In 2024, the organ at St. John's developed a major fault, effectively putting one of the keyboards out of action. 

Having sought advice and explored various ways forward, the PCC agreed to carrying out refurbishment work and an appeal, jointly run with Boldre Church Trust, was launched in December 2024. The response to the appeal was truly phenomenal, and very humbling.

After much time spent in discussion, deliberation and negotiation, we are now very pleased to report that the organ has returned to St. John's following it's organ "transplant", having received the best of attention in skilled cratfsmanship and upgrading of technology which has given it a new lease of life.

We are immensely grateful to the team at Romsey Organ Works, and Renatus in Devon who, between them, have carefully taken great care in restoring the woodwork and associated elements of the organ console, along with applying the latest technologies to have enabled the organ to be renewed rather than destroyed in this era of making good use of available resources.

Thanks are due to all who responded so magnificently to the call to raise the funds to facilitate this work – a very sincere and appreciative “thank you” to you all; along with this have been the efforts of the members of Boldre PCC and Boldre Church Trust who have been so supportive of this project. You have all given so much.

Timothy Rice
June 2026