THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE ― These Findon Chronicles are created by Valerie Martin and are progressively growing to be the only record of life around Findon, West Sussex, England.  Everyday stories about real people..... in fact, a potted history of the village.  The topics today, are the history of tomorrow. 

THE ORGAN IN THE BALLROOM

Copyright Valerie Martin

The items that arrive in my Inbox never cease to amaze me.    I often think I have arrived at the end of Findon's history and then something else pops into focus.    Just as it did today one cold day at the end of January 2012.

How exciting to learn that this instrument is one of the last two remaining in these Isles.   This residential pipe organ was designed to fit in rooms of larger houses and I am left with the inevitable question...... the Welte Philarmonic Autograph Organ, Model 4B was installed in the Manor sometime before the First World War, so who at the mansion was the family member filling the old place with music at that period?   Who played a recital with aplomb at Findon Place I wonder?   Obviously, it is more than a little difficult to find out after so much time has elapsed.

I will make a guess to the best of my ability and suggest it was one of the Margessons being the most likely candidate when the mansion was owned by Colonel William George Margesson (1821-1911).     By 1914, Edwin John Spencer and his wife were renting the mansion, grounds and stables from Colonel Evelyn Margesson and the organ does not seem to have been so likely installed then.

The Findon Place organ must have been a real status symbol and the magnificent epitome of musical entertainment of the era.   It contained ten ranks of pipes, and also a large drum which could be heard during performances of orchestral overtures and similar pieces.  Can you imagine the rhythm of the music vibrating around the mansion and out across the grounds.       

The instrument was, indeed, a wonder of its age.   As well as the traditional roll player, this organ also had a two manual console complete with pedals and a full complement of stops.  Therefore when the artist grew tired of listening to the rolls she/he had purchased, they could have the freedom of creating enjoyment with their own playing of compositions...... this being, of course, before the rapidly growing days of the radio. 

I have previously only heard one very brief mention of an organ being in residence at Findon Place.    This is contained in my article entitled....

 An Eerie Experience at the Church

This is where the late John Pelling's father related "there was an ancient organ in the ballroom of the manor".    I now deduce that he was referring to the Welte Philarmonic Autograph Organ we are now looking on this webpage.

Rowland Lee rather interestingly adds  ...."Valerie...Similar Organ to the Welte at Findon Place....Just in case you may be interested, this clip shows a very similarly sized organ by Welte, although this is designed for automatic playing only, and does not also have keyboards and a pedalboard for hand playing, at the Findon organ has.

This particular instrument was reputedly made for the Titanic, but was not delivered in time for the maiden voyage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zj9Bg9_2uYc&feature=related    Best wishes....Rowland"

Continue if you would like to read about Daisy Minns — Below Stairs.

THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE —  is a continually growing record created by Valerie Martin exclusively for documenting life in Findon.