Nicholson & Co Ltd

Malvern Priory organ case

Nicholson & Co (Worcester) Ltd is a company that manufactures pipe organs, founded in 1841 by John Nicholson. Its work today encompasses the creation of new instruments as well as historical restorations, rebuilds and renovations throughout the UK and abroad. In 2013 the firm completed the first wholly new instrument in a British cathedral since 1962, at Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff.

History

New Nicholson factory in Malvern;

The Nicholsons were a family of organ builders originating from Rochdale, Lancashire in the North of England. John Nicholson moved to Worcester in 1840 and in 1845 he moved his workshop to Palace Yard, close to the Cathedral.[1] John Nicholson's work included organs in Malvern Priory and Worcester Shire Hall.

In 1956 the company relocated to its Quest Hills Road factory in Malvern, which started life as a vet's practice in the late 19th century when horses were the principal source of motive power. Mechanisation led to its use as a coal depot in the 1930s, supplied by the Great Western Railway sidings across the road, and then, as coal in turn gave way to alternative forms of fuel, the buildings were acquired by Nicholson. Many famous organs passed through its diminutive doors until a further move to larger, more modern premises in 2003. The site has since been converted to residential mews.

Nicholson & Co is now based at Lower Interfields near Malvern, Worcestershire, in a rural location at the foot of the Malvern Hills. The 1,250 square metres (13,500 sq ft) floor area is three times that of old Quest Hills Road factory, and the building shop measures 10m x 10m with generous headroom, enabling large organs to be fully assembled. Most components are still produced in-house, and Nicholson is one of the only British firms to retain its own metal shop for the manufacture and restoration of pipes.

Some examples of Nicholson organs

Organ of Christchurch Priory;

References

  1. ↑ Nicholson Organs

External links

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