chamber off the chancel and the barrel mechanism is operated from the rear.
Stop list: Open Diapason, Stopped Bass, Viola, Dulciana, Flute, Principal.
References: West Somerset Free Press (8 Jun. 1867) p.4 & (6 Oct. 1888) p.2; Peter Evans, The Stockland Gatepost - parish newsletter (Aug. 2023).
BARREL 1
GREEN
Tune
Metre
1.1
LM
1.2
LM
1.3
LM
1.4
PM
1.5
CM
1.6
SM
1.7
1.8
BARREL 2
MISSING
Metre
1.1
Hursley
LM
1.2
Vienna [Austria]
PM
1.3
St Anne
CM
1.4
London New
CM
1.5
Shirland
SM
1.6
St Bride
SM
1.7
Single Chant: Farrant
1.8
Double Chant: Boyce
Barrel mechanism removed c.1920, restored in 2023 by Peter Evans. Tunes recorded in 2023.
Originally two carriage-mounted green barrels x 8 tunes corresponding with the tunelist pasted inside the case, barrel 2 missing.
Recordings and photos: Peter Evans.