Robbie Cleaver at The Ritz, Barnsley Wurlitzer, which is currently being restored by Richard Cole
CORRECTION
It has been brought to our attention that the October~November 2008 edition of News South included an incorrect copy of page 3. The correct page has been reproduced under the 'News South Update' link on the left hand side of this page. This mistake was due to a printer's error which they have apologised for. A hard copy of this missing page will be included in the next News South.
Particular apologies go to our Midlands Secretary, David Redfern for the omission of his report from the October~November 2008.
Grant Pilcher, Editor ~News South
SOUTHERN DISTRICT SECRETARY REPORTS:
'By the time you read this we would have had our first meeting at the super little Rutt at Rounce Farm near Woking. The organ has been undergoing a bit of maintenance under the careful direction of our good friend Frank Fowler (ably (?) assisted by your editor and me!!). This organ was installed at the Super Cinema , Oxford in 1928 and used only until the Summer of 1932. The chamber was subsequently bricked up and the console boarded over. It stayed there until 1978 and was originally installed in Alton, Hampshire from where it was bought by its current owner in 1987. Work was carried out on the organ by Bill Walker of the St. Albans Museum. We hope this will be the first of a series of events at this organ over the years to come and we are very grateful to its owner Peter Webb for his cooperation and kindness in making the venue and organ available to the Club A full report will appear in the next issue as will an update on the Southern programme for 2009 which is being compiled as you read this.'
Wayne Ivany
SOUTH WESTERN SECRETARY REPORTS:
I'm pleased to say that there's been quite a lot of theatre organ activity in the South-West over the last couple of months. The big news is that the Tamar Organ Club, as expected, have now completed the first stage of their restoration of the ex State, Dartford/Gunton Hall Compton at the Dingles Fairground Heritage Centre at Lifton, Devon. The restored console resplendent with the Cascade illuminated surround originally from the Odeon, Kingston-on-Thames - is now complete and connected to the Hauptwerk virtual theatre pipe organ software and an excellent audio system. Regular demonstrations and mini-concerts are taking place on Thursdays and Saturdays in the converted barn, which is home to the instrument for the time being. Excellent progress has also been made on the complete overhaul of all the Compton chests and percussions in readiness for the full installation of the organ, but this week Robin Roper of the Tamar Organ Club has passed on the bad news that the Heritage Lottery Fund have declined to award Dingles a grant towards the construction of their proposed lecture theatre in which the organ chambers will be provided. Although they will re-apply, this is a big setback, but very much vindicates Robin's decision to get the console playing through the Hauptwerk system first, as this gives them the opportunity to stage concerts and, very importantly, raise awareness of the project.
Taking the opportunity to experience something a little different, Robin has very kindly offered to demonstrate the organ for members of the Theatre Organ Club and to give others the opportunity to try it out. Therefore the final South-Western meeting for this year will be at Dingles on Saturday 11th October. Normal admission charges will apply to the centre which are 6 for adults and 4.50 for children and seniors and all the facilities and exhibits will be fully open for you to explore during your visit. There will be no additional charge for entrance to the meeting, which I hope will be an enjoyable, informal occasion, but there will be a voluntary retiring collection towards the continuing restoration of the Compton. I hope to see many of you there. The meeting will start at 2pm, but please arrive early, as there is a nice self-service cafe and picnic area on site, either of which will provide very pleasant surroundings for lunch. Dingles is one mile off the A30 dual-carriageway 35 miles west of Exeter, and 7 miles east of Launceston - follow the brown-and-white tourist signs - and there is free parking on site.
Over in Lyme Bay, a series of fundraising concerts has been organised at Beer Congregational Church under the auspices of the newly-formed Friends of the BeerWurly. The first, in conjunction with Cled Griffin's Lyme Bay organ festival is on Saturday 18th October at 3pm featuring Jean Martyn, Elizabeth Harrison, Chris Powell, Ian Griffin and Richard Bower on the Wurlitzer and electronics. The following Sunday 26th sees our own Matthew Bason in concert at 2pm, and on Saturday 15th November at 2.30 Trevor Bolshaw will be playing the Wurlitzer, which he first heard at the Gaumont, Walsall as a boy! Please note the differing start times of each of these events.
Finally, of interest to those members within easy reach of the Severn Bridge or First Great Western Trains, is the exciting news that the ex Gaumont, Manchester 4/14 Wurlitzer is to be installed at Folly Farm, a very popular family tourist destination at Begelly, near Tenby in West Wales. It will be installed ready for next season, and is to be sited near their indoor vintage fairground rides. It is expected that the organ will be in use daily and will also be available for concerts.
Stephen Dutfield
NORTHERN SECRETARY REPORTS:
ANOTHER MELODIOUS AFTERNOON WITH JOE MARSH
You are invited to Ossett Town Hall on Sunday, 5th October when Joe Marsh will once again be playing the Compton theatre organ. It is three years since Joe's last appearance at this venue, but more than thirty years since his first visit, and throughout that time his handling of the organ and choice of music have been appreciated by the audiences. The concert commences at 2.30 p.m., the doors being open from 2.00 p.m. The admission charge is £4.00, children up to 16 being admitted free, if with adults.
Joe hails from Wallsend, his late father being an organ builder and organist, so it is not surprising that he was inspired to do the same, except that organ building is a hobby rather than a profession. He first played a cinema organ at fourteen, after helping his father to restore the Compton at the Regal, Byker, and was soon making public appearances there. His restoration skills were to become invaluable after joining the North East Theatre Organ Association and assisting in the maintenance and improvement of their superb Wurlitzer at Howden-le-Wear, which has recently received an almost complete rebuild and enlargement.
We hope very much that you will endeavor to give Joe your support on 5th October, and thank you in anticipation. As usual, tea and biscuits will be available, at the interval. The final N.T.O.T. concert of the present year will be on Sunday, 7th December, when we welcome back the now internationally famous Yorkshire-born organist Simon Gledhill.
THEATRE ORGAN HERITAGE CENTRE, PEEL GREEN
Friday Night is Music Night at the Heritage Centre
Regular visitors to the Heritage Centre are already aware of a special concert on Friday, 7th November at 7.00 p.m., when we are delighted to welcome Nigel Ogden, making his first concert appearance at the two manual, six unit Wurlitzer. Tickets priced at £5.00 are available from Colin Smith at the usual address (see previous page) but admissions being strictly limited to 82, we urge you not leave it too late. Ticket reservations started as soon as Nigel's appearance was announced some weeks ago.
Lunchtime concerts at the Heritage Centre
Lunchtime concerts on the two manual, six unit Wurlitzer organ are held every Wednesday from 1.00 to 2.30 p.m. They continue to be well supported and enjoyed, still attracting new faces each week, and often parties of visitors in addition to the regulars. Members are again reminded that due to the limited seating capacity it is advisable to reserve the number of tickets required by sending a line to Colin Smith at the address already stated, or telephoning him on 0161 764 3979. Tickets will then be available to collect on the door, ensuring that members, particularly those travelling some distances, do not have a wasted journey.
The organists appearing during the next three months are as follows:
3rd September Peter Jebson
10th September Norman Scott
17th September John Barnett
24th September Robert Rowley
1st October Matthew Bason
8th October David Redfern
15th October Lisa Needham
22nd October Cameron Lloyd
29th October Elizabeth Harrison
5th November Howard Beaumont
12th November Stephen Austin
19th November John Barnett
26th November David Ivory
Frank Hare