West London school hopes to raise £257k to restore rare Loret pipe organ

Sacred Heart High School in Hammersmith is seeking £257,000 to repair a pipe organ made by Belgian craftsman Hippolyte Loret that experts say may be the only Loret instrument in the UK and one of the rarest in Europe.

A West London school is fundraising to repair and restore a historic pipe organ. Sacred Heart High School in Hammersmith has set a target of £257,000 for the work. The instrument is attributed to Belgian maker Hippolyte Loret and was moved from France to London in 1904. The school uncovered the organ's story after an expert inspection that identified French nomenclature on the stops. Key details: - The school has launched a fundraising campaign with a target of £257,000 to fund significant restoration work. - Dr William McVicker, curator of organs at the Royal Festival Hall, inspected the instrument in May 2024 and noted features that led to the Loret attribution. - The organ was dismantled in France in 1904 and covertly shipped to London under efforts led by Mother Mabel Digby of the Society of the Sacred Heart. - Restoration will be undertaken by Mander Organ Builders and will require the organ to be dismantled, removed and reinstalled in the chapel. - If fundraising and restoration proceed, the school plans to use the instrument for public recitals and to give students the opportunity to learn to play it. - The organ's story is being developed into a radio programme and podcast by a radio production company. Summary: The school’s fundraising outcome will determine whether Mander Organ Builders can carry out the planned dismantling, restoration and reinstallation of the Loret organ. If restored to full playing condition, the instrument is expected to be used for recitals and student learning. A radio programme and podcast about the organ’s history are also in development.