Why are Wells Cathedral's organ pipes being sent for repair?

Nearly 4,000 pipes from Wells Cathedral's grand organ are being sent for repair due to mechanical faults that threatened its operability.

How long will the organ repairs at Wells Cathedral take?

The organ repairs, which involve transporting 4,000 pipes to Durham, are expected to be completed by summer 2027.

What is the cost of the organ refurbishment at Wells Cathedral?

The refurbishment project for the Wells Cathedral organ has a total cost of £3m, with The Friends of Wells Cathedral committing two-thirds of this amount.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Grand Organ's 4,000 Pipes Embark on 300-Mile Repair Journey

Grand Organ's 4,000 Pipes Embark on 300-Mile Repair Journey

10 Feb

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Summary

Nearly 4,000 organ pipes are being repaired 300 miles away.
A £3m refurbishment project is underway at Wells Cathedral.
Repairs are expected to be completed by summer 2027.

Grand Organ's 4,000 Pipes Embark on 300-Mile Repair Journey

Wells Cathedral is undertaking a major £3m refurbishment of its historic grand organ, a project essential to prevent imminent mechanical failure. Nearly 4,000 of the organ's pipes, along with its wind reservoirs, electrical systems, and console, have been carefully packed into 60 crates.

These vital components are now on a 300-mile journey to a specialist workshop in Durham, operated by organ builders Harrison & Harrison. This extensive repair work is scheduled for completion in summer 2027.

Director of Music Timothy Parsons noted the organ's increasing unreliability leading up to Christmas. A temporary organ has been installed to maintain musical services during the restoration. The Friends of Wells Cathedral are a lead partner, committing two-thirds of the project's total cost.