Weʼre raising £300,000 to Help restore the historic Henry Willis 2 organ at St.Anne’s, Aigburth. So it can be used for services, concerts and teaching.

Built in 1913 by leading organ builders of the time,  Messrs Henry Willis & Sons, at the cost of £1660. The instrument originally lived in the south transept and was built to the highest standards, using the best materials available of the day. Eight months after installation, the organ was damaged as a result of an arson attack on the church by suffragettes. This meant the entire instrument had to be uninstalled and repaired due to being drenched with water and damaged by heat and smoke.

In 1915 a new chancel was built at the church with a purpose built organ chamber and the organ was moved. In 1917 the casework was added by the Brocklebank family in memory of their son, who had fallen in action. The Brocklebanks were major ship owners in Liverpool. It is designed to match the existing woodwork in the chancel.

This is how the organ has remained since. There have been a few minor changes to the action and wind supply but  the instrument is still running on its original parts.

After 109 years of service to St. Anne’s it is time for some much needed TLC. Like with any machine with moving parts there is wear and tear, the leather work becomes frail and pipe work needs attention and the general build up of 109 years of dirt needs to be cleaned. The original blowing apparatus that generates the wind for the pipes is incredibly unique, being the only surviving original example left in the world (currently bypassed by an inferior modern blower). When installed the planned specification was not complete and is missing two prepared for sounds.

We have been using the isntrument in its current frail state to hold concerts of various styles and contexts to show off the versatiltiy and tonal resources of the instrument. We are also in the proccess of piloting an Organ scholarship in partnership  with St. Margarets Church of England Academy. Offering 2 years of tuition for successful scholars. This aims to support the next generation of organists in Liverpool  and keep the instrument in use as a teaching tool.

It is our intention to restore this organ back to its 1913 state. Including the reinstatement of the original blowing apparatus and the completion of the specification. All pipe work will be taken away to be cleaned and restored. Leather work will be renewed. The large sound boards on which the pipes stand will be opened up to be restored. Once done, it will be an instrument of national importance.