How The Organ Was Built

The organ is built around a set of 'Pell' modular organ pipes. These were made by Alan Pell of Lincolnshire and fitted into the organ. I wanted an organ that was different from others that I had seen. After looking at various styles on the show grounds I decided that a design based on 'canal ware' would look colorful.

The organ started life as a table top version, decorated for a Christmas fair in November 2003. Once the fair was finished, the pipes were removed ready to fit into the road trailer. This was purchased from Agrimark Trailers of Norwich.

 

The original design assumed a slightly higher trailer and this had to be modified slightly due to the trailer having a smaller opening panel as the wheels were outside rather than under the trailer. This gives more stability whilst being towed.  This did mean, however, that the pipes, glockenspiel, drums and cymbal could all be open and on display.

The panels for the organ front were cut out of MDF and were given five coats of primer, undercoat and gloss before having the timber frames fitted.
Once these were fitted, the panels went off to Canal Craft (York) for the decorative artwork to be done. The sign writing was done locally by a professional sign writer. Once all the paintwork was finished, the lights were fitted and wired up. These were supplied from Remco in Derbyshire.

In the meantime, the flashing lights around the trailer opening were fitted onto conduit and wired up into four channels. These were fastened to a timber framework just inside the trailer front.
Once all the panels were completed, a timber framework was constructed in the trailer to support all the decorative panels. The framework also supports the drums, glockenspiel and pipe work.

The bass drum is mounted in a plywood frame with the bellows and hammer being mounted in front. The cymbal is mounted in front of the bass drum so that the hammer strikes both at the same time.
The side drum is suspended on eight straps to enable it to be adjusted. Again the bellows and drum hammers are mounted on the timber framework in front.

The glockenspiel is set above the side drum.
The cello rank of pipes are set above the bass drum.

Behind the bass drum is the large 16' bass helper rank of five pipes. These are the only pipes that are not visible to the public.
Once all the instruments were fitted, the remaining cladding was added and the sign panel was fitted above the pipes.

To finish the effect, a small set of curtains was attached to cover the space left for the violin register of pipes.
The violin register of 12 pipes was fitted later in 2004 to complete the organ. A second rank of bourdon pipes and a second rank of violin pipes were fitted at the same time. These being tuned 'celeste' to give a traditional sound to the organ.
  The organ is controlled by an electronic 'midi' player which controls solenoids under each pipe. When opened, the valve lets wind up the pipe from the wind chest. This is kept full by an electric blower.