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I met Peter Bumstead on an organ tour of Holland, and he sowed the seeds of a small practice instrument, specifically to practise Bach Trio Sonatas (I have now mastered all except No.6 iii).

Initially envisaged as a couple of stops on each manual, the scheme grew inevitably (within the confines of the existing soundboard) and now the organ is a very characterful English-style instrument, typical of Mr Bumstead.

Originally designed to be accommodated within the lounge, it now stands in a purpose-built music room which is lofty enough to provide a nice "bloom" to the acoustic.

This mechanical action instrument was completed by Peter Bumstead in 1993 and contains material from an 1895 Bishop organ – i.e. manual soundboard, re-framed and re-covered keyboards, partly remouthed Pedal Bourdon. The majority of the manual pipework is new, as is the frame, case, wind system, drawstop action, Tremulant, pedal coupler mechanism, pedal board and pedal soundboard.

There is a very useful pedal-operated sliding mechanism which silences any or all of the drawn "top 3" stops on Manual I.

The pipe-shades of lime were carved by Andrew Beckwith and the pine case is decorated in hand-painting by Nicola O’Connor.

There is always some desired improvement and in my case it is the winding system. The blower and reservoir are contained within the casing as was dictated by the original site-plan, but in the end there is a sort of cellar below the organ and so, when funds permit, Peter Bumstead plans to move the blower down below with a larger reservoir ducted through the floorboards.

Our dogs are well-behaved and no additional security is needed, though our terrier Harry does like to walk the pedal-board, with random results.

The two manual and pedal house organ, completed 1993, incorporates parts of a "Carrington" organ by Bishop & Son, 1895, viz…

• Manual soundboard
• Keyboards, re-framed and re-covered
• Manual action splayed backfall beams
• Pedal Bourdon, partly re-mouthed
• Open Diapason, now incorporated into Principal 4' and Pedal Principal 8'

The frame, case, wind system, drawstop action, tremulant, adjustable stool, pedal coupler mechanism, pedalboard, pedal soundboard, and the majority of the manual pipes are new.

Click here to view a picture gallery of the construction project of the Peter Bumstead organ at the Hallett residence.

Manual I

plain metal

plain metal

plain/spotted

Manual II

Stop Diapason *

8'

wood

Open Flute *

4'

wood

Vox Humana

8'

plain metal (Tenor C)

Pedal

Couplers

Wind pressure:

Key frames, pedal frame and music desk panel of Oak

Music desk and stop-knobs of American Walnut

Naturals re-covered in Birch; ebony sharps retained

Architectural case of Pine, painted by Nicola O'Connor

Pipe-shades of Lime, designed and carved by Andrew Beckwith

The Vox Humana is an Oboe stop, cut-down to half-length, except the bottom 7 notes which are quarter-length.

The front pipes are the bass of the Manual Principal and Twelfth.

Dimensions:

Width = 5' 2"
Depth = 3' 6" (5' 10" to back of stool)
Height = 7' 10" (Case; highest pipe 8' 3")