A LIFETIME OF ORGANS
(SPECIFICATIONS AND DIARIES)
The archives of Cedric William Laycock (1919–2002)
Organ Builder, CrossHills, Yorkshire
Foreword:
These CDs are dedicated to the memory of Cedric William Laycock and his wife Dorothy (nee Whitehead).
Cedric William Laycock (CWL) represents the last of the line of the Laycock organ building tradition. He was born in 1919 in Cross Hills near Keighley Yorkshire only 400 metres from the family Organ works.
A quiet, modest, unassuming person, he was devoted to two things, the family first and organs second. Throughout his life, he took great, private pride in his work and the magnificent instruments he helped build and maintain.
These two CDs represent the legacy he has left us on his death in 2002. Unbeknown to all, throughout his life he found time to collect photographs, cuttings and specifications of organs, particularly those in the North of England on which he practiced his skills.
The CDs have been created privately for limited distribution to fellow organ enthusiasts. They have been created for educational purposes i.e.‘not for profit’. Any donations received will be presented to the charities supported by Cedric and Dorothy Laycock.
Due to the age and doubtful origin of much of the source material it has not always been possible to contact the originators and owners of copyright. In the absence of permission, we request their forgiveness and hope they will agree that the distribution of valuable knowledge, without financial gain, is a worthy endeavour.
Contents Overview:
CDs 1 and 2 contain multiple folders, each containing multiple JPEG images scanned at reasonably high resolution (typically 300dpi). The material takes two forms. There are folders which represent complete notebooks etc. from CWL’s collection. Secondly, as several of the documents were written in pencil, computer enhanced copies of the documents have been created, to improve legibility.
Unfortunately, CWL did not date many of his entries. By providing the original source material in its original sequence, it is hoped that there will be sufficient information to permit the serious researcher to deduce the order in which modifications to organ specifications etc. were made.
CD 3 contains a single folder which represents the collation, in alphabetical order, of the photographs and specifications set out in several of the documents on CDs 1 and 2, plus various information about John Laycock and Laycock and Bannister.
List of Contents:
CD 1:
1 Brindley & Foster Catalogue
A history of Brindley & Foster Organ Builders of Sheffield 1854-1939 by J R Knott. Contains many organ specifications.
2 General organ specs CWL Book1
First of three files containing magazine photographs, printed and hand-written specifications of various organs – mainly UK. Collection starts around 1934.
3 General organ specs CWL Book2
Second of three files containing magazine photographs, printed and hand-written specifications of various organs – mainly UK. Collection starts around 1934.
4 General organ specs CWL Book3
Third of three files containing magazine photographs, printed and hand-written specifications of various organs – mainly UK. Collection starts around 1934.
5 General organ specs various booklets & papers
Individual photographs and leaflets for various organs.
6 John Laycock organ photos
Colour photographs of John Laycock organs – provided by Kenneth Jackson of Skipton, Yorkshire. Taken around 2000.
7 L&B Organ & Blower catalogue
An undated printed catalogue produced by Laycock and Bannister with photographs of L&B organs and a list of instruments fitted with the Layban organ blower.
8 L&B Organ & Blower catalogue enhanced images
A computer enhanced version of 7 (above) - An undated printed catalogue produced by Laycock and Bannister with photographs of L&B organs and a list of instruments fitted with the Layban organ blower.
9 L&B Organ Blower service records
The service record book from Laycock & Bannister of organ blowers from 1930 to 1973. Contains details of location, size of organ, wind pressure, trunk size, fan specification and motor properties.
10 L&B Organ Catalogue No 1
An undated printed catalogue produced by Laycock and Bannister with photographs of L&B organs and accompanying specifications. A list of organs built and rebuilt and customer testimonials are provided.
11 L&B Organ Catalogue No 1 enhanced images
A computer enhanced version of 10 (above) - An undated printed catalogue produced by Laycock and Bannister with photographs of L&B organs and accompanying specifications. A list of organs built and rebuilt and customer testimonials are provided.
12 L&B Organ Catalogue No 2
An undated printed catalogue produced by Laycock and Bannister with photographs of L&B organs. A list of organs built and rebuilt and customer testimonials are provided. (Similar to 10 (above) but with more photographs and no specifications).
