An appeal for help to restore St German’s Cathedral’s 133-year old organ has been launched.

The instrument was built by Sheffield organ builders Brindley and Foster in 1884 and at that time was the largest of its kind in the island.

Organist and director of music Dr Peter Litman said: ’Many of the mechanisms installed by Brindley and Foster are beginning to fail.

’Much of the organ has lasted well and will continue to hold good for the foreseeable future.

’There is a critical area, however - something the organists realise is a problem, but perhaps not the congregation in the pews.

’The complex mechanism behind the stops, which connect the specific pipes to the keys, is failing terribly.

’There are many stops which are not connecting to the pipes at all and consequently the stops do not work.

’There are also several stops which come on in a halfway position which makes the instrument sound rather out of tune, and consequently those stops cannot be used.’

Dr Litman said that this has been happening for some time and that island organ tuner Peter Jones has been ’masterfully patching up the problems’.

’We are now putting patches on patches,’ said Dr Litman, who added: ’Mr Jones can replace the mechanisms to enable the stops to work as they should. But the work will cost £5,750.

’The total collected so far is £1,950 so we still need £3,800 to enable this emergency work to happen. We would like to express our thanks to Peel Heritage Trust, Shoprite, Busy Bears Nursery, Black Grace Cowley, David Lancaster Limited, Paradise and Gell, Nigel Harrison and Betty Deans.

’I have applied to the Isle of Man Arts Council, Culture Vannin and Peel Heritage Trust for funds as well as to the local business community. Anything anyone can give will help us reach this target.

’I am looking for initiatives too - if anyone wishes to help us hold a coffee and music morning and provide cakes in aid of the organ funds for example.

’If we don’t address these mechanisms, eventually, within the year, the whole organ will stop working.

’We do have a digital organ, and if nothing happens, we will have no choice other than to put that back into action.

’This will not only have a dramatic effect on cathedral music, but will be a huge hurdle in attracting organ scholars for the future.’

For more details or a demonstration of what is no longer working, email Dr Litman at [email protected] or speak to him after a service.