The Grand Organ Appeal at Wells Cathedral has reached a significant milestone, with more than £1 million raised in donations and pledges towards its £2 million target.

The ambitious project, led by the Friends of Wells Cathedral, aims to refurbish and renovate the cathedral's iconic Grand Organ, which will be dismantled, rebuilt, and enhanced. The current organ, originally refurbished in 1974, is in urgent need of restoration due to its rapidly deteriorating condition.

The appeal hit the £1 million mark just before Christmas 2024, thanks to the generosity of supporters in Wells, the South West, and across the UK. The Dean of Wells Cathedral, Toby Wright, described the milestone as a "landmark moment" for the project. He said: "The Cathedral organ is in a rapidly deteriorating state, and it is becoming increasingly urgent that we restore this once magnificent instrument to its full glory. Until now, our wonderful organists have masked the decline of the organ's performance, concealing its flaws from the ears of the thousands of people who come each year to attend Cathedral services, recitals, and concerts."

With the halfway point reached, the appeal committee is now focusing its efforts on raising the remaining £1 million to bring the project to completion. Appeal committee chairman, David Morgan Hewitt, provided an update on the plans, saying: "Progress being made on the fundraising side of the appeal has allowed us to begin more detailed planning, and we now have a proposed timetable of works for the organ's refurbishment."

Under the proposed timeline, the organ pipes are expected to be removed in early 2026 and sent away for repair and refurbishment. New pipes will also be crafted for the 32-foot stops and new trumpets. The organ is anticipated to be reinstalled by late 2027 or early 2028. During this period, a temporary instrument will be used for services and events. Hewitt added: "The process of refurbishing the organ is a very complex, specialised, and labour-intensive challenge, but the end result will be worth the wait, creating a revitalised instrument ready to serve for the next 50 years or more."

The restoration project will ensure Wells Cathedral can maintain its renowned musical standards, providing a fully refurbished organ that will continue to play a central role in cathedral life. The Friends of Wells Cathedral, which was founded in 1933, has been instrumental in funding major projects at the cathedral, including the 1974 refurbishment of the Grand Organ and the £1.83 million Friends Building completed 13 years ago.

With the support of donors from Somerset and beyond, the committee is confident they can meet their £2 million target. Anyone wishing to contribute to the Grand Organ Appeal can contact the Friends of Wells Cathedral at [email protected] for more information.