A day by the sea! A visit to Eastbourne
Member John Ross has kindly arranged this visit to two Eastbourne venues, Christ Church with its tonally unaltered 'Father' Willis organ, and his own home with its 4-manual Vincent Woodstock pipe organ, where we shall also have tea.
First, you might like to take the sea air in the morning or over lunch. Then:
2.00 pm: Christ Church, Seaside
The 2-manual Willis organ (1880), with a most unusual case, retains its original action, including a Barker Lever! This instrument has recently been awarded an NPOR Historic Organ Certificate Grade II*.
https://npor.org.uk/survey/N15588
There is limited parking in the church car park at Christ Church. Parking is also available on nearby streets but read signs for any restrictions, e.g. Residents’ Permit only. It is approximately a one mile level walk from Eastbourne station, or buses 1, 1A and the Loop go from the stop outside the station directly to Christ Church (6 stops).
3.30 pm: John Ross home (just over a mile away)
It’s then just over a mile to John’s house, but involves quite a steep hill, so if possible please could car drivers offer lifts to those who come on public transport. At John’s house there is room on the drive for at least six cars. Reversing in is recommended. Again parking is available on adjoining streets but avoid the yellow lines outside the house.
This is an opportunity to experience a four-manual pipe organ in a house (though the specification is relatively modest, as one would expect and as one can see in the attachment). John has recently acquired this Vincent Woodstock instrument (and indeed the house), and is selling his two-manual Anton Škrabl instrument (as advertised on our website, and see attachment), which will however also be available for our visit.
Specification
Vincent Woodstock Residence Organ (2017) Glasgow, (2024) Eastbourne
Mechanical key action
Electric slider (solenoid) and combination action Manuals 58 notes, Pedals 30 notes
GREAT
Open Diapason 8
Stopped Diapason 8 (shared with Choir)
Principal 4
SWELL
Violin Diapason 8 Flute 4
Twelfth 2 2/3 Fifteenth 2 Seventeenth 1 3/5 Oboe 8 Tremulant
CHOIR
Dulciana 8
Celeste 8
Stopped Diapason 8
Unda Maris 8 (= Dulciania + Celeste)
SOLO
Fagotto 16
Clarinet 8
Trumpet 8
PEDAL
Violone 16 (metal, 1-12 stopped)
Radiating concave pedalboard
Couplers
Great to Pedal Swell to Pedal Solo to Pedal Swell to Great Solo to Great
Accessories
6 General thumb pistons
4 thumb pistons to Solo, Swell (duplicated by foot pistons), and Great
3 foot pistons to Pedal
Great to Pedal reversible foot piston Swell Tremulant reversible foot piston
Followed by tea, provided by John.
It is a half mile to walk to the station from John’s house, thankfully downhill this time!
The cost of the day will be £8, payable on the day, covering afternoon tea (cakes and sandwiches) and a donation to the church. Please book Kevin Grafton (kevingrafton@hotmail.com) by midday on Monday 9th September, to guarantee the availability of a tea. Please advise any specific dietary requirements, with which we will endeavour to comply.
