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The principal speaker sets for the digital instrument will be in the north and south transepts. In order (a) to cater for the rather difficult acoustics of the Cathedral and (b) to minimise their visibility they will be placed high up on the west side of each transept, facing east, at the base of the roof and above the wall plate (Figs 4 and 5), set back as far as possible between the rafters. There will be eight speakers in each transept, placed towards the nave as far as possible and so partly out of sight behind the transept arch. They will be dark in colour, as are the rafters and the wall plate. The speaker design and dimensions are given in Figure 3.
As far as can be ascertained, the gap between the rafters is approx 315 mm. The speakers are trapezoidal in shape (see Fig 3), so the rear will fit between the rafters.
In this position, these speakers will not be visible from the nave seating, and even though they will be partially visible from other locations they will not be noticeable nor obtrusive.
The organ will have a supplementary west end division for assisting the singing of the congregation and for accompanying the choir when singing at the west end. Again this is necessitated by the peculiar acoustics of the Cathedral. There will be a total of four speakers at the west end (of the same type as those in the transepts), and to achieve the required results and at the same time minimise visibility they will be placed, two on each side of the nave, high up behind the most westerly pair of arched roof braces above the wall plate and facing west (see Figures 6 and 7). They will be dark in colour and against a poorly illuminated dark background, and so not noticeable. Located in this manner, these speakers will be out of sight from all parts of the Cathedral unless looking directly up in the most westerly bay of the nave (Figure 7). It should be noted that this location is further west than the most westerly pews.
Two larger speakers are required to handle the extreme bass of the organ, and for technical reasons these need to be located at ground level. They will be freestanding (i.e. not an installation), and placed one in each transept out of sight behind the existing waist-high panelling. In the south transept this panelling is set in front of the organ pipe display, and in the north transept in front of the equivalent blind arch (see Figures 8 and 9). Figure 11 shows the type and dimensions of these speakers. They will be operated lying on their backs in order to project the sound upwards, and in view of their proportions this will assist in their being out of sight behind the panelling.
The appearance of the console of the digital organ will be as Figure 2, which shows a virtually identical instrument installed in Llandaff Cathedral. There is a tambour fall to conceal the keys and draw-stops when not in use. The console woodwork is by Renatus Ltd of Bideford, and so is of highest quality. The console will not be a fixed installation, but will be moveable to give maximum flexibility of use, including the ability to place it on the dais for recitals. For regular services it will be located as shown on the schematic, at the east end of the south aisle. In this position the organist will be able to hear all parts of the instrument, the choir and the congregation in balance while maintaining close contact with action on the dais. This position (Figure 10) will involve removing the two most easterly pews in the south aisle, but the pew frontal at the end of the aisle would remain in place.
The console contains all the working components of the organ, other than the speaker systems described above.
Recent experience with the acclaimed Anne Frank exhibition showed the value of being able to remove (on a temporary basis) some pews in the north and south aisles in order to create space for the showing of items and artwork. This can be seen in Figure 10. Removal of these pews was complicated by their being single-ended, with the outer ends supported by the waist-high wall panelling that runs along the north and south walls. We wish to create flexibility for future special events by converting all these aisle pews to free-standing double-ended pews that can simply be lifted out into storage when necessary for limited periods. There are sufficient pew ends of the opposite hand available from the pews permanently removed recently from the transepts (under authority of Registered Building Approval) to enable this conversion to be done with authentic 1880s materials. Illustrations as to how the pews look at present (Figure 10 and 14) and of the ends (Figure 12) are indicated, as are the way the pews will look when double ended (Figure 13).
The 1884 pipe organ will remain in situ, and will be used for certain services (principally those held in the Chancel) for which it is suitable. It has two pipe fronts, one inset behind the south chancel arch and one behind an arch in the east wall of the south transept (seen in Figure 9). These fronts will not be altered or obscured by the installation of the Nave Organ.
Modifications are required to be made to the clergy vestry to meet the needs of a working environment in terms of heat, light and comfort. It is proposed to add secondary glazing on the inside to the windows (Figure 16). New under-felt and carpet in a neutral light colour - beige - will replace the existing worn out red carpet (Figure 20). The internal porch, which has been added subsequently, will be removed in order to improve the space available for office equipment and better insulation will be provided on the inside of the exterior vestry door with the gaps around it sealed (Figure 17). The ceilings (Figure 18) will be covered in insulation board, which will be painted white. The wall cupboard, which at present is a series of add-ons (Figure 19) on the left hand side will be matched with the right hand door and become flush with the wall. A door-closer will be added to the internal door, to prevent it being left open by visitors to the vestry office. The fluorescent light strip (Figure 18 and 20) will be replaced with a 'daylight' light fitting. The walls will be painted white.
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