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Topics will include the history of the book, early music, the history of Canterbury Cathedral Library and its collections.

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Tag: Organ

Rats in the organ

Rats in the organ at Canterbury Cathedral in 1674 

organ-blower
Hand-blown organ (YouTube)

In 1674, the Treasurer’s Book at Canterbury Cathedral records an ongoing problem in dealing with rats who were nesting in the organ bellows.

In the days before electric motors, the wind for a church organ had to be produced by human muscle in the form of a mechanical bellows made of wood and leather, a perfect home (and food) for a family of rats. Continue reading “Rats in the organ”

Author blogdjshawPosted on December 13, 2016March 5, 2017Tags Canterbury Cathedral, Financial records, Music, Organ, RatsLeave a comment on Rats in the organ

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