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St James Grimsby

The Organs of Grimsby Parish Church

Grimsby has two organs in regular use rather like a French cathedral.
The main organ is at the West End and a further smaller instrument is placed in the chancel to accompany the choir.

It is possible to hear both organs at the services.

The complete history begins in 1951 when the church was recovering from the effects of the Luftwaffe, read on………………………………

Walker Organ, 1951

The previous organ, which was largely destroyed when the North Transept was damaged by enemy action on 13th July, 1943, was replaced by a new three-manual instrument incorporating some pipework from the previous instrument, with attached console, situated on a new gallery at the West End of the Church. The pipe frontage was arranged to facilitate the future installation of an organ case designed by the late Sir Charles Nicholson (in fact, the casework was never completed).

The specification, drawn up in consultation with Mr Reginald Whitworth, MBE, MSM and Mr J S Robson, FRCO, ARCM, Organist of the Church (1924-1953) provided an instrument of considerable resources, suitable for both service accompaniment and recital work. It will be seen that the tonal design was "straight", with the exception of three unit-ranks on the Great and two on the Choir, as well as duplexed Tromba unit and Pedal extensions. The Pedal Organ was considered to be notable in having an independent metal Open Diapason No 1 as well as the duplexed metal Great Open Diapason 16'.

The new Organ was dedicated by the then Bishop of Grimsby on 11th July, 1951, Mr J S Robson presiding at the console and giving a demonstration of the instrument at the conclusion of the service.

Walker Organ, 1951 Specification
Compass of Manuals, CC to C, 61 notes
Compass of Pedals, CCC to G, 32 notes
Electro-Pneumatic Action

Great Organ

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

Double Open
Open Diapason I
Open Diapason II (from No. 1 Great)
Open Diapason III
Wald Flute
Octave
Principal (from No. 4 Great)
Twelfth
Fifteenth
Harmonics 17-19-22
Contra Tromba
Tromba (from No. 11 Great)
Octave Tromba (from No. 11 Great)

16'
8'
8'
8'
8'
4'
4'
2 2/3'
2'
3 ranks
16'
8
4

Swell Organ

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

Open Diapason
Rohr Flute
Viola da Gamba
Voix Celeste (T.C.)
Principal
Suabe Flute
Fifteenth
Mixture (19-22-26-29)
Double Trumpet
Trumpet
Oboe
Clarion Tremulant

8'
8'
8'
8'
4'
4'
2
4 ranks
16'
8
8
4

Choir Organ

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17

Lieblich Bourdon
Contra Dulciana (TC) (from No. 5 Choir)
Violin Diapason
Lieblich Gedeckt (From No. 1 Choir)
Dulciana
Gemshorn
Lieblich Flute (from No. 1 Choir)
Dulcet (from No. 5 Choir)
Nazard
Piccolo
Tierce
Octavin (from No. 5 Choir)
Clarinet
Orchestral Oboe Tremulant
Contra Tromba (from Great)
Tromba (from Great)
Octave Tromba (from Great)

16'
16'
8'
8'
8'
4'
4'
4'
2 2/3'
2'
1 3/5'
1'
8'
8'
16'
8'
4'

Pedal Organ

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17

Sub Bourdon to EEEE (lowest 4 notes acoustic)
Open Wood
Open Diapason I Metal
Open Diapason II (From No. 1 Great)
Bourdon (From No. 1 Pedal)
Viola
Echo Bourdon (from No. 1 Choir)
Quint (from No. 1 Pedal)
Octave (from No. 2 Pedal)
Violoncello (from No. 6 Pedal)
Bass Flute (from No. 1 Pedal)
Fifteenth (from No. 6 Pedal)
Octave Flute (from No. 1 Pedal)
Ophicleide
Trumpet (from No. 9 Swell)
Posaune (from No. 14 Pedal)
Clarion (from No. 14 Pedal)

32'
16'
16'
16'
16'
16'
16'
10 2/3'
8'
8'
8'
4'
4'
16'
16'
8'
4'

Couplers

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Choir to Pedal
Great to Pedal
Swell to Pedal
Swell to Great
Swell to Choir
Choir to Great
Swell Octave

8
9
10
11
12
13
14

Swell Sub-Octave
Swell Unison Off
Choir Octave
Choir Sub-Octave
Choir Unison Off
Great and Pedal Combinations Coupled

Accessories

Six Thumb Pistons to Great
Six Thumb Pistons to Swell
Six Thumb Pistons to Choir
Six Toe Pistons to Swell (duplicating)
Two Reversible Toe Pistons for Great to Pedal

One Reversible Thumb Piston for Great to Pedal
One Reversible Thumb Piston for Swell to Great
Balanced Swell Pedal
Balanced Choir Pedal

Attached Drawstop Console in Oak, fitted with Walker Selective Combination Mechanism

