'Meet and Play the Moot Hall Organ' at Colchester Town Hall
Town Hall, High Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1PJ
The Moot Hall Organ was built by the Norwich firm of Norman & Beard during the period when they were a leading supplier of instruments to customers in this country and abroad. The plans for the Moot Hall organ were drawn up in 1901, and the contract was signed on 21st April 1902 with delivery promised by 24th May the same year. The cost was just over £1,000 and was met by Colchester's MP Sir Weetman Pearson, later Viscount Cowdray. The oak case was constructed by Kerridge & Shaw of Cambridge, and the carved work was executed by Fabrucci & McCrossan.
During the Second World War, regular concerts were given for servicemen and women when the Moot Hall was used as a forces’ canteen. These concerts continued on a monthly basis for over forty years from 1950. In recent years the organ fell into disrepair and was fully restored in 2014-15 using funds awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. This will be one of the first occasions to hear the organ being played following the reopening of the Moot Hall after essential repairs to its ceiling.
2025 is 'Play the Organ Year' organised by the Royal College of Organists.
Timings & Tours
- Saturday 20 September:
- 1200-1500
Location & directions
Town Hall, High Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1PJ
- Contact on day:
- Hall Keeper
- Telephone number:
- +441206506905
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
The Moot Hall is on the second floor of the building, accessed via the main staircase or a lift.
Additional information
This event follows two guided tours of Colchester Town Hall at 1000 and 1100 (see separate entry). Other buildings open nearby for Heritage Open Days on the same day are the Roman Theatre, the Quaker Meeting House, St Helen's Chapel, St Martin's Church and 7 Queen Street (The Brewhouse).
