The instrument was converted to electric action (probably from tubular-pneumatic) back in 1972. Consequently the instrument has given good and reliable service for over thirty-two years, a period of time which has also included a major move, with dismantling and reconstruction.
The instrument itself was built by the small but very distinguished Manchester firm of George Benson. The original date of building is estimated to be in the late 1890s.
All Benson’s work is of uniformly high standard and this instrument is one of the very few examples of Benson’s building in South Wales. Of equally high standard, though much smaller, is his little two-manual and pedal instrument which has ended up in the church of the Holy Rood (Scottish Episcopal Church) far up in Thurso. But the quality of the instrument at S. Stephen’s is very good indeed. Although the pipework is on the leady side – typical of its period – it is splendidly voiced. Not only do the individual stops sound well, but the plenum is particularly satisfying.
