New life for Edington’s old organ

The 1905 Henry Jones organ originally from Edington Priory Church was ceremonially launched at its new home in Tallinn, Estonia, on 5th June. 

A 20-strong group associated with the fundraising campaign for Edington’s new organ travelled to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, for the event, at the invitation of its new owners, the Gustavus Adolphus Grammar School.

The school is the only one in Estonia to have been in continuous use as a school since its foundation in 1641, and is now the proud owner of the country’s only English organ.

The city welcomed the Edington group with a civic reception in the mediaeval town hall, and the party were warmly and generously looked after by their hosts at the school.

Headmaster Hendrik Agur and organ builder Ago Tint came to Edington in January to completely dismantle the old organ with the help of some doughty hands from Edington and neighbouring villages, and transport it back by road to Tallinn.

Over the spring Ago Tint painstakingly rebuilt the organ, remaking, refurbishing, repairing and reconfiguring it so that it not only fits into its new space, but all its problems have been addressed – though some work remains to be done. The school’s senior art students have painted the front pipes in colours and to a design which complements the elegant 18th Century Meder Hall where it now sits.

The ‘new’ Henry Jones organ was officially handed over from Edington PCC to Gustavus Adolphus, and was blessed by Tallinn’s Lutheran Archbishop and Edington’s vicar Mark Jones. It is now the focus of a new Organ Festival, and the Edington group attended a wonderful recital by international Latvian organist Iveta Apkalna.

Edington Priory Church’s new Harrison and Harrison organ will be similarly launched in style at the Edington Festival which runs from 17th to 24th August.  A new work for choir and organ has been commissioned from Alec Roth, and former festival director Ashley Grote, now master of music at Norwich Cathedral, will be giving a recital on Saturday 23rd August which will show the new organ in all its glory.