Southern Secretary- Wayne Ivany

It was a busy couple of weeks for me during July with a visit to Veronica Trott's to hear Kevin Morgan in concert for a club meeting on the 4th, arranged by our Newsletter Editor, and splendid it was too with around 30 people in attendance. The Compton organ was sounding well and Kevin made good use of the ten units (and solo cello) at his disposal. There was a bit of a disaster when the illuminated surround ceased to function, especially as Kevin had gone to some trouble to put together several colour selections with the intention of featuring those colours at the console. However, we used our imagination and the rest of the organ behaved itself. Also on hand was David Ivory who gave Kevin a well deserved break to cool off during the second half. It was also nice to meet midlands organist Arthur Tipper who gave a few tunes after the show, as in days of old. I hope we shall have the pleasure of hearing Arthur again. Thanks to Veronica for throwing open her home to club members and for keeping the Compton organ in such good shape.

On the 11th I journeyed down to Gosport where we were fortunate to have Michael Wooldridge play the ever improving Compton for us. Michael says he hasn't played for the club since the days of Ralph Bartlett, we must ensure that we feature him again soon. Michael gave a thoroughly entertaining and musical performance which was enjoyed by over 70 members and friends, of music ranging from show tunes (Oklahoma) to a tribute to the armed forces, as we commemorate the Battle of Britain and yes - people did sing along. There were some of Michael's now expected 'Big Band' stylings which also went down well, and it was nice to see the audience enjoying the music. A special thank you to Michael who has joined the band of organists who kindly play for the Club at a reduced rate, it really is appreciated, and it enables us to cover most of our costs and means that we can continue to use some of the surviving organs in and around the south.

Midlands Secretary – David Redfern

Sunday 26 September @ 2:30 pm – Kevin Grunill at the Wurlitzer Organ

Town Hall, Burton-upon-Trent.

Our concert in May featured David Lobban, one of the team of organists at the Tower Ballroom, Blackpool. Thank you to David for a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon’s music at the Wurlitzer, which now has had a Midi Piano added to the specification.

Our next concert at Burton Town Hall will be on Sunday 26 September 2010 @ 2:30pm, when Kevin Grunill will be putting the Wurlitzer through its paces. Doors open @ 2:00pm and the admission charge is £5.00 each, payable on the door. As usual, advance booking is not required and refreshments will be available during the interval.

Kevin is well known in theatre organ circles through his involvement with the ex Paramount/Odeon Birmingham Compton, now installed at the Paramount Cinema Penistone and the two Wurlitzer organs (ex Granada Greenford and Mansfield) installed at the Scarborough Fair Collection. Kevin’s latest project is the restoration and installation of the Compton from the City School Sheffield at a new venue near Barnsley.

Prior to this, Kevin was the resident organist on the North Pier in Blackpool as well as being a member of the Tower Team of organists, so he is sure to provide an entertaining programme.

I hope that as many members as possible will make an effort to attend the concert, as a good level of support is required in order for us to continue running the concerts at the Town Hall.

Extracts from News North – Frank Hare

“When the AGM ended at 1.45pm, everyone made their way to the main hall to join with the general public to make up the largest audience seen for quite some time. It was a rather special day being not only the 60th Anniversary of the Club’s Northern Area’s first meeting, but also an opportunity to meet and hear their Club’s 2010 Patron , Richard Hills.

His concert was an object lesson in playing and his mastery of the organ a joy to behold as he produced a wealth of glorious tone-colours. The carefully selected programme included several appropriate items, opening with “An Earful of Music” as a tribute to the Club’s original President Robinson Cleaver, and the first half ended with the “A.B.C. March” composed by Reginald Foort to remind us that it was Reg Foort who designed the Ossett Console 80 years ago for the luxurious and modernistic New Victoria Cinema in London which has been used at Ossett for now 40 years; far longer than in its original home!

After the interval there was a short tribute to the late Arnold Loxam, in the presence of his dear wife Audrey and their son, Keith. Audrey was too moved to say much but there was plenty of often humorous reminiscences from his friend and fellow BBC Radio Leeds presenter Barrie Davenport who with Frank Hare made over 800 broadcasts together. Memories also came from another close friend Canon Ralph Crowe who conducted Arnold’s funeral in March. As the stage curtains parted Richard Hills rounded off the tribute with a delightful rendition of Arnold’s signature tune, “Come back to Sorrento” before going into the remainder of his programme.

It should be also mentioned that Frank Hare was completely taken by surprise when his 60 years of service to the Club and 40 years with the N.T.O.T. at Ossett were marked by the presentation of framed tributes from his colleagues in the North and a framed collection of nostalgic photographs (one dating back to 1947!) from the South. He is very grateful to all concerned.

Finally we can inform you that the Patron photograph of Richard Hills was taken at the meeting and will be distributed with the next issue.”