Work begins to refurbish historic organ at Thatcham United Reformed Church

Work started today (Monday) to remove the organ from the United Reformed Church in Thatcham.

The organ, built by Alfred Monk of London in 1905, has not functioned for at least 20 years.

And church staff have been trying to sell it for the past decade after the manufacturer told them it was beyond reasonable repair.

They previously gained interest from buyers in Spain and Poland, but none committed.

The inner mechanisms of the organ are being removed, but the frontage will remain and become a fixture on the back wall.

The project is expected to be completed by the summer.

The organ cost £150 and was opened by A H Drury, the organist at Shaw church, in 1905.

It succeeded a manual barrel and finger organ.