Music at Central:
Music has always played a strong and much-valued role in the life of the church. We have a wonderful organ and have had many superb organists who contribute and have contributed to the church’s rich heritage.
Currently we have a team of dedicated organists who accompany our worship and we are excited to see the musical life of our church gaining strength.
The Binns Organ at Central
The existing organ which had been built by Mr. Booth of Wakefield in 1863. By 1919 the instrument was in such need of repair that the committee responsible for its maintenance reported that it was not worth repairing. The Trustees of the church decided to order a new Organ and for it also to be a memorial to the men of the church who had given their lives during the 1914-1918 war.
Mr James J. Binns of Bramley was commissioned to build a new instrument which was estimated to cost £2480. He was given a free hand in the design and intimated that no expense was to be spared in producing an instrument of exceptional size and quality.
The finished organ had three manuals, 28 speaker stops, 7 pedal stops, 2 tremulants and 13 couplers with 14 combination pistons to the manuals and 7 combination toe pistons.
Over the years the organ has been maintained and received upgrades as needed. By 90 years, age was taking its toll. Behind the scenes the leather on the 5 huge bellows was beginning to split, and the air was escaping endangering the whole action of the organ. Parts of the action needed to be electrified. The “under action”, (tiny leather bellows under each windchest) were renewed and fitted with electromagnets, one for each key. A renovation was carried out, funded by an anonymous bequest. The late Mr Geoffrey Dunn, organist at the time, was instrumental in getting everything in hand.
The work was carried out by our present organ builder Mr. John Jackson of Harrogate.
The organ is played at our weekly service by our small team of organists, Mrs. Julie Tanner, Mr. Keith Webster and Mrs. Lynn Senior.
This material is gratefully received from Mr. Ian Scholes