Conacher and Co.
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Conacher and Co was a firm of British organ builders based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England.[1]
History[]
The firm originated with Peter Conacher (1823–1894), who was born in Scotland and who studied as an apprentice organ builder in Leipzig, Germany. After returning to England, he worked for Hill & Sons based in Lincolnshire, and then for Walker & Sons in London.
Conacher started his own company in 1854, initially with Richard Brown, then from 1859 with Joseph Hebblethwaite. They built a factory in George Street, Huddersfield.[2] On the death of Hebblethwaite, Peter was joined by his brother James (1820–1886). They built an organ for the Yorkshire Exhibition of 1866; the instrument was awarded a grand medal and was installed in St Peter's Church, Huddersfield.[3]
In 1873 the company moved to the Springwood Organ Works, Water Street, Huddersfield.[4] Peter's son, Joseph Hebblethwaite Conacher (1856–1913), joined the family firm in 1879 and succeeded his father in the business in 1898.
In 1986, the firm was acquired by John Sinclair Willis, formerly of Henry Willis & Sons and great-grandson of the notable English organ builder "Father" Henry Willis.
References[]
- ^ Organa Britannica. James Boeringer and Andrew Freeman. Bucknell University Press. 1989. Volume 1. p.78
- ^ "Conacher & Company: Our History". www.pcuk.net. Archived from the original on 16 April 2017.
- ^ "NPOR [E00496]". National Pipe Organ Register. British Institute of Organ Studies. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
- ^ "P Conacher & Co - Water Street (C) Betty Longbottom". Geograph. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
- British pipe organ builders
- Organ builders of the United Kingdom
- Companies established in 1854
- Musical instrument manufacturing companies of the United Kingdom
- Companies based in Huddersfield
- 1854 establishments in the United Kingdom