Since February 2025 we have a number of meetings with the Churches Conservation Trust (the CCT) to discuss a number of issues which included those set out below.

The organ: the organ in St Peter’s is struggling at the moment with sets of pipes becoming inoperable due to long term damage, caused either through damp, temperature changes, sheer old-age or a combination of all three. Short term fixes are being made where possible but overall the organ needs substantial repair works to be undertaken and this is likely to cost a substantial six figure sum. This will though give us the option of installing an electric console to replace the current keyboards which would have a number of advantages including increasing the variety of sounds that the organ can produce and being able to move the keyboard out of its current almost invisible cubby hole so that the player can actually see the audience or even the other musicians the organist is mkaing musi with.

We are now starting to look at fundraising for the organ repairs and also getting CCT approval for the major works required by the organ. Neither of which are exactly small tasks!

The Humidifier: there has been no resolution on this issues. We were initially advised that a humidifier was necessary to protect the organ from drying out but to date (December 2025) readings of a hygrometer have shown that the humidity in the building is not so high or so low that it would cause damage to the organ. The CCT has not been convinced of the necessity of the humidifier and so currently we are not looking to install one.

The Ringing Chamber: Plan B is now that there may be a chance to ring all 10 bells from the mezzanine floor by judicious re-hanging of some of the bells. We look forward to more detail from the Suffolk Guild however this is taking more time to progress than we had hoped but we are still hopeful that it will happen.

Community Bookings: the difficulties encountered by some community hirers in booking St Peter’s were raised by the Friends with the CCT when the Bridge Project were in place. The CCT were not prepared to intervene at that stage. These difficulties still persist even where the CCT is running St Peter’s directly. It is clear that the CCT does not consider itself in a position to take any action on this point so for now this issue is not being pursued by the Friends. Obviously we are hopeful that if there are changes in the management approach once the funding from the Lottery Fund runs out (currently likely to be in October 2026) that substantial improvements in this area can be made. Overall though a disappointing situation given all the promises given for the renovation project.