H/T to John H. from the PIPORG-L listserv.The thieves are getting desperate. They stole lead from the roof of St. Michael and All Angels C of E Church in Wolverhampton, UK. This caused rainwater to go down into the pipes and the leatherwork of the organ, rendering it virtually unplayable.
Why steal the lead one may ask? With the prices increasing on scrap metal, it's no surprise that thieves would be cashing in on their thefts. It's kind of like the thieves capitalising on the theft of used vegetable oil in these days of soaring gas prices ...
Back to this story: the sad thing is that they just spent £10K in routine maintenance, and all for naught. Repairs to the roof are estimated to cost £80K, and damage to the organ was estimated at £30K.
The story did not specify what kind of organ it was, or its specs. It only made reference to the landmark organ, and the fact that it is no longer available for weddings and services.
More information can be obtained here.
(Photo credit: Express & Star. I am assuming that is the Rev'd Margaret Mattocks next to the damaged organ.)
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