Restoration of a Century-Old Masterpiece
The historic instrument, situated in the former St Anne's Church in Ynyshir, Rhondda Cynon Taf, has been meticulously brought back to life by master organ builder Kingsley Robinson of Abergavenny. Initially deemed beyond salvation, the organ's revival was made possible through a Sleeping Beauty Grant from Pipe Up for Pipe Organs, a charity dedicated to preserving Britain's pipe organ heritage.
Built by the renowned Harrison and Harrison firm in 1907, the organ had stood silent for years after the church closed. The restoration project comes just weeks after an ITV News feature highlighted the national decline of pipe organs, reporting that approximately nine church organs are sent to landfill every week across the UK.
From Church to Community Hub
The former St Anne's Church is now being transformed into Ynys Y Cwtsh, a vibrant community hub operated by the charity Champions for Ynyshir. Rather than allowing the organ to fall silent, the charity intends to make it a living part of the building's future. The instrument once accompanied generations of community events and will now do so again in a new secular context.
Laura Harrington-John, chair of Champions for Ynyshir, said: "What we've learned is that these instruments don't have to disappear. Our organ had effectively been written off and we were told it wasn't worth repairing. Thanks to the support of Pipe Up for Pipe Organs and the incredible craftsmanship of Kingsley Robinson, it now fills the building with music once again. It proves that pipe organs aren't going extinct because they can't be saved, they're disappearing because too often nobody is given the opportunity to save them."
A Future Filled with Music
Champions for Ynyshir is inviting organists, choirs, singers, and musicians to arrange visits to play the instrument and experience its unique sound in the beautiful acoustics of the former church. The charity also plans to host concerts and musical events throughout the year, alongside a public open day where local residents can discover the organ's history, hear live demonstrations, and even try playing it themselves.
The charity hopes the restoration will inspire other communities to think twice before losing historic instruments. "Every pipe organ has a story," Laura added. "They are works of engineering, craftsmanship and musical history. Ours has been given a second chance, and we hope it inspires others to look again before another instrument is lost forever."
Enquiries from choirs, organists, music societies, schools, and community groups interested in using the instrument or collaborating on future performances are now being welcomed. The organ, once destined for landfill, now stands as a testament to the power of community and craftsmanship in preserving our musical heritage.
