David Ivory in action at Shrewsbury - at the lovely ex-Ritz, Chatham Wurlitzer

A splendid visit to Shrewsbury

Your Editor has just returned from his first visit to the former Buttermarket at Shrewsbury having heard David Ivory at the ex Ritz, Chatham Wurlitzer. Many thanks to the team there for their warm welcome.

The venue is being restored by a new owner to a high standard and the organ seems to be popular with the owner. Tony Byrne and the team do a splendid job and the organ is a delight. The original specification has been augmented to include two further ranks (English Horn and Kinura) and Harmonic Couplers to provide the Blackpool sound . It is in excellent order and still plays on Wurlitzer relays. Work has recently been carried out to reverse the action of the shutters to project the sound into the hall better and the result is good. The complete and functioning Union glass surround is a joy to behold. David played a varied programme and demonstrated the great versatility of this organ.

The organ was installed in 1936 in Chatham under Union Cinemas as designed by Harold Ramsay. A specification based on 8 units over three full manuals with a piano (originally on its own lift) made this an effective and musical design. It was with the help of our own Ralph Bartlett that the organ was acquired from David Pawlyn who installed it at Shrewsbury. David Ivory appeared in 1986 on Electronic with Nigel Ogden as a fund raiser for the project and was pleased to be back which was evident from his enjoyment at the console! The hall has been renamed “Severn Cellars” by the new owners and if you are in the area please do support this venue. You are guaranteed a warm welcome, a fine organ and good music. The concerts commence at 3.00pm. Their website is found at www.shropshiretheatreorgantrust.co.uk

Phil Kelsall, MBE

We are delighted to send our congratulations to our President, Phil on his recent award of an M.B.E. for services to music over his residency at the Tower Ballroom Wurlitzer since 1977. It attracted a good deal of national press coverage at the time.

2010 Annual General Meeting

This was held at the Town Hall, Ossett as guests of the Northern District on 6th June and we are grateful to Colin Smith for chairing the meeting. A full copy of the minutes is available from the Executive Secretary at the address on the front page on request.

Reports were received from the Executive Secretary, the Secretaries in the North, South and Midlands and the Treasurers. It was generally noted that audience numbers were continuing to fall which has an effect on finances coupled with the very low interest currently paid on deposits. The North was undergoing an update of its database which was delaying the renewal process and Frank Hare hoped that 2010 would see this completed. Our thanks were extended to Joe Marsh for his help with the accounts and he was appointed for a further year. The subscription for 2011 will once again be held at £6 (£1 for associates) for the thirteenth year in recognition of the current financial position in the country and despite the relentless increase in postal rates.