See (rather hazy) picture.
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Interesting puzzle.
Haven't a clue.
Can of sardines with a music stand - Kirkwall! :-) -
It looks just like a Choir Organ, with an elegant case, in the 'ruckpositiv' position. You'd expect to see the big main case with the Great display pipes on the balcony behind it. But there isn't one and never has been. The hint I'll give (for anyone who's interested) is that it's not just for show. It has proper pipes and winding (i.e. not a disguised electronic.)Comment
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I think we need another clue.....Comment
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Here's the answer. I'm not sure I would have guessed it. It is a proper pipe-organ built by Gray and Davidson in the mid-19th century. But it never had a keyboard and was operated by a barrel-organ mechanism which could play over 20 hymn tunes and a few psalm chants. (How do you fit the words of a Psalm into someone turning a handle?) These were occasionally installed in very rural areas where no organists could be found. This one has very fine casework, which I guess is a bit unusual.
This one, apparently restored to working order, is in Muchelney Church, Somereset: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church...aul,_Muchelney
The site is fascinating because the church is situated next to the ruins of Muchelney Abbey. It's now run by English Heritage. It is well worth a visit, because the ground plan of the Abbey (victim of Henry VIII) is still clear, and one original building, the monks' lavatorium still exists!
About Muchelney Abbey (it's right out in the Styx) https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/...chelney-abbey/Comment
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Good subject for a thread; I'm surprised no one else has taken it up. Any cameras out there?Originally posted by ardcarp View PostComment
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Likely to be a bit damp in the Styx...
...drier in the sticks, perhaps
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Pretty damp at Muchelney in the middle of the Somerset Levels. It was an island in the Roman and post-Roman era, and became so again in recent times as a result of flooding.Originally posted by Old Grumpy View Post
"The barrel organ above the vestry door on the south side is a working organ. It was used in the church until 1872. The organ is tuned and in full working order and is played on August Bank Holiday Monday when the church Fete is held in a garden opposite the church! In the floods of 2014, when the village became an island, the church acted as post office, doctors surgery, shop, and R&R for the fire crew operating the ferry boat, as well as hosting ‘flood lunches’ and of, course, our regular services, the Vicar arriving by boat!"
It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.Comment
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Yes, I've been fooled by that too. I always used to assume it was a reference to the river of Hades and I still think that has more logic than 'sticks'. Nevertheless, OED only recognises the latter, which is apparently of US origin, and cites no example earlier than 1899. All the more reason for promoting 'Styx', methinks.Originally posted by Old Grumpy View PostLikely to be a bit damp in the Styx...
...drier in the sticks, perhapsComment
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If you saw the Somerset levels flooded a few years ago the word Styx would not have sprung to mind....i.e. impossible to cross, Charon or not.Comment
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Interesting!
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