A. J. Carter
Professional Organ Building Services
A. J. Carter
Professional Organ Building Services
Work Completed in 1999
We had a very busy and successful year, almost too busy really! Doncaster Parish Church was a very major job for us which took nearly six months to complete. This put us rather behind for our other planned projects for the year. Anyway we got through it but were ready for a rest at Xmas.
Doncaster Parish Church
This project has seemed to have caused much controversy within the Organ Journals, I cannot really enter into these discussions but I would say that really the Instrument is not altered in anyway apart from renewing the Console, which replaces the old Walker Console. There have been new Electrical systems fitted and all new cabling. The wind regulating system in the Blower Chamber has been reinstated. The integrity of Schulze's work has not been compromised in anyway, which is contrary to some of the very biased opinions that we seem to read about. The recitalists of last year, all were in favour of the work and had no detrimental comments to make.
This was fitted out with Five Rows, spring touch keys by P & S with Bone covering.
All new Pedal Board and adjustable Bench.
All new Electrical Equipment supplied by A. J. & L. Taylor.
This comprised of Long throw Drawstop solenoids, Capture System and Transmission Systems, Rectifier and small systems computer link.
I have a series of photographs which show the console under construction and also installed.
Some Pictures of the Console under construction
Some pictures of the finished console
The Heavy and Low pressure Bellows were releathered ( Expertly done by David and Andrew at the Village Workshop ) and fitted out with all new springs.
The Chamber has been Cleaned and painted.
A new Distribution Box fitted, trunks repaired and re-fitted
New motor fitted to Blowing plant
All new switch gear fitted in Blowing Chamber
We had the huge task of wiring up the new Console and completely rewiring the main Organ. The complicated planting of the Pedal Reeds by Walkers on Roosevelt chests was difficult to sort out to say the least. We put the Transmission System in a cabinet at floor level underneath the Choir Soundboard and floored that area so that there is easy access.
The old Walker cable loom from the Organ to the Console, with individually run wires had gone rock solid and this was interesting to remove to say the least.
A small systems computer link by Alan Taylor was a joy to install and connect up and it all worked first time.
We had much trouble with the Solo flue and Tuba actions which are separate, these are H.N & B actions which have now been converted to chest magnet actions as the Choir action was done in the past in Walkers days.
All the leatherwork has been renewed, and this all works well now.
The Tuba is now reinstated to its full 15" wind pressure although the Tuba pipes still need attention
I'm glad to say the Doncaster work for 1999 is now up to date on this Site
( But there's more for 2000 - Some more work was carried out early in 2000 due to kind funding from the Pilling Trust - see the new 2000 page! )
Haxey St. Nicholas Parish Church
This overhaul was carried out after the Doncaster work but was finished around Easter 1999.
The Organ was built by Miller & Son of Cambridge ( a firm a must confess I have not come across )
This is a medium sized two manual but is unusual in that it has four Reeds, aTrumpet and Clarinet on the Great and a Oboe and Cornopean on the Swell. These make the Organ sound extremely well.
The action is pneumatic and again it is unusual that the primary motors are the envelope type throughout, these were all renewed.
We had trouble with the Key derivation machine which was complicated and in the end had to receive a full overhaul.
The over all sound is excellent.
Nigel Ogden gave a very fine concert in June, which showed off the Tonal qualities of the Instrument.
Sorry this page isn't finished yet and is still under construction.