St David's organ is in desperate need of repair

Our organ was built in 1838, with a rebuild in 1932. In recent years it has become unreliable - often playing a wrong note, or a note not playing, and just doesn't sound like it should do. Our skilled organist Jean has to cope with this every week and it sometimes just stops working! We have had have a number of emergency repairs just so that it can be played in a 'basic way'.

A recent specialist report shows that the organ needs rebuilding in order to take it through the next hundred years.

Sadly, it is not possible to get hold of the quality of leather used for all the bellows, and the advised solution is to use electromagnets. All the electrical circuitry needs replacing. The console (keyboards) need renovating and keys replacing. We also plan to install a system which which allow the organ to be recorded and played back . This will mean that organ music can be used if an organist is not available and for teaching purposes.

The organ has been used during worship, to praise God, celebrate and to mourn and played an important part in the life of the church and the community in Holmbridge since 1838. 

We want to pass on this heritage to our children and grandchildren and also to widen its use, for different forms of worship, bringing  high quality music to our community, and for young people to learn on.


Where do we go from now?

• We have now selected organ builders Wood of Huddersfield.
• We have raised approximately £30,000 (Jan 2024) through fund raising and grants
• We have been awarded a grant of £7,000 from the Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust and £2,000 from the William Brooke Benevolent Fund
• We continue to raise money ourselves with coffee mornings, concerts, open gardens etc. Helen Green's Christmas wreaths and wreath making workshops have raised a significant amount over the last few years.

What can you do to help?

• sponsor an organ pipe
• donate any amount that you wish, and give anonymously.
• Support our concerts
• Speak to us with any other fundraising ideas!

Sponsor an Organ Pipe

The organ has 744 pipes which can be sponsored from £10 to £1000

Sponsor an organ pipe in your own name, or you can commemorate a loved one or occasion, and have your inscription included in a bound leather book. You will also receive a certificate.

Pipe up to 2ft £10, 4ft pipe £20 (these pipes are hidden)

8ft pipe £50, 16ft pipe £100

Painted façade pipes £500 to include brass plaque

Painted façade pipes at the organ console £1000 + brass plaque

Complete ‘rank’ of pipes (an organ ‘stop’) £500 + brass plaque

How do I sponsor?

• Choose the pipe size/amount you want to sponsor/donate and click donate now
• If you are happy with your name being in the comments, then you can also add the exact wording you wish to go in the commemorative book - eg 'in memory of Joe Bloggs' or 'on the occasion of our 25th Wedding anniversary, Claire and Richard', if you just leave your name, this will go in the book.
• If you wish to be anonymous on Just Giving, but wish your name/occasion to go in the book, or for any queries, please contact  Sandy Wise 07718 762411

Support our concerts

https://holmbridgechurch.org.uk/ for details and how to get tickets

We can't use the organ for concerts at the moment, but we are showcasing local talent and giving young people a chance to perform.

• Cream Tea and Brass with Hepworth Band April 14th at St David's
• Musica Kirklees date to be confirmed

Help is welcomed!

• volunteer at concerts
• help with social media
• new ideas for fundraising

holmbridgeorgan@aol.com

Sandy Wise 07718 762411

If you've read this page, but feel more comfortable using a paper form and cheque/bank transfer etc - that's great too, just get in contact via email or phone.

Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.