The Organ The original organ is now in residence in John Henry Newman’s church, The Oratory, on Hagley Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, where it has become the second instrument used for special occasions. The current organ is now situated at the rear of the church and frees the space next to the Choir to become an area used for several functions (and which includes a discrete kitchenette). It dates from 1869 and was made by Joseph W. Walker of London, a leading C19th. organ- builder for St. Mary’s Church, Wendover, Buckinghamshire. In 1982 it was bought by St. Hugh’s School, Farringdon, Oxfordshire, before being moved here in 1992, taking several months to be re-assembled. Apart from disconnecting the manual pumping levers and installing a discus blower to provide wind pressure, the organ remains un-modernised and so is of increasing historical interest, giving insight to the difficulties and challenges in mastering such a machine/instrument to make music. The world-renowned organist Thomas Trotter gave the inaugural recital in 1992. Specification The façade of pipes is thought notable, and the positioning of the consul to the side of the tracker-action instrument makes it a early-Victorian “Ladies Instrument” since the modesty of female players was maintained as they were ‘hidden’ from the congregation.