Fops Celebration
Does anyone know of any organs going the 50 years of Fops celebration on the 21/22 of July, Were taking the Ruth, but were not sure about much else. Jake

Fops Celebration
Hi Jake, Peter Haywood's FOPS notes in 'The World's Fair' this week list the following: Jack Schofield - Ex Ashley gallopers with Gavioli trumpet organ, Nigel Myers - 'De Grote Gavioli' (with 'General Gough'), David Byass - 87 key Gavioli (with 'Success'), Margaret Cook - 93 keyless Ruth, Stuart Graves - 52 key Dutch street organ, Harry Thompson - 105 key Decap, Andrew Reid - 89 key Pierre Eich and 20 keyless Fussell, Richard Storey - 52 key Limonaire, Sam Price - 43 keyless Bruder replica, Chris Dobbs - 89 key G4 Gavioli, The show sorgan society - 98 key 'Whites' Gavioli. Peter states that 30 organs were booked in total by the start of June and that he will list the others next week. Best wishes, Trevor.

Hi everyone, I can also confirm that Robert Wichall's 47 key Marenghi will be attending, as will Allan Fitton's 46 keyless Wilhelm Bruder Sohne. This organ was the first to attend a steam rally back in 1955 when in the ownership of the Rundle family. I'm volunteered for keyframe duties on both organs, as well as Margaret Cook's Ruth so I'm in for a busy weekend! Jeremy.

How was the show? What did everyone think?

Unfortunatly. almost no one turned up, which was a shame, as the setup was fantastic, no overcrowded arees of organs so you could hear every organ at once, i made friends with some germans too, there desperate to get the Ruth over there, someone called Jays I think pronounced yays :S). It was a great weekend, Its just a huge shame that a commitee like FOPS put so much effort in to it, and no one turned up. shame on those who had the chance to come, and didnt :)

It was a shame is was so poorly supported by visitors. I would guess the people who travelled the furtherst to visit were Keith Hilson and Richard Kerridge from Basingstoke. Although the weather on Saturday left a lot to be desired (wet) in the back field those who were in the best positions to play (Margaret Cooks' Ruth with myself on joint keyframe duties), Chris Dobb's Gavioli and Tony Hunt's Gavioli kept going for most of the afternoon. The Sunday was a litle better attended, but a strong wind made life interesting(!) for those in the wrong place. I'm no lightweight but there were places around the site where it was difficult to stay upright against the wind. Despite that, I had a great time as it allowed me to see several organs I had never seen before. Most of the entrants were old, quality organs and that's what a lot of people say they want to see more of! I'd like to offer my thanks to Alan and Sandra Baldry for the use of the site, the FOPS committee for organising the event and all the organ owners for turning out at their own expense to support it. Jeremy.

Sorry, perhaps I ought to clarify myself. I believe the furthest travelled UK visitors were Keith Hilson and Richard Kerridge. There was a Dutch presence in the form of Jan van Dinteren (was this the gentleman you spoke to Jake?) and Leo Hessels on both days and Jan Kees de Ruijter on the Sunday only. The prize for the distance furthest travelled must go to the American couple (whose names escape me, sorry!) who had been on the Bumbling Bruder tour and stayed on to come to Holme on Spalding Moor at the invitation of Richard Preston. I hope they enjoyed themselves. Jeremy.

That well could of been him, he was realy nice, and loved the sound of Merry Wives of Windsor on our Ruth, I've always longed to me Jan Kees, because what he can do with the gavi is amazing. Are you the gentleman that played our ruth at dorset 05?

Hello Jake, Yes I did have one shortish session on the Ruth in 2005, but the person who played it the majority of the time was another of our crew members, Peter Mackett from Bournemouth. He would have liked to have come up to Holme On Spalding Moor but unfortunately work and home commitments got in the way. Jeremy.