History
All Saints is a large Parish Church, set in the middle of an attractive and prosperous village in North East Hampshire. It is Grade I listed and in origin goes back to the 13th Century. It has been extensively re-built and expanded down the centuries, but still retains the charm and character of a mediaeval church, typical of the best traditions of English parish churches. It seats over 400 persons with a high roof space, so giving fine acoustics.

The Church has a strong musical tradition with a flourishing Choir of some thirty persons, and a professional Director of Music. In particular, the junior choir encourages young people to develop their musical talents in a wide variety of ways

The present organ was installed in 1878, when it was already second-hand, having been originally, it is believed, in St James’ Hall, London. It cost £400 to install, which was about the price of an average family house in Odiham at the time. It has had at least four major re-builds during the time it has been in All Saints, the last in 1993, when it cost £16,500 to re-furbish.

However, in the last ten years it has been deteriorating fast and is now judged by those who play it and those who examine it, to be beyond economic repair. As a result All Saints Church has decided to build on the foundation of a fine and historic building, and a flourishing choir, and invest in a new pipe organ.

A New Organ
We intend to install a three-manual organ with 28 stops, and to place this new organ on a gallery at the West end of the church. The present organ is in a rather cramped position behind the choir stalls at the East end of the church. We believe that placing the new organ in a more prominent and open position at the West end will not only be a visually attractive and spectacular addition to the church, but will make the best use of the large space that the church occupies. This will help to ensure that everyone who is in the building will receive the organ sound without distortion.

It will be an instrument that will attract the best organists in the country to play it, and will be a fitting instrument for the size and splendour of the rest of the building.

In Memoriam.
The new organ will be installed to the greater worship and glory of the Lord, and will be dedicated to the memory of Mr Ian Ledsham, a talented and enthusiastic former Organist and Choirmaster at All Saints, who tragically lost his life in a car accident in 2005.

Costs and Funding
We estimate that the costs of installing a new organ to the specification that we have stated will be £380,000. This is, by coincidence, about the same price as an average family home in the Odiham RG29 postcode in 2008, so it compares with the same criteria as the installation of the present organ in 1878.  If we can raise this sum by the end of 2008 we could have the new organ installed early in 2009 .

Selection of Organ Builder
We have selected Mander Organs of London as the preferred organ builder. We are being advised by Mr Ian Bell, an internationally renowned Organ Adviser.

RAF Window
One of the implications of positioning the new organ on a gallery is that the RAF Window which was installed at the West end of the Church in 1978 will be moved to a place where it will occupy a more prominent position in the Church. The RAF Squadron standards that are placed alongside the window will also be re-located, and more will be added. RAF Odiham are kindly assisting by raising funds for this move.

Dedication of Organ Pipes
One of the ways we will be raising the money needed is by the dedication of some or all the 1700 organ pipes that will be in the new organ. We have had some most generous contributions to this initiative (see Coloured chart at the end of this text). Leaflets with the dedication forms are available from the Church Office or by request to admin@allsaintsodiham.org.uk. Dedications will be kept in a permanent Book of Dedications in the Church untill well into the 22nd Century.

Fund-Raising 
Fund Raising for the new Organ started in June 07. By June 08 half the amount required (£190,000) had been raised or pledged. A full programme of fund-raising events has been held;:
- A Wine Walk took place in Nov 07
- A 9-hour Hymnathon was held in Dec 07
- A very popular Sing Messiah was held in Feb 08
- An Auction of Promises was held in conjunction with Mayhill School in March 08
- Rev Glyn Williams ran the London Marathon on behalf of the Organ Fund and the Eczema Society in April 08.
- The Angell Trio played a concert in the Church sponsored by Bates, Solicitors, in April 08
- A Teddy Bears Picnic Party and Parachuting Teddies from the Church Tower took place in June 08.
- A Concert by the Waverley Singers took place in All Saints Church in June 08.

Future Fund-Raising Events include:
- 7th September. Hatstand Opera performance and Dinner in a Marquee in North Warnborough.
- 19th October. Hammig String Quartet play a concert in All Saints Church.
- 15th November. The RAF Central Band play a Concert at Lord Wandsworth College.
- 6th June 09. The Phoenix Choir sing a concert in All Saints Church.

If you wish to find out more about any of these future events, or you are willing to support the Organ Fund in other ways please contact the Church Office on 01256- 703395 or by eMail to admin@allsaintsodiham.org.uk or tim.paton@tiscali.co.uk.

The Result
Our new organ in All Saints will be the finest instrument for the playing of sacred and secular music for many miles around. We expect it to be rated as one of the best, if not the best, musical instrument between Guildford and Winchester.

It will be located in one of the finest church buildings in North Hampshire and will be a spectacular addition to the existing attractions of Odiham and district.

It will become a feature of the area, and will attract many hundreds of people to play it, sing with it, listen to it, and admire it every year for the next 150 years.