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From the Diocesan Organs Adviser

Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches

Webpage:   http://www.duresme.org.uk/doa.htm

St James, Castle Eden: Organ – MO293

The organ was designed and built in 1896 by James J Binns, organ builders of Leeds, then with growing renown and significance, in the same year as their magnum opus at St Aidan, Roundhay Road, Leeds.  
             
St James’s organ occupies a compact rectangular footprint in a spacious chamber south of the chancel, with ample egress for sound forwards via the rounded arch to the chancel and a subsidiary opening to the south aisle of the nave.  The main case in pitch pine, with the attached console with zinc pipe array in 3 flats above, is on the north front; the rear corners of the organ are marked with tall castellated posts, matching the 4 front posts; the sides and rear of the organ are enclosed by tongue and groove boarding to impost height, hiding and protecting the interior.  

The organ-builder’s estimate books survive (in private hands) in Huddersfield.   However, the organ appears to have been built new in 1896, with 8 stops on 2 manuals and pedals, and a mechanical key and stop action – a nice example of small organ in then fashionable Romantic style.  The Great has no proper chorus, but has lovely distinctive Flutes at unison and octave pitch, a firm sounding Dulciana, and the Open Diapason for volume, whilst the Swell contains softer enclosed flutes (at 8ft and 4ft) and a pungent string rank. Even with such a limited number of stops the organ has variety and sings out clearly and effectively into the building accommodating perhaps 250 persons. The organ has been used in concerts, having many accompanimental possibilities, as well as for church services.

Some maintenance has been undertaken through the organ’s lifetime, although probably very little other than tuning, since the interior surfaces are evidently quite dirty with dust. It has not been possible to remove any side panelling to have a close view of the working parts of the organ. Nevertheless, at the console all seemed to be working well, with well-adjusted mechanical actions and couplings to the manuals, and free movement of the stops. There is little if any wind noise from the organ itself, and, knowing Binns’ quality of work, the leather-work on the bellows should be sound for a while yet.  A routine cleaning and overhaul would certainly leave the organ in excellent state for continued service.

As the church building has closed and this organ is no longer required at Castle Eden, proper recognition should be given to its compact yet useful design and quality of construction by a worthy organ maker. It would readily dismantle, transfer and could be restored and re-erected economically, and would serve the modest musical needs of another user for many years to come.  Every effort should be made to find this deserving organ a new home where it can continue to be used and be appreciated.

 Richard Hird

10th October 2016
Organ in St James, Castle Eden   (National Pipe Organ Register ref. G00344)
Built by James J Binns, Leeds (1896).   A brass plate above the console suggests
the organ was a gift to the church by, or in memory of Rowland Burdon.

Stoplist
Great (58 notes)
1. Open Diapason      8     [basses in front]
2. Gedact                    8
3. Dulciana                 8        [gr. bass]
4. Flauto Traverso         4

 Swell to Great

Swell (58 notes)
5. Lieblich Gedact     8        
6. Gamba        8     [gr. bass]    
7. Lieblich Flote         4        
 
Pedal (30 notes – parallel/concave)
8. Bourdon              16          
Great to Pedal
Swell to Pedal

Manual key and stop actions mechanical, pedals key action tubular pneumatic;
Balanced Swell Pedal;   diagonal jambs; ivory stop knobs; sliding doors.
Casework – 3 flat pipe rack front of zinc pipes with side posts and cross rail, over pine panelling.
T+G boarding to sides and rear.
Discus blower sited to rear left of organ.

Dimensions:      Front width – 2.65m;   
 Depth – 2.3m + pedals/organist space [35cm] in front;
 Height – estimate floor to top of central pipe – 5.3m (the maximum height
 internally, to top of Swell box, approx. 4.2m)

For further details or information please contact:

Bill Heslop [Diocesan Churches Officer], 

Cuthbert House,

Stonebridge, 

DURHAM DH1 3RY

Tel. 01388 660001

E-mail: churches@durham.anglican.org.