Renovation and

Repair at Reed

Church

Work over the last 15 years, and

plans for the future

A substantial programme of renovation and repair has taken place at St Mary’s over the past fifteen years, including three major projects, encompassing careful renovation of both the interior and exterior of the building. In 2006 the East Window underwent total refurbishment. In 2009, a complete renovation of the inside of the Church was undertaken, as well as the provision of a new French drain and associated soakaways. And in 2019 we embarked on the most significant project of all, this time to the exterior of the building, including repointing of the tower, and extensive repair and renovation to external masonry and windows. This significant programme of work has only been possible through the generosity of countless people – including everyone who has supported Church and Friends of Reed Church events – and also through the generosity of numerous grant-making bodies, in particular, the Turney Village Trust. While the Parish can take pride that our Church is in a better state than it has been for very many years, there is yet more to be done. Two significant projects are currently being developed. First, a project to provide the Church with a fine new organ. The current organ at St Mary’s was “economically” installed in the 1970s and although it has seen good service it is now reaching the end of its useful life. And second, a project to provide St Mary’s with a WC and kitchenette facility, allowing greater and more comfortable use of the Church by all.

Update on the

Organ Project

The organ at St Mary’s was “economically” installed in the 1970s and although it has seen good service it was reaching the end of its useful life. An ambitious fundraising project was launched aiming to raise £150,000 to commission and install a beautiful new organ. Fundraising - which included a 24-hour organ marathon by organist Paul Harrison - has proved extraordinarily successful and the good news is that the funding target of was reached by the summer of 2021 and this has enabled the team to sign the contract with preferred Organ Builder, FH Browne and Sons. FH Browne & Sons are now trading as Mander Organs, and you may have noticed their team dismantling the old organ. This will make space for the new organ and enable Mander to re-use parts, including pipes from the current organ, in the new instrument. We are also pleased to confirm that our new organ has already begun being built at Mander’s workshop and will be brought into the church to be completed. The works are expected to be complete by the end of 2022 and events will be arranged to show off the quality of our new instrument and allow everyone to see, hear and enjoy its beauty. We look forward to bringing you regular updates on the organ’s progress in the coming months and we hope to share photographs of its development. Grateful thanks to everyone who has enabled us to progress this project and allow our new instrument to begin its build. Installation of the new organ will involve further building work and re-ordering of the west end of the nave. Read the detailed statement of need and schedule of works. Read more about the organ project