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Some 40 delegates attended this year's Diocesan Organ Advisers' Conference at the University of East Anglia. Since BIOS is well represented through advisers and members of other associated bodies, it seemed a good idea to include a report on the proceedings. Not only that, but BIOS becomes involved one way or another whenever an historically important instrument is under scrutiny so that decisions which reflect the general policy adopted by BIOS can have an influence on Diocesan Advisory thinking and vice versa.
The conference was spread over three days and covered a wide variety of topics. Importantly, the first seminar dealt with the relationship between the Diocese and its constituent parishes. Donald Ray, chairman of the Norwich DAC, and Elizabeth Halfacre, Secretary to Norwich DAC, covered issues such as what the Parish is aiming to do with its instrument, the relationship between the Adviser and the DAC, and the need for involvement of the Committee and Adviser from the start when matters such as reordering were contemplated. At all times the aim was to achieve some form of concensus and it was heartening to note that Norwich DAC lays great store on the advice given by its advisory panel.
Monday continued with a case study of fundraising by Ann Davis, Churchwarden at Lound Parish Church, Suffolk. The church is home to very fine Comper case and 'small' organ by Harrison dating from 1913 which was restored a few years ago by Richard Bower. Dogged persistence and an inexhaustible supply of postage stamps seemed to be the order of the day. The result showed that even the smallest parish church can achieve something quite out of proportion to the size of its electoral role.
The day continued into the evening with talks given on the Conservation and Exploitation of County Record Office collections by John Alban, Norfolk County Archivist, and the East Anglian Film Archive showing footage of John Betjeman's tours of Norfolk churches and conservation issues captured on film. John Alban as well as detailing the work of conserving materials following the fire at Norwich Central Library, was able to produce original documentation relevant to an organ delegates were later to visit in Kings Lynn.
David Baker, Norwich DOA, concluded Monday's proceedings with a case study of the James Davis organ at Wymondham Abbey. Readers will recall that the organ, from 1793, survived with only minor alterations until the mid 1950's as a fine example of a late 18th century parish church organ - only to be rebuilt and repackaged as a modern three manual and pedal instrument. In fairness, much of the pipework survives relatively untouched as do all the soundboards and parts of the action. Dr Baker's paper provoked some thought about what could or would be done in the event of the instrument needing overhaul, restoration or whatever.
Tuesday presented a full day including visits to an organ works and two instruments of note. St Margaret's, Kings Lynn, contains parts of a Snetzler organ with important and considerable additions by Wordsworth in 1895. A full report on restoration/rebuilding proposals was given in BIOSR October 1998.
After a Conference Eucharist celebrated by the Revd. A. Hurdman, accompanied by John Jordan, Organist to St Margaret's, lectures were given by Paul Hale, independent consultant, and Dominic Gwynn who had conducted an historical survey. Conference then divided into groups charged with giving their views on the instrument. It soon became clear during the plenary session, chaired by Alan Thurlow, that there was not an easy answer.
Tuesday afternoon began with a visit to St Nicholas's Parish church, Dereham. The church contains an 1875 rebuild by Hill of an earlier organ by Joseph Hart from 1827. This in turn, incorporated material from a chamber organ by Father Smith, originally in Rougham Hall, Norfolk. In 1995, Richard Bower undertook a comprehensive review of the instrument resulting in a reconstruction which aimed to present the different periods of the organ's history in a clear light, the admirable qualities of which were ably demonstrated by Richard Bower in a short recital. The reconstruction included the building of a new Chair organ containing most of the Smith pipework as well as placing the pedal organ, with augmentations, on new direct electric chests.
The Dereham instrument was one of the last to be put through Bower & Co's premises in Wroxham. Soon after, the firm moved to much more spacious accommodation in Weston Longville and it was here that the Conference continued with a late afternoon session on pipe voicing. Delegates had the opportunity to gain some first hand experience of the trickier aspects surrounding this facet of organ construction.
Arnold Miller, Head of BBC East and a lifelong church organist gave the after dinner speech in the evening and reminded us of the regular weekly commitment of the many organists whom we serve.
The final day, Wednesday, was given over to a variety of topics including the success or otherwise of grant applications, small organs, and harmonium conservation. Jim Berrow, in his role as a member of the Organs Advisory Committee of the CCC outlined the criteria necessary for a successful grant application. He noted the importance to be attached to adequate documentation including photographs showing the relationship of the instrument to the building in which it stood, as well as the usual detailed work. This was a point often overlooked by applicants.
David Baker's talk covered territory sometimes denied by the more ambitious of the organ fraternity: the effectiveness of the small organ. Norfolk abounds in small instruments in its churches, many by notable builders. For the purpose to which they are mainly put, they continue to provide good service and are often surprisingly flexible. They deserve more sympathetic treatment than is sometimes the case.
Bruce Draycot opened up a topic which, like the small organ, is only now really attracting due attention: the harmonium. There is a surprising number of these instruments still in use in rural parishes. There is also a small but increasing number of instruments which have been restored rather than consigned to the bonfire or converted to drinks cabinets! The results often astonish and prove that the harmonium can be an effective, independent and maintenance-free instrument able to fulfill the needs of smaller congregations.
The Conference was brought to a close with a forum chaired again by Alan Thurlow and a presentation by Jim Berrow on plans for the 1999 Conference to be held in Birmingham.
For the writer, the Conference was welcome proof that the system by which the future of church organs is decided, whilst perhaps not as streamlined as it may be, is able to contend with a wide variety of opinions and produce effective solutions to some of the less tractable problems it encounters. The need for BIOS to ensure that its message is heard and understood, remains however, and in this, the conference plans for 1999 can only be to the good.
Thanks are due to all who helped plan the three days' events, especially to our host at Norwich, David Baker.
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