13 L&B Organ Catalogue No 2 enhanced images
A computer enhanced version of 12 (above) - An undated printed catalogue produced by Laycock and Bannister with photographs of L&B organs. A list of organs built and rebuilt and customer testimonials are provided. (Similar to 10 (above) but with more photographs and no specifications).
14 L&B Organ Catalogues No 1 & No 2 Alphabetical
The photographs from documents 10 and 12 (above) arranged in alphabetical order.
CD 2:
15 Laycock Cedric day book 1929 to 1967
A ledger collating the diaries of CWL. The ledger records, on a daily basis from 1929 to 1967, the churches visited for organ repair and maintenance activities. Periods for new construction in the organ works are also recorded. The early entries are from the diaries of John Herbert Laycock (CWL’s father).
16 Laycock Cedric diary entries Book 1
Some of the source material for document 15 (above). Contains additional material not copied to the ledger of document 15.
17 Laycock Cedric diary entries Book 2
Some of the source material for document 15 (above). Contains additional material not copied to the ledger of document 15.
18 Laycock Cedric diary entries Book 3 1938-47
Some of the source material for document 15 (above). Contains additional material not copied to the ledger of document 15.
19 Laycock Cedric Northern church organs A to Z Book 1
One of four. Alphabetical listing of Northern Organs with an indication of the builder and other details. (JWB is for Jonnie Bannister, L&B is for Laycock & Bannister- later Frank Bannister).
20 Laycock Cedric Northern church organs A to Z Book 2
Two of four. Alphabetical listing of Northern Organs with an indication of the builder and other details.
21 Laycock Cedric Northern church organs A to Z Book 3
Three of four. Alphabetical listing of Northern Organs with an indication of the builder and other details.
22 Laycock Cedric Northern church organs A to Z Various papers
Four of four. A collection of photographs, cuttings, dedication programmes etc. for various Northern Organs.
23 Laycock Cedric organ construction notebook
A pocketbook with drawings and measurements for various aspects of organ construction. Contains entries from John Herbert Laycock (CWL’s father).
24 Laycock Cedric organ construction notebook enhanced
A computer enhanced version of document 23 (above) - A pocketbook with drawings and measurements for various aspects of organ construction. Contains entries from John Herbert Laycock (CWL’s father).
25 Laycock Cedric sketches & cuttings
Sundry drawings and cuttings from various sources.
26 Organ Specification CWL Index 1
One of two. An index related to documents 2, 3 and 4 (above).
27 Organ Specification CWL Index 2
Two of two. An index related to documents 2, 3 and 4 (above).
28 Organ Specification CWL photos assorted
Various assorted photographs of organs.
29 Organ Specification document CWL 1934 part 1
One of four. Handwritten organ specifications for organs serviced by CWL.
30 Organ Specification document CWL 1934 part 1 Enhanced
A computer enhanced version of document 29 (above) – One of four. Handwritten organ specifications for organs serviced by CWL.
31 Organ Specification document CWL 1934 part 2
Two of four. Handwritten organ specifications for organs serviced by CWL.
32 Organ Specification document CWL 1934 part 2 Enhanced
A computer enhanced version of document 31 (above) – Two of four. Handwritten organ specifications for organs serviced by CWL.
33 Organ Specification document CWL Book 2
Three of four. Handwritten organ specifications for organs serviced by CWL.
34 Organ Specification document CWL Book 2 Enhanced & crop
A computer enhanced version of document 33 (above) – Three of four. Handwritten organ specifications for organs serviced by CWL.
35 Organ Specification document CWL Papers 3
Four of four. Handwritten organ specifications for organs serviced by CWL.
36 Organ Specification document CWL Papers 3 Enhanced & crop
A computer enhanced version of document 35 (above) – Four of four. Handwritten organ specifications for organs serviced by CWL.
CD 3:
37 Overview John Laycock West Closes
Photographs, biography, will, stationery etc of John Laycock the founder of the Organ company.
38 Overview of Laycock & Bannister
Photographs and documents relating to the Organ company.
39 Organ Specifications CWL Combined Records
An alphabetical collation of organ photographs and specifications taken from the source documents on CD1. The material is taken from documents: 2,3,4,5,6,7,10,12,29,31,33,35. Some duplicate entries occur due to specification changes or multiple records from CWL on different dates.
Dr John Laycock
(Son of Cedric William Laycock)
6 Windsor Close, Alton, Hants.UK GU34 1QU
October 2002
Copyright Ó SaVant Communications 2002