Welcome to Star Organs of Britain
Our churches, chapels and concert halls
are home to beautiful examples of the organ builder's art many of which go unrecorded because they lie off the beaten
track or are otherwise inaccessible. This treasure house is declining through neglect brought on by changes in musical
fashions and redundancy as churches and chapels close.Star Organs of Britain aims to bring you these hidden gems in photography which captures not only the organs themselves but also the atmosphere of their surroundings. Only natural light is used to photograph them and all images are captured on large format guaranteeing very high quality reproduction so heightening the sense of discovery and location. All organs are described with their specifications and a synoptic history.
Latest News
October 2023
Star Organs of Britain Calendar 2024
This year's offering is something of a bumper edition described by an insider as having some 'very impressive' organs.
I had the opportunity to visit North Wales thanks to one of our regular subscribers who put me in touch with some stunning examples of the organ builder's art. The Peter Conacher organ in the Seilo Welsh Chapel in Llandudno was a wonderful find, as was the later but equally impressive Wordsworth organ in Peniel Chapel, Trefriw. These are but two examples of a rapidly dwindling treasure house of instruments in this part of the British Isles. Chapel closures are proceeding at an unprecedented rate and it is a matter of increasing concern given the quality of quite a number of the organs which were so much part of the religious life of these communities, many of which are holding on by a shoestring.
Elsewhere, we find an impressive, large Bevington organ in Wellington nr. Telford and, at the opposite end of the scale, a delightful little Bishop & Son at Salhouse in Norfolk housed in one of their distinctive cases of a somewhat unusual design; beautifully made to the firm's traditional high standards. Staying in Norfolk, we have another Bishop instrument, this time a barrel and finger organ from 1845 which has survived virtually intact and in good working order at North Lopham church in the south of the county.
Finally, mention should be made of an early Thomas Lewis at Great Wenham in Suffolk - a 'multum in parvo' scheme - and a very early John Laycock organ from 1851, originally loaned to a Baptist Chapel in Sutton-in-Craven but rescued quite recently and now residing in Bodelwyddan Church on the North Wales coast.
This year's offering is something of a bumper edition described by an insider as having some 'very impressive' organs.
I had the opportunity to visit North Wales thanks to one of our regular subscribers who put me in touch with some stunning examples of the organ builder's art. The Peter Conacher organ in the Seilo Welsh Chapel in Llandudno was a wonderful find, as was the later but equally impressive Wordsworth organ in Peniel Chapel, Trefriw. These are but two examples of a rapidly dwindling treasure house of instruments in this part of the British Isles. Chapel closures are proceeding at an unprecedented rate and it is a matter of increasing concern given the quality of quite a number of the organs which were so much part of the religious life of these communities, many of which are holding on by a shoestring.
Elsewhere, we find an impressive, large Bevington organ in Wellington nr. Telford and, at the opposite end of the scale, a delightful little Bishop & Son at Salhouse in Norfolk housed in one of their distinctive cases of a somewhat unusual design; beautifully made to the firm's traditional high standards. Staying in Norfolk, we have another Bishop instrument, this time a barrel and finger organ from 1845 which has survived virtually intact and in good working order at North Lopham church in the south of the county.
Finally, mention should be made of an early Thomas Lewis at Great Wenham in Suffolk - a 'multum in parvo' scheme - and a very early John Laycock organ from 1851, originally loaned to a Baptist Chapel in Sutton-in-Craven but rescued quite recently and now residing in Bodelwyddan Church on the North Wales coast.
October 2021
Covid continues to rear its ugly head but undaunted, your intrepid photographer has been out and about with maximum safeguarding to bring you 2022's edition of the Star Organs of Britain calendar.
This time we take a peek inside churches vested in the Churches Conservation Trust at Burley, Rutland, a delightful little Nicholson in a case by J L Pearson, and Holdenby in Northamptonshire where a project is underway to resurrect the derelict Wordsworth & Maskell instrument built in 1874 to the design of F H Sutton. The proposed restoration is being supervised by Dr William McVicker.
Well off the beaten track are Naughton in Suffolk which is home to a beautifully preserved, large chamber organ by Robert Gray built in 1777 and, in similar vein but a few decades later, we find a charming Bryceson barrel and finger organ in Helhoughton, Norfolk from 1852.
