News / Bristol cathedral
Restoration begins of Bristol Cathedral’s 340-year-old organ
The job of restoring Bristol Cathedral’s historic organ has fallen to a firm of organ builders based in a small village just south of Durham.
The organ is currently being taken apart, with every one of its 3,855 pipes and other elements – ranging in size from 10cm up to 32ft – transported to the workshop of Harrison & Harrison in Meadowfield where they will be cleaned.
Bristol Cathedral’s organ was built in 1685 by Renatus Harris, who built instruments in many other cathedrals including Salisbury and Winchester – photo: Bristol Cathedral
When the organ returns to Bristol after its refurbishment, there are plans to add more pipes and stops to further enrich its tonal range.
During its restoration, there will be an exhibition on display about the organ and the chance for visitors to see a rarely seen perspective of the cathedral from the scaffolding around the instrument.
The huge instrument has 83 stops and 3,855 pipes – photo: Bristol Cathedral
The dean of Bristol, reverend Mandy Ford, said: “We are thrilled to have started this long awaited restoration of Bristol Cathedral’s organ.
“The work will preserve this exceptional instrument for the future enjoyment of musicians, worshippers and fans of organ music.”
Main photo: Bristol Cathedral
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