The Organs and List of Organists

The Organs

The Abbey has two James Davis organs.

The main organ was built in 1793 by James Davis and supplied by Longman and Broderip of London. It was dismantled, stored and moved in the great Abbey restoration of 1903-5. In 1954 it was restored and rebuilt with some extra pipes, a new organ console and electric blowing. The original console is on view in a glass case under the West Tower. Further changes were made in 1973 when the organ was cleaned. The instrument could claim to be one of the most versatile for its size, whilst retaining its essentially eighteenth-century character and original case.

The chamber organ is again by James Davis, though not built for the Abbey, and dates from 1810. It may have been bought for a private residence, either directly from James Davis or through a supplier such as Longman & Broderip. It was removed from Battle Church by the organ building firm of Hill, Norman and Beard and eventually placed in the north aisle or Lady Chapel of Wymondham Abbey in 1977. The accompanying restoration, carried out under the expert supervision of Mr Michael Buttolph, then of Hill, Norman & Beard, returned the instrument to a single-manual organ.

Organists of Wymondham Abbey

From 1973, the installation of the James Davis organ

Directors of Music

Director of Music and Organist