New life in France for organ rescued from Methodist chapel in Winston

AN HISTORIC pipe organ is heading for France after being rescued from an abandoned Methodist chapel in Teesdale.
The chapel, in Winston, which dates back to 1902, closed last summer because it was no longer viable, leaving the future of its antique organ uncertain.
Now organ restoration experts have dismantled the instrument to refurbish it before finding it a new home on the continent.
The chapel received the organ from Walworth Castle.
Expert restorer Martin Renshaw, who is part of the team that removed the organ, said it has yet to be determined where it will finally be housed because the removal came so soon.
The cost of collecting the organ was carried by Mr Renshaw and a colleague from France.
He said: “The history of the organ is that it was made in 1863-4 for the ballroom at Walworth Castle, following alterations to the castle.”
It was commissioned by the Aylmer family, who were almost wiped out in the Abergele railway accident four years later.
“The organ is a particularly well-made instrument,” said Mr Renshaw.
“It seems, though this is not yet confirmed, to have been made by W Holt, we think, of Bradford. There is an inaccessible trade card inside the organ which we will be able to read only when that component is fully dismantled for restoration.”
Researcher and organist for St Mary’s Church, in Cockerton, Frances Kelly explained that the organ came to Winston chapel in 1950.
She said: “Gerald Percy Vivian Aylmer eventually inherited the castle and following his death in 1936, the executors of his estate directed that Walworth Castle and its contents should be sold by auction.
“It seems the organ remained in the music room at Walworth Castle until 1950 when Durham County Council bought the castle to use as a senior girls’ school for the educationally sub-normal.
“In 1950 the organ was bought, removed and installed in Winston Methodist Chapel. The opening and dedication was held on November 11, 1950.”
The removal of the organ to France is the latest in a long list of organs that have been rescued in Britain and taken across the channel.
Mr Renshaw said: “This is about the 40th unwanted UK organ I have taken, or caused to be taken, to France. All of these have been carefully restored and are giving excellent service in churches, schools and private houses there, all along the west and north coastal areas.”