At the other end of the scale is Abbott & Smiths' showpiece instrument in All Souls, Blackman Lane, Leeds. This is an astonishing discovery embodying almost the first and last periods of this exceptionally talented firm incorporating work from 1881 and 1938 with casefronts by A Crawford Hick of Newcastle. It survives almost intact.
Finally, we cannot finish without a mention of the Gray & Davison organ in Sutton Veny church, Wiltshire. The pipefront is a riot of colour and movement which necessitated a separate tracker action. This stunning ensemble is more than complemented by J L Pearson's masterly architecture.
This time we take a peek inside churches vested in the Churches Conservation Trust at Burley, Rutland, a delightful little Nicholson in a case by J L Pearson, and Holdenby in Northamptonshire where a project is underway to resurrect the derelict Wordsworth & Maskell instrument built in 1874 to the design of F H Sutton. The proposed restoration is being supervised by Dr William McVicker.
Well off the beaten track are Naughton in Suffolk which is home to a beautifully preserved, large chamber organ by Robert Gray built in 1777 and, in similar vein but a few decades later, we find a charming Bryceson barrel and finger organ in Helhoughton, Norfolk from 1852.
At the other end of the scale is Abbott & Smiths' showpiece instrument in All Souls, Blackman Lane, Leeds. This is an astonishing discovery embodying almost the first and last periods of this exceptionally talented firm incorporating work from 1881 and 1938 with casefronts by A Crawford Hick of Newcastle. It survives almost intact.
Finally, we cannot finish without a mention of the Gray & Davison organ in Sutton Veny church, Wiltshire. The pipefront is a riot of colour and movement which necessitated a separate tracker action. This stunning ensemble is more than complemented by J L Pearson's masterly architecture.
October 2020
New site updates are now completed, all flash (most browsers will not support flash in 2021) related items are now removed so everyone using any browser or OS (Windows or Mac)
can now enjoy each and every slideshow and image within the galleries of each county.
October 2019
Continuing our forays along the highways and byways of the British organ, 2020's 'Star Organs of Britain' calendar takes a look at
some delightful but unknown examples from rural Gloucestershire including a Walker instrument decorated in a striking mannor by
Stephen Dykes Bower and set in the equally lovely surroundings of North Cerney church.
Staying with the Walker theme, we have three further instruments to be found in Maresfield church, East Sussex with a sumptuous casefront by John Oldrid Scott; another from Great Badminton, a variant of Walker's marvellous little 'model' organs from around the turn of the nineteenth century, here a classically inspired casefront by Temple Moore and lastly, the beautiful little instrument at Shottesbrooke, Berkshire.
We also feature another Willis masterpiece, this time the currently unplayable, yet widely regarded as outstanding, instrument in St Dunstan's, Edge Hill, Liverpool. The organ has a rare example of Willis's 'Floating Lever' key action and must be considered a prime contender for sympathetic, historic restoration. Finally, a modern instrument: Peter Collin's three manual neo-classical instrument for Southampton University which has now been happily rehomed in Orford Parish church in Suffolk.
Staying with the Walker theme, we have three further instruments to be found in Maresfield church, East Sussex with a sumptuous casefront by John Oldrid Scott; another from Great Badminton, a variant of Walker's marvellous little 'model' organs from around the turn of the nineteenth century, here a classically inspired casefront by Temple Moore and lastly, the beautiful little instrument at Shottesbrooke, Berkshire.
We also feature another Willis masterpiece, this time the currently unplayable, yet widely regarded as outstanding, instrument in St Dunstan's, Edge Hill, Liverpool. The organ has a rare example of Willis's 'Floating Lever' key action and must be considered a prime contender for sympathetic, historic restoration. Finally, a modern instrument: Peter Collin's three manual neo-classical instrument for Southampton University which has now been happily rehomed in Orford Parish church in Suffolk.
October 6th 2017
Star Organs of Britain Calendar 2019 features the well-known Harrison and Harrison organ in St Botolph's,
Boston – a magnificent, late example of the classic Harrison style of the early twentieth century – together with a
not so well-known example of R A Cousans' work just round the corner in Boston Centenary Methodist Church.
