The Parish of St. Mary's, Alverstoke, Gosport

'Sharing God's love in the Community'

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St Mary's Organ

by

HILL NORMAN AND BEARD

Installed 1929

Cleaned and Restored 1972

New Action and Tonal Modifications 1998

Specification 2000AD

3 Manual    58 Keys    30 Pedals
6 Pistons per department
6 Duplicating toe pistons to Swell
8 General pistons
General cancel
Great to Pedal reverser (toe)
Great to Pedal reverser (thumb)
Swell to Great reverser (toe)
Swell to Great reverser (thumb)
Swell to Choir reverser (thumb)
Great and Pedal combinations coupled
SWELL
1    Tremulant
2    Oboe	8
3    Horn	8
4    Contra Fagotta	16
5    Mixture	III	New
6    Fifteenth	2	New
7    Principal	4
8    Echo Salicional	8
9    Voix Celeste	8
10  Gamba	8
11  Rohr Flute	8
12  Open Diapason	8
13  Octave
14  Sub Octave
15  Unison off
GREAT
16  Tromba	8
17  Mixture	II	Ex swell: re-scaled
18  Fifteenth	2	New
19  Harmonic Flute	4
20  Principal	4
21  Dulciana	8
22  Hohl Flute	8
23  Open Diapason II	8
24  Open Diapason I	8
25  Double Diapason	16
26  Swell to Great
27  Swell Octave to Great
28  Swell Sub Octave to Great
29  Choir to Great
30  Great pistons to Pedal pistons

The Past

St. Mary's Organ has stood at the centre of a cherished musical tradition in this church during most of the twentieth century In 1996, after some years of steady decline in the condition and reliability of the instrument, the Parochial Church Council decided to embark upon a comprehensive refurbishment scheme. In order to accomplish this, St. Mary's needed to raise over £70,000, and an Appeal was launched in October of the same year.

Various fund raising activities were initiated in the Parish, including a 'Sponsor a Pipe' campaign, a 'talents' scheme, prize draw, concerts, exhibitions, etc. and the fund quickly grew. Members of St. Mary's Junior Choir raised the staggering sum of £2000 in a few months by doing odd jobs such as cleaning cars, gardening, fence repairs, etc. etc.

Successful Grant Aid applications were lodged with Hampshire County and Gosport Borough Councils. In addition, a request for funding through the Lottery was submitted to the Arts Council of England.

Then on 11th December 1997, came the news which everyone involved with the project was hoping for, an Arts Council Lottery Grant of ‘up to £51,000’ had been awarded. By this time, St. Mary's own Appeal Fund had passed £20,000, and Griffiths and Cooper (Organ Builders) Ltd. of Portsmouth were invited to proceed with the work.

Just over a year later, the scheme was completed and the organ was rededicated to the glory of God in a special ceremony conducted by the Rector of Alverstoke, Rev. Ted Goodyer.

A memorable inaugural recital was given by the internationally renowned organist David Sanger in January 1999.

Since then, the improved instrument has enhanced our regular worship and numerous renowned recitalists have performed here including: Professor Ian Tracy, Stephen Farr, Simon Lole, Alan Thurlow, Geoffrey Morgan, Philip Scriven, Sarah Baldock, David Price, David Thorne, Mark Wardell, Rosemary Field, Nigel Stark, Carey Humphreys, Adrian Bawtree, Roger Bluff, Clive Driskill-Smith and David Halls.

The Future

Any item of machinery as complex as a church Organ with over 1600 pipes will require overhaul and attention every few  decades. Therefore St. Mary’s Organ Fund continues in order to secure the long-term well-being and use of this fine instrument within the rich musical heritage of St. Mary’s.

Anyone may donate gifts, legacies, bequests etc., and any donor may nominate a loved one for inclusion in the attractive ‘In Memoriam’ book which is on permanent display near the organ. Click Here if you wish to give a donation or make a bequest. 

Thank you for your support.  
 

A two year scholarship is offered to a young musician with suitable keyboard skills.  The current Organ Scholars are:

Rebecca Fairclough and Benedict Clarke.