Pipe organ on the move
(From The Orcadian dated June 27, 2002)

The pipe organ in Kirkwall’s East Church is off to a new home where it will be given a new lease of life.

The instrument, which has two manuals, full pedalboard and 18 speaking stops, was built and installed in 1921 by Ingram and Company of Edinburgh, their Opus 833. Funding for the organ was raised by congregational donations and public subscriptions at a time when the centenary of the induction of Reverend Doctor Robert Paterson in Kirkwall was being commemorated.

The organ was dismantled with great care last week by the organ builders Henry Willis and Sons under the watchful supervision of their Managing Director Dr David Wyld and shipped south on Friday.

The Willis company, who will be renovating and rebuilding the organ, will store it in their Liverpool premises until the new owners, the Monastery community in Papa Stronsay, are ready for it.

Mrs Rhonda Lowe, organist of East Church said: “The organ has served both the congregation and the public for more than 80 years.

“It was a good investment at the time and it will remain a valuable resource in the future. We have a long and happy association with the Willis firm and their representative Mr John McCarron who regularly visits Orkney.

“I am very pleased they have been given the contract to upgrade the organ. It is marvellous that it will be returning to a good home back here in Orkney after its overhaul.”

The photograph shows the largest organ pipe (bottom C on the pedal) which produces the lowest note on the organ, being removed from East Church by centre left Dr David Wyld (supporting the pipe), centre right John McCarron (supporting the pipe) and members of Henry Willis and Sons. Others are, from the left: Philip Jones, Fred Preston, Michael Jensen, Tom Yeomans.