A very rare church organ, built in Hull in 1881, has returned home to All Saints’, Roos. All Saints' is opening its doors every weekday between 10am and 4pm during the restoration for members of the public to watch what is going on, share refreshments and be part of history!

Built by Karl Christian Reiter, it is one of only two to have survived in an original state. The organ and its 600 pipes have been silent and derelict for over 30 years. But a £73,000 restoration of this unique instrument and its organ chamber is nearing completion. The organ has been with Harrogate organ builders Peter Wood and Son since July 2015, but is now being reassembled piece by piece in All Saints’.

“I’ve lived here for 13 years,” said Project Manager Helen Audley, “and I’ve never heard the organ play. Children from the school have been involved with the project throughout. They saw the organ taken down and are now playing a very active part in preparations for its return”.

Pupils from the Roos Primary School will visit the church on Thursday morning, bringing items they have made for a time capsule. These will be placed in the organ chamber for future generations to find when the organ is next overhauled in the 22nd century.

The Bishop of Hull, the Rt. Revd. Alison White, will conduct a service of celebration, re-dedication and blessing at 3.30pm on 1 May, at which all are welcome. Mark Keith the organist from Holy Trinity Hull will be playing the organ for this service, which will be the first time the organ has been played since the 1980s. For more information, photos and updates about the restoration, visit All Saints' Facebook page here.