We also explore some little known instruments tucked away in churches within a stone's throw of the A16 between Boston and Spalding. Two outstanding examples of Henry Willis II's work in Liverpool also feature including the absolutely wonderful 4 manual instrument in Christ Church, Port Sunlight which is now as Willis left it and a testament not only to the Willis tonal ethos but the firm's superb engineering skills with pneumatic action systems. The small organ is not left out either and we feature a delightful example of Norman & Beards' work from the 1890's in Yaxham church near Dereham, Norfolk.
Finally, my apologies to all who have contacted me asking whether a calendar was going to appear this year. I have finally completed my PhD at Cardiff and, barring some administrative bits and bobs, hope to be 'doctored' by the end of the year. This has rather divided my time but I hope very much you enjoy 'Star Organs of Britain Calendar 2019'.
We also explore some little known instruments tucked away in churches within a stone's throw of the A16 between Boston and Spalding. Two outstanding examples of Henry Willis II's work in Liverpool also feature including the absolutely wonderful 4 manual instrument in Christ Church, Port Sunlight which is now as Willis left it and a testament not only to the Willis tonal ethos but the firm's superb engineering skills with pneumatic action systems. The small organ is not left out either and we feature a delightful example of Norman & Beards' work from the 1890's in Yaxham church near Dereham, Norfolk.
Finally, my apologies to all who have contacted me asking whether a calendar was going to appear this year. I have finally completed my PhD at Cardiff and, barring some administrative bits and bobs, hope to be 'doctored' by the end of the year. This has rather divided my time but I hope very much you enjoy 'Star Organs of Britain Calendar 2019'.
October 6th 2017
Star Organs of Britain 2018 features some little known treasures from my home county, Norfolk, together with glimpses of some
organs not normally open to the public. St Andrew the Less, Cambridge, also known as The Abbey Church, is one such. The exquisite
organ case designed by the Rev'd John Gibson houses an instrument thought to be by George Dawson. Both are currently under threat
while the future of the building is debated. Elsewhere, we feature two little known examples of the work of
Bodley & Garner, at Ecchinswell and Grimston, the latter containing a memorial tablet to Thomas Bodley, G F Bodley's brother. Our cover photograph features
an early example of the English neo-classical organ, the Cedric Arnold, Williamson & Hyatt instrument from 1965 described
by Cecil Clutton as 'an indisputable masterpiece'. Finally, some early small organs by William Hill, 1846, at Butterton,
and John Nicholson, 1845, at Chetwode. Not to be missed!
October 15th 2016
Dear Organ-lovers, some of you may know that for several years I have been wrestling with a doctoral thesis about the Organs
and Organists of Great Yarmouth Parish Church from 1733 until 1895. This is now entering its final stages and is hopefully
due for submission next year. For this reason alone, I have decided not to issue a calendar for 2017 as I really need to
get on with my research and see it completed in good time. Normal service will be resumed in 2018 as I am anxious to
ensure continued publication and, from the letters I’ve received, I know how much you value the calendar as a record of
the British Organ. I have recently upgraded my camera equipment which should see photographs of really sparkling quality
in 2018. Please watch this space. Best wishes, Andrew Hayden
September 24, 2015
The 2016 calendars are available to purchase online now. Visit the Products page to buy and see the line up for 2016
March 05, 2015
New counties added to the gallery.
New additions are:
Essex
Northamptonshire
Oxfordshire
Somerset
Wales
More will be added very soon so please come back to check out the latest
New additions are:
Essex
Northamptonshire
Oxfordshire
Somerset
Wales
More will be added very soon so please come back to check out the latest
November 02, 2014
New counties added to the gallery.
New additions are:
Gloucestershire
Herefordshire
Huntingdon
Kent
Leicestershire
Middlesex
Nottinghamshire
Rutland
Surrey
Sussex
Yorkshire
New additions are:
Gloucestershire
Herefordshire
Huntingdon
Kent
Leicestershire
Middlesex
Nottinghamshire
Rutland
Surrey
Sussex
Yorkshire
October 06, 2014
Welcome all to our new site, some of the gallery is still under construction but we are now able to offer online
purchase of all of our items on the products page. We can accept paypal and ALL major credit and debit cards to make
your shopping much easier. Should you have any comments or problems, please don't hesitate to contact us and we will
get back to you as soon as possible.
October 04, 2014
The 2015 calendars are available to purchase online now. Visit the Products page to buy and see the line up for 2015