AND ST MICHAEL
Historical restoration of II/18 1906 William Hill & Son organ
We are pleased to have been commissioned to undertake the full restoration of the two-manual, 18-stop 1906 William Hill & Son organ (Op. 2334) in the Church of Our Lady and St Michael, Workington, Cumbria. The organ, which has a Grade II* historic organ certificate, has charge pneumatic action throughout (except for mechanical manual-to-pedal coupling) which is all to be retained and restored without alteration.
The organ enjoys a splendid open position in a free-standing oak case (designed by AH Coyle) in the west gallery of this resonant church. Restoration of the instrument forms part of the church’s Stella Maris project to preserve the Grade II-listed 1876 Pugin building and its fittings.
Two earlier changes to the organ will be reversed:
i) the Dulciana Mixture (Swell) will be returned to its original composition (C1 17.19.22; G20 15.19.22; B36 8.12.15); and
ii) the six present toe pistons dating from the 1950s (duplicating the three original Gt/Ped thumb pistons and the three original Sw thumb pistons) will revert to the original provision of three toe levers only, duplicating the Gt/Ped thumb pistons.