Risley Organ

The Organ of Risley

Parish Church

History

The organ was built in 1897 by Brindley & Foster and was paid for by Terah Hooley, a local business man.

In 1950 estimates for renovation and improvements were obtained from Henry Willis and Sons.

See Willis’ letter and estimate (click on the pages on the right)

In 2005 changes to the specification and mechanism were made by Jonathan Wallace of Henry Groves & Son, which were funded by donations and legacies.

Comment

Before the 2005 overhaul there was a real lack of variety in the tone colours available for accompanying hymn singing and playing a lot of the organ repertoire. The string stops had their uses in softer playing and as a contrast to the flute sounds, but they didn’t really justify their place.

Now we have a lot of choices for hymn accompaniment - swell to the mixture is a bright and clear ‘organo pleno’ and everything works as it should.