21 April 2026
His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh, visited Durham to meet the specialist team restoring Wells Cathedral’s Grand Organ, as part of an ongoing, two-year project that will see the historic instrument receive a £3.2 million refurbishment.
In February, nearly 4,000 pipes were carefully removed from Wells Cathedral in Somerset and placed into 60 crates, which were then transported 300 miles to organ builders Harrison & Harrison. This specialist team, which has been maintaining the organ for over 120 years, will work on this significant instrument until late 2027, when it will make its grand, refurbished return to Wells Cathedral.
Following the organ’s removal, the Duke visited Durham to meet with the craftspeople directly involved in the ongoing project. He spent almost two hours with the team, learning about the intricate work involved in revitalising one of Wells Cathedral’s most significant historic attractions.
His Royal Highness also received a tour of Harrison & Harrison’s workshop, which included the viewing of a new organ in the building room. On his visit he was joined by The Lord Lieutenant and her team as well as the Mayor of Durham.
David Morgan-Hewitt, Lay Chapter Member of Wells Cathedral and Chair of the Friends Of Wells Cathedral Grand Organ Appeal, who also attended the visit, said:
“We were delighted to hear that HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, Royal Patron of The Friends Of Wells Cathedral Grand Organ Appeal, was able to schedule a visit to Harrison & Harrison Organ Builders. This is an incredibly important refurbishment that will provide essential longevity for such a vital and historic part of Wells Cathedral.”
Wells Cathedral decided to undertake the large project after a series of mechanical faults were found that put the future of the organ at risk. The organ was last rebuilt in the 1970s, but the foundations of the current Grand Organ were established in the 1850s, while records of an organ in Wells Cathedral date back as far as the early 14th century.
Fundraisers are keen to emphasise that more needs to be raised in order to complete the project and are inviting donations to the Friends of Wells Cathedral Grand Organ Appeal at wellsfriends.org/grand-organ-appeal.