Huge grant boosts Wimbledon organ restoration bid (From Surrey Comet)

Huge grant boosts Wimbledon organ restoration bid

6:00am Thursday 18th March 2010 in

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A century-old organ is set to hit the right notes again after the church it is housed in won a huge restoration grant.

The instrument at Sacred Heart Church in Wimbledon was built in 1912 by JW Walker & Sons, and is the only surviving large Walker organ from this period.

It is still used for services and music classes - although its fading condition means it is no longer played at concerts.

Now a £237,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, announced on Monday, will return the organ to its former glory.

The money will spark concerts, exhibitions and workshops with schools at the Edge Hill church.

Two organ restoration apprenticeships will also be created with the cash.

Parish priest Father Keith McMillan said: “The parish itself has already raised over £70,000 through its concerts, organ recitals, and generous donations – with this grant we are now in sight of reaching the total amount needed to complete the project.”