Organ
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James Lonsdale MA ARCO, LRAM,ARCM.
Organist and Choir Master
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The instrument was built by messrs Binns in 1913. It was rebuilt and
enlarged by Nicholson & Co in 1961.
Following fire damage in 1979 it was rebuilt by Messrs Sixsmith of Ashton
under Lyme when the opportunity was taken to redesign and improve the whole
instrument. It is now an organ of four manuals and pedals which control six
departments. It was rededicated on Sunday 28th February 1982 and the opening
recital by Charles Myers took place on Saturday 6th March 1982.
To see more detail of the organ, click on the organ picture above.
The organ plays a central role in weekly Sunday Sung Eucharist and at
monthly Choral Evensong. The Organ Society (recently renamed Music at St
Mary’s), now in its 47th year, holds regular, well attended seasons of
concerts and recitals. The instrument is also used for both town and valley
functions and is widely used by schools.
The time came to rebuild and update this magnificent instrument in
2007. The task began in May 2007 and was completed by February 2008.
The work carried out came under the following principal headings:
1. Replace worn out electrical switchgear with a more reliable solid-state
system.
2. The present elaborate console controls are to be made more reliable and
user-friendly.
3. To re-instate the substantial amount of bass tone which was lost in the
rebuild after the fire in the late 70's and further enhance the bass to
produce the maximum majesty of sound.
4. To re-organise some of the internal layout, so that the sound can be
more audible to listeners in the body of the church. Subtle modification of
the lower casing will be undertaken to facilitate better sound transmission.
5. To ensure that the layout permits easy access by the tuner to all the
pipes, so that he can provide the best tuning service in the time available
to him.
6. To clean and regulate the pipes so that the fine tone which they
originally produced can be restored for the enjoyment of the present and
future generations.
The completion of this work will ensure that the splendid reputation of this
instrument is upheld and enhanced, making it one of the finest instruments in
the North West!
The work was carried out by Geoffrey Coffin of Principal Pipe Organs of
York. (Restorers of the organ in York Minster.) The project was supervised by
Roger Fisher
"The organ in Clitheroe Parish Church is a very special instrument,
not only because of the fine sound that it makes, but because it is one of
the larger instruments built by the noted Leeds organ builder, James Jepson
Binns. Binns was famous not only for the superb quality of materials which he
put into his instruments, but also for the skill with which he used them. In
the case of the Clitheroe organ, it has been lovingly cared for by the church
ever since it was built in 1913. The 1960's work by Nicholson and the 1980's
work by Sixsmith, all carried out under the expert guidance of Charles Myers
have upheld and enhanced the work of the original builder and there is an
excellent foundation for the work which is now to be carried out."
Roger Fisher M.A., F.R.C.O., A.R.C.M., A.T.C.L.
Organ Adviser to the Diocese of Lichfield (Written in 2006)
Completion - February 2008
Roger Fisher reports: 'It's a great pleasure to be able
to write and sign-off the Clitheroe Organ Project. The standard of the work
is so high that, I'm very happy indeed with the completed organ.'
'There is no doubt that the presence of the galleries does make it
difficult for the bass frequencies to travel effectively, but, I'm glad to
say that I now find the bass greatly improved and everything possible has
been done within the space available. When Geoffrey (Coffin) extemporised on
it yesterday afternoon, the organ sounded very grand and exciting indeed and
a visiting organist from Bishop Auckland made it sound magnificent.'
'Where the tonal finishing is concerned, I'm impressed by the even
regulation of all the pipes ranks and the finesse with which they have been
cared for, and the fact that only a very few notes indeed have prompted from
me even the slightest critical comment.'
'This has been one of the most interesting projects that I've ever been
involved in and I'm most impressed with the way the sound of the organ has
developed at each stage of the work. The technical excellence of Geoffrey's
work, almost goes without saying, especially as the console is now easy to
control and the organ exceptionally comfortable to play.'
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