Just to put a few things into perspective, controversial thought it may be

Bone of contention

Even though our companies workshop facility's and quality of work in general has been inspected by the IBO and "Whole-heartedly approved" we are not members, this is basically due to just one single activity we have been involved in and also up front about - adding pipeless voices and departments to traditional pipe organs.We would never dispute that the alternative is inferior to the real thing but there are times and places that it is a very realistic alternative.

Customer driven

We were stimulated to rise to the challenge by several of our long term clients, who would have loved to have kept the pipe organ but unfortunately were unable to finance the restoration of the pipe instrument and having been associated with our company for the best part of half a century wanted to keep the relationship ongoing

Nothing new

This is not new to the industry nor will it go away, we are not the only company to do this but we are not doing it in the same round about way that some other accredited IBO member companies have done. Also other well established accredited companies have used pipeless additions to new and rebuilt instruments.

Ironic twist

Irony - One of the IBO inspectors that visited our company and "Whole-heartedly approved" our work and facility is now employed as chief sales executive by the company that supplies us with the equipment for pipe organ controls, pipeless organs and pipeless add on's !!

With regards to the last paragraph in the above letter we feel that this may not be as sincere as it sounds, as we have been told that we would not be considered or put on the "recommended list" of certain advisors and diocese unless we were accredited members of the IBO.

Are we being driven out of Business

This would be deemed as restrictive practice and hence illegal, especially considering that no other good reason for the same could be given.!!

Your views and comment on all or any of the above would be most appreciated

George and Andrew Sixsmith