The final stages are under way of a major fundraising project to restore the mighty organ at Christ Church, Spitalfields, in east London. Built by the leading Georgian craftsman Richard Bridge, it's the largest of its kind to survive from Handel's era and its mahogany case, one of only eight made, is by far the biggest. The organ has been unplayable for some 50 years, but enough pipework exists for it to be restored to its original 1735 scheme by William Drake's team of experts.
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The Friends of Christ Church charity has already raised some £10 million to restore this great Hawksmoor church; it's now trying to raise the last £150,000 of the £1.2 million needed for the organ. To donate, telephone 020-7859 3035 or visit www.christchurchspitalfields.org.
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