Thanks to all those members of the Parish who attended the Annual General last Sunday 8 November and those who sent their apologies. It was wonderful to see such a good turn out. If you don’t have a copy of the Annual Report yet and would like to receive one please send a request to office@standrews.org.nz
I promised that I would report on my recent visit to the South Island Organ Company in Timaru to check progress on our Croft pipe organ. I also talked about the work of the Ministry Settlement Board, which is responsible for searching for a new Minister. That work was delayed by the lockdown earlier in the year but the position has now been advertised and I have included the advertisement below.
Ben and I visited the organ factory in Timaru on 15 October 2020 during our recent South Island road trip. John and Val Hargraves, who are the owners, graciously hosted us. Organ building is truly the work of artisans and we were greatly impressed by the precision and skill that John and his team exhibited as we walked around the different parts of the factory. The Croft is currently in parts. In the woodwork shop we watched the bellows being repaired and re-sealed with goatskin leather using hot glue, replacing the perished leather and duct tape. The woodworkers are also making elegant new trunking to replace the old mishmash of wood, plastic and vinyl (which caused the organ to hiss). The Croft’s pipes are currently being tested and repaired on the ‘voicing machine’. John built this machine himself many years ago when he first joined the company. We watched Moritz in the machine shop making small wooden, round devices to be added to the pedals to make them easier to play. Moritz will be in charge of reinstallation of the organ at St Andrew’s in February and March 2021. The woodwork on the console has been restored and the stops renewed and replaced as appropriate. It is now waiting for the computerised electrical system to arrive from the US.
The photos above illustrate these different aspects of restoration. We are truly fortunate to have such talented organ builders who are lovingly restoring the Croft.
As at 31 October 2020 we have another $49,017 to raise to meet our budget of $500,000. Thanks to everyone who is continuing with the many and various fundraising activities and for your donations. We are nearly there but need a final push over the next few months. We will have the organ back in time for Easter 2021. Peter Franklin and I are also working on a ‘welcome home’ extravaganza for the evening of Sunday 2 May. Please put that date in your diary.
Finally, Sandra and Tony Kirby are taking the service this coming Sunday.
Lynne
To view the full e-news click on this link: https://mailchi.mp/070fbde0a8bf/this-weeks-newsletter-from-st-andrews-on-the-terrace-3914545
