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Kilkhampton Church Organ
The nucleus of this instrument is reputed to have come from the Schrider organ used in Westminster Abbey from 1730 - 1848. It is probable that many of the pipes are the work of the famous 'Father' Smith. The organ was given to this church in 1859 by the Squire and Patron of Kilkhampton Lord John Thynne, sub dean of Westminster Abbey, The original organ keyboard had Black Naturals and White Sharps and was positioned so that the organist had his back to the Congregation. During it's life the Organ has had many alterations before it was re-built in 1958 by the late Roger Yates of Michaelstow Bodmin,
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| Memories of the organ from Ray Shaddick... In a comprehensive report in the Magazine The Organ, 1962 by W.L.Sumner states The reconstruction of the Organ is the work of Mr Roger Yates of Michaelstowe , Bodmin. Mr Yates is an artist-craftsman and all the work done with his own hands. a New mixture stop was added and enhanced the sound. Another stop the bombarde was added following an unusual occurrence when a Lady visited the Church when the Rector The Rev Ronald Watts was playing the organ. She told him that she had offered to pay for any stop that was needed in the Parish Church at Tavistock,but was told they did not need another stop whereupon she said Have you got need for another stop in Kilkhampton.? Ron said I would like a bombarde stop to complete the sound of this Organ. The Lady gave £500 for the stop to be installed. According to W.L.Sumner who states After the organ was rebuilt The Vicar Rev Ronald Watts patiently took up organ playing, and in less than three years was giving remarkable performances such as Bach "great G Minor" and passacaglia and fugue, and the Dupre variations. Ron was a very talented and gifted Musician. During the rebuilding of the Organ I played an American Organ placed by the chancel gates, and was one of the last organists to play the original Organ with black naturals and white sharps The old console has been preserved for "show" purposes in it's original position. The Organ Blower was encased with an air slot behind the Organ in the outer vestry. The Patronal Festival of St James the Greater was the highlight of Kilkhampton Church and indeed the village, when visiting clergy from the area would attend the service. A Choirboy(usually me) would make conversation with a visiting Vicar and I would gently edge him back towards the organ blower, when his surplice would be "sucked" i nto the Blower, thus stopping the Organ completely It was then the Lady Organist would become very flustered, telling the Rector that the Organ had broken down, what was she to do?
It was only then it was realised that the visiting Clergynan's surplice was sucked into the organ blower, much to the relief of everyone. |
From Ian Watts, Ron Watts Nephew... Ron Watts had learnt the organ many years previously in his home village of Ynyshir, Rhondda, S. Wales, he was already an accomplished player when he became the Rector of Kilkhampton; (in fact according to my cousin - Ron once showed an article to him labelling him as the 2nd best organist in the country - probably Wales at the time - Ron apparently found that very amusing). My father always told me he was an amazing player especially loving the organ works of J.S.Bach. I'm not sure of the validity of this but my dad certainly told me that Ron had also added the 'mixture' stop on the organ which brought the organ up to a typical Baroque stop list - the period in which the organ was built. I assume the 16' Bombarde came later. |
 Front View |
 Side View |
 Original Keyboard now just for display in its original position |
 Michael Richardson, Organist and Choirmaster |