Walker Organ, 1976

J. W. WALKER & Sons Ltd carried out Work upon the 1951 organ in 1976. The work consisted of modernising the action, as well as a number of tonal modifications, which can be seen on the specification below. Amongst the most noticeable of these changes was the remodelling of the Choir organ to form an unenclosed Positive section.
Specification
Compass of Manuals, CC to C, 61 notes
Compass of Pedals, CCC to G, 32 notes
Electro-Pneumatic Action

Great Organ

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

Double Open Diapason
Open Diapason I
Open Diapason II (from No. 1 Great)
Open Diapason III
Wald Flute
Octave
Principal (from No. 4 Great)
Lieblich flute (from No. 1 Choir)
Twelfth
Fifteenth
Mixture (17-19-22)
Trumpet

16'
8'
8'
8'
8'
4'
4'
4'
2 2/3'
2'
3 ranks
8'

Swell Organ

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11

Open Diapason
Rohr Flute
Viola da Gamba
Voix Celeste (T.C.)
Principal
Suabe Flute
Fifteenth
Mixture (19-22-26-29)
Oboe Tremulant
Double Trumpet
Clarion Tremulant

8'
8'
8'
8'
4'
4'
2
4 ranks
16'
8
4

Positive Organ

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Lieblich Gedeckt
Dulciana
Gemshorn
Open Flute
Nazard
Blockflute
Tierce
Cimbel (26.29)
Cremona Tremulant

8'
8'
4'
4'
2 2/3'
2'
1 3/5'
II
8'

Bombarde Organ
Played on Positive

10
11
12

Contra Tromba
Tromba (from No 1 Bombarde)
OctaveTromba (from No 1 Bombarde)

16'
8'
4'

Pedal Organ

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17

Sub Bourdon to EEEE (lowest 4 notes acoustic)
Open Diapason I Metal
Open Diapason II (From No. 1 Great)
Open Wood
Viola
Bourdon (From No. 1 Pedal)
Lieblich Bourdon
Quint (from No. 1 Pedal)
Octave (from No. 4 Pedal)
Violoncello (from No. 5 Pedal)
Flute (from No. 1 Pedal)
Fifteenth (from No. 4 Pedal)
Octave Flute (from No. 1 Pedal)
Ophicleide
Trumpet (from No. 10 Swell)
Posaune (from No. 14 Pedal)
Clarion (from No. 14 Pedal)

32'
16'
16'
16'
16'
16'
16'
10 2/3'
8'
8'
8'
4'
4'
16'
16'
8'
4'

Couplers

1
2
3
4
5

Positive to Pedal
Great to Pedal
Swell to Pedal
Swell to Great
Swell to Positive

6
7
8
9
10

Positive to Great
Swell Octave
Swell Sub-Octave
Swell Unison Off
Great and Pedal Combinations Coupled

Accessories

Six Thumb Pistons to Great
Six Thumb Pistons to Swell
Six Thumb Pistons to Choir
Six Toe Pistons to Swell (duplicating)
One Reversible Toe Piston for Great to Pedal
One Reversible Toe Piston for Swell to Great
Two General Thumb Pistons

One Reversible Thumb Piston for Great to Pedal
One Reversible Thumb Piston for Swell to Great
Balanced Swell Pedal

Walker Organ 1988
Further work was carried out in 1988 by A.J. Carter. This work included the conversion of many of the electro-pneumatic elements to direct electric action. The organs in Grimsby Parish Church are tuned and maintained by A.J. Carter.

Johnson Organ 1971
Because of the problems inherent in accompanying choral services on an organ situated at the West End, a second instrument was added by Johnson of Cambridge in 1971. This organ, situated in the bay between the Lady Chapel and the North Choir stalls, is a two-manual extension organ on electric action. The entire instrument (with the exception of the bottom octave of the Pedal Bourdon) is enclosed. There are no pistons or other playing aids. The instrument is used for accompanying choral services, and for accompanying congregational services when held in the Choir.

Specification
Compass of Manuals, CC to C, 61 notes
Compass of Pedals, CCC to G, 32 notes
Electric Action

Manual I
(played on the lower keyboard)

1
2
3
4
5
6

Rohr Flute
Principal
Nazard
Block Flute
Tierce
Mixture

8'
4'
2 2/3'
2'
1 3/5'
2, 1 1/3'

Manual II
(played on the upper keyboard)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Celeste (T.C.)
Salicional
Stopped Diapason
Chimney Flute
Principal
Quartane
Trompette

8'
8'
8'
4'
2'
1 1/3', 1'
8'

Pedal Organ

1
2
3
4
5

Bourdon
Flute
Gemshorn
Grave Mixture
Trompette

16'
8'
2'
2 2/3', 2
8'

Couplers

1
2
3

Manual I to Manual II
Manual I to Pedal
Manual II to Pedal

4
5

Manual II Unison Off
Manual II Super Octave

………Here endeth the specification

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