History of the Organ at St.Nicolas
The present organ was ordered, on March 6th 1906, by Mr. George E. Bellis of "The Dell" Middleton Hall Road. Ordered from and built by Norman & Beard - it was completed in September 1906. Similar organs were built, at the same time, in the new (now demolished) churches at Stirchley and Cotteridge (the original Ascension and St. Agnes respectively).
Costing £671-10-0 in total, the bill was divided into £646 for the building itself, £25 for decoration of the front pipes (within the Quebec Pine casework) and 10/- for the blowers' signal (specifications at end).
Its predecessor was built in 1857 at a cost of £216 by Joseph Halmshaw of Birmingham (and may have stood near the base of the tower), and re-erected in 1875 after a new design by Mr. J.A. Chatwin to fit in the new chamber designed as part of the restored church. Nothing is known of its size or specification.
By October 1936, Mr. Sudworth was complaining that the swell reeds were losing their tuning - despite quarterly visits by William Hill and Son and Norman Beard, Ltd. The cost of fitting new tongues to replace the fatigued brass tongues - and also to revoice the two stops was £29-10-0. This included carriage to and from the factory, which was in London. At an additional cost of £4-10-0 the couplers were replaced and, possibly at the same time, the hand blower was replaced with an electric discus blower.
A pipe organ has a long life - span providing it has regular minor attention (tuning etc.) and regular overhauls of varying degrees of magnitude. The most lengthy work to be carried out on our organ was during 1940's. In September 1944, a long correspondence began between Churchwardens, Mr. Masters (Organist) and William Hill and Son and Norman Beard Ltd. (now at their evacuation address in Lewes, Sussex). The requested overhaul was to take place five weeks, and cost £100. The eventual work, with all the restraints of war-time, the lack of new materials and prohibitive taxes meant that work didn't begin until 1948 and was not complete until June 1949. The final cost was £180-15-0 and had included new thumb pistons and pneumatic mechanisms for other accessories. These additional works were suggested, and paid for, by Mr. Masters - "a special Thank offering Gift to Almighty God for our own merciful deliverance during this last war".
Almost at its half century, the organ received its biggest overhaul. In 1964 it was completely stripped down, several parts renewed, the frontal was altered (including re-housing and colouring the exposed pipework) and the woodwork was carried out by John Kennerly (Alto 1917 - 1976). New stops were created and the whole organ was revoiced. The work was carried out by Rushworth and Dreaper and cost approximately £3000. The opening recital was given by Arnold Richardson on 19th April 1964 and included J.S. Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor, Frank's Prelude, Fugue and Variations, pieces by Haydn, Mendelssohn and Whitlock and finished with a flourish with Toccata (Symph 5) by Widor.
Apart from tuning - and an electric motor replacement - all was quiet until 1976 when the organist, Peter Carder, asked for another overhaul to be considered. Several schemes were put forward - including some to bring the sound out of the stone chamber into which the organ was originally built. Sadly, the church council found these schemes too expensive and a compromise of overhaul and some alterations of specification was arrived at. Work continued from September 1976 to January 1977 and was carried out by our present Organ Builders, Hawkins and Son (then of Walsall Wood, now Lichfield). Apart from revoicing the Great Flute and Swell Voix Celeste, a Swell Principal 4' and a Larigot 1α were introduced, the Great Dulciana 8' was transformed into a Quartane II and Sub Octave tone and a Resultant Bass Pedal were created. The other major change was that the action was electrified. Costing £4000 + VAT the work was completed in time for an opening recital on 20th February 1977. Antony Le Fleming played a programme including works by J.S.Bach, Schumann, Sweelinck, Vivaldi and Wesley.
Regular tuning has been the order of the day since 1977, and in 1996, with another new face at the organ, another overhaul was instigated. No major alterations were involved this time – just sufficient repair and maintenance work to ensure the instrument made it to through to its 100th Birthday, and beyond, in good playing order.
Sources: J.V.Melling - St. Nicolas, Kings Norton
C.A.P. Rogers 1971
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