Initial investigations were made in 2018 due to the rapidly deteriorating condition of the organ, and Jonathan Lane visited the Cathedral in March 2019 for a preliminary visit. This visit established a number of issues, although the principal and most important one being the condition and location of the original blower.
Although some work was done during this time in regards to the cleanliness of the organ, it became quickly obvious that the old blower was struggling to provide sufficient wind, and because of its external position was sucking in not just dust but other debris, which was being distributed throughout the organ.
A number of decisions were made at this point, firstly t replace the blower, and secondly to upgrade the organ’s transmission system.
On a second visit in February 2020, just before Covid19 lockdown and an enforced hiatus to work, a new blower was installed, which has been supplied by BOB Stevenson of Derby, United Kingdom.
This established that the leatherwork on the bellows, some of the wind trunks, and other aspects of the winding system were failing.
Using a calculation which allows us to work out desired bellows sizes for different actions and styles of windchest, the organ is also slightly underwinded, particularly in the Pedal Organ, so a revised internal reservoir (bellows) layout has been devised to shorten wind trunk runs and to move air around the organ more efficiently.
It was also decided to increase blower size to accommodate the unusual effect of a climatic phenomenon known as the Harmattan, which is a strong trade wind that blows down from the Sahara, and involves a drop in atmospheric pressure.
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Old Blower (outside)
This original blower was in a cage outside and drew in much rubbish and dust.
Blower box supplied by manufacturer and new trunking (made locally)
