Restoration Works

 

Pipe Organ

Concerts in August
A wonderful opportunity to support the preservation efforts for one of Guyana’s national monuments, the St. George’s Cathedral!

Featuring the Myriad Singers of Barbados, prize-winning pannists Parkside Steel Orchestra and other performers. In aid of the renovation of the St. George's Cathedral Pipe Organ. [more]

 

Message from the Rector

27th April 2004

Dear Friend

St. George’s Cathedral, Georgetown, Guyana –
Organ Restoration Appeal

Our three-manual Pipe Organ, the only one of its kind in the country, was rebuilt by J.W. Walker and Sons Limited, Organ Builders of Brandon, Suffolk, United Kingdom, in 1978. Since then the Firm has sent one, or sometimes two technicians to service and tune the organ on an annual basis

The last time a representative of Walker’s visited Guyana to tune and report on the Organ, was in 1997, and following that visit an estimate for repairs was submitted by Walker’s for the sum of 97,371. However, from 1999 we have been unable to establish contact with Walker’s despite our best efforts. We were therefore constrained to seek alternative assistance in getting the organ repaired and tuned but, in the intervening years, fluctuations in the power supply and the rapid deterioration of some of the original material used in 1978 caused the instrument to virtually grind to a halt earlier this year.

We have recently been able to establish contact with Mr. David Burke, a competent and experienced UK-trained organ builder from Barbados. He has already inspected our organ and given us an estimate in the sum of US$58,000.00 to repair and restore it “to perfect playing condition.”

It is proposed that the work would be undertaken in phases and in fact, with available funds which had been set aside in the past few years in an “ Organ Fund”, we have made a start and Mr. Burke has completed rebuilding the entire bellows which was the first priority.

Our organ is once again working but we need to have the remaining work continued and completed as early as possible and in order to ensure that, that is done, we have decided to launch this National and International appeal for financial assistance. Owing to the rapid devaluation of the Guyana dollar against the US dollar and the Pound Sterling – the current rates being $200.00 to one US dollar and $354.00 to one Pound Sterling – we are faced with a repair bill of approximately G$12,000,000.00.

Any help that can be given will be greatly appreciated and promptly acknowledged. We know that those of our friends and former members who know our instrument would wish to help us have it completely restored and maintained as part of our National Heritage.

We therefore pray that you would give our appeal your most careful and favourable consideration and we look forward to hearing from you. Cheques can be made payable to St. George’s Finance Committee at New Building Society Limited Acct., No. 1872.

Yours sincerely in Christ,

The Rev. Terry N. Davis
Rector