BIOS Reporter – Volume 9, No.3 – July 1985

The arrival recently of the third annual issue of The Organbuilder prompted various reflections, and as (we think) this journal has never been noticed in these pages before, it will perhaps be appropriate to mention some of them. The Organbuilder is described as ‘a journal for the Organ building trade’. It has as its ‘patrons’ eleven British organ builders and is edited by John Norman. In some sense, it can be seen as a flag-ship for British organ building, making a modest contribution to the public’s awareness of the craft, and heightening the trade’s own self-awareness. As such, it immediately makes an excellent impression. The magazine is professionally produced (by John Brennan, of Positif Press) and the layout, presentation, and cover designs are consistently good; there is no bodging, or cutting of corners, or suggestion of cheapness. Anyone casually picking up a copy of The Organbuilder would conclude that the craft was in a flourishing state, with something to say for itself. This is surely all to the good…