Are
the children in picture 1 holding a seance with the boy -
extreme right - standing by the fire-pump in case of unexpected
consequence?
Well,
no; they are playing a WOOFYT, or a Wooden
One-octave Organ
For Young
Technologists.
It
has been said that organ-playing is a lonely occupation - but not
so here! There are 19 players: one to each of the 13 pipes, two
to operate the double-acting bellows (the fire-pump boy) and four
to control wind pressure by bearing down on the wind reservoir.
[Click image to see larger version]
The
diagram in picture 2 shows the scheme, starting upper left
and working clockwise. The bellows fill the reservoir via two tubes
and the reservoir team, guided by the manometer or pressure gauge,
keeps the supply as steady as possible. This exercise in co-operation
and co-ordination is perhaps the most demanding aspect of performing
on WOOFYT.
Pressure,
nominally of about 2 ½ inches, steady or otherwise, is maintained
in the tube passing to the key boxes which are shown in the lower
row. There are thirteen of these, each with its corresponding pipe
mounted on it. Each key operates a simple valve which admits wind
to its pipe. All components - including the open wooden pipes -
may be taken apart and re-assembled for teaching purposes.
Apart
from length, the dimensions of all pipes are the same. This simplifies
construction: it also tends to cause the longer ones to jump readily
to the octave if they are at all overblown. This teaches a lesson
in acoustics and doubtless encourages the maintenance of a steady
wind.
Picture 2. [click image
to see larger version]
The
project started when Bill Cleghorn, a manufacturer of industrial
and marine pumps was looking for an original way of marking his
company's fiftieth year. An "educational pump" seemed
called for - and one that achieved some readily-discernible end.
A water pump of some kind offered opportunities, amongst them, however,
that of flooding an entire school - so air was decided upon instead.
To
an organ buff like Bill, whose firm sponsors the Oundle
Festival, there was only one end worth achieving - the production
of sound from organ pipes and the development of WOOFYT resulted.
On
one occasion, four WOOFYTS were played in chorus, requiring over 70
performers. To these were added another seventy performing on percussion,
recorders and "anything that came to hand". The result was
described as "if not entirely musical, certainly very sociable"!!!
As
can be seen from picture 3, children enjoy the experience.
It seems probable that some will want to learn more about the real
thing and find themselves bitten by the organ bug - that life-long
source of interest, joy and occasional exasperation. They will certainly
be ready for a video programme
on how the organ works.
Picture 3 [click
image to see larger version]
Bill
Cleghorn says "Our aim has not been commercial, though I would
not rule out a commercial development in other hands than ..ours"
A video/DVD about the project is in course of preparation.
Bill's
email address is: mail@cleghorn.co.uk and his postal address:
Cleghorn Waring Pumps Ltd, Icknield Way, Letchworth Garden City,
Herts SG6 1EZ. UK
Picture
credits:
All pictures thanks to Bill Cleghorn
