To continue reading this article, subscribe to the Stray Ferret for as little as £1 a week
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
05
Dec 2023
St Wilfrid's on Coltsgate Hill, Ripon, has received an amazing early Christmas gift - an organ worth £350,000.
The Grade II listed church, which is among the city's architectural gems and described as one of the finest Catholic parish churches in England, has taken delivery of a mechanical action pipe organ, formerly in use at the University of Huddersfield.
Built by JW Walker of Brandon in Suffolk for Castleford businessman Michael Phipps, the organ was subsequently donated by him to the university in 2008 and now, with the assistance of Dr John Rowntree, one of the UK's foremost organ specialists, it has found a new home in Ripon.
Dr Rowntree, director of music at Douai Abbey in Berkshire, is chair of the British Institute of Organ Studies and the Committee for the Listing of Historic Organs,
Dr John Rowntree (left) and Canon Ian Smith, are pictured in St Wilfrid's, where the organ will be installed in the loft at the back of the church
He told the Stray Ferret:
Parish priest Canon Ian Smith, plays the organ and keenly awaits the day when he has the opportunity take to the keyboards and pedals.
He said:
Canon Smith added:
Parishioner Barrie Price, who is chair of the church fundraising committee, which has raised £500,000 for an ongoing programme of restoration and development, pointed out:
Mr Price, added:
0