A PROJECT to raise £50,000 to restore a church organ has received a massive boost.
The Heritage Lottery Fund has pledged £31,500 to the campaign to rebuild parts of the pipe organ at the Church of St Peter and St Paul in Upton upon Severn.
The instrument was originally built in the 1850s by John Nicholson of Malvern and has been in constant use ever since. Music is very much at the heart of the community in Upton and the church hosts numerous events and concerts throughout the year.
But the organ has not had any substantial work done to it since 1950 and is now in need of full restoration.
The project has already seen more than £12,000 donated through independent fund-raising and the grant from the HLF is set to put the campaign on the home straight.
The restorative work is set to take place in January and a number of events are planned around it including history workshops for Upton Primary School pupils, chances for youngsters to learn to play the organ and a celebration concert in May.
John Holloway, musical director and organist at the church, said: “We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and are confident the project will support young people and the community as a whole to be active citizens with pride in their Victorian heritage.”
Reyahn King, head of Heritage Lottery Fund West Midlands, added: “Historic pieces of worship are so often at the heart of communities.
“We are pleased to be able to support the restoration of the St Peter and St Paul organ so the church can continue to promote its musical heritage and encourage more people, especially the young, to get involved.”
