Organ Update 7th April 2006
History in Harmony UPDATE # 27 Compiled by Boz Oram
boz@historyinharmony.com
www.historyinharmony.com
Welcome to Update Number 27 and a hearty welcome to all of members on the Update.
Thanks for your continued support and please keep passing this update around – New people are welcome to join and all they have to do is email me at boz@historyinharmony.com and I’ll do the rest.
All links and websites have been checked out beforehand firstly to see if they work and whether they carry any viruses. All you have to do is just click the left-hand button and you’ll be into another world!
Advance Sorry! If the spelling and grammar seems this time to be a bit more odd than usual, it’s most likely due to me pasting various snippets from other countries into this Update and the foreign spell check not responding in English! Other than that, everything normal….
To Start Off With…
Now to something that ought to keep you all happy – how to keep the hard earned money away from faceless bureaucrats – continuing on from the last History in Harmony Update, further information about Inheritance Tax and how to avoid it...
The Taxman commeth! © Boz Oram 1996(revised 2001/2/3/4/5/6)
FACT Something is going to happen in our lives that you can be mighty sure of ………... We are all going to die.
“Yes”, I’ve heard of reincarnation too but there are certain people who don’t take too kindly to getting out of dying that way! One of them being, the dreaded taxman! Death is not a nice subject to talk about, I know that, but the point that I am making is that the possessions that we have in our charge, (which includes houses, money and treasured family heirlooms), are in many cases worth quite a substantial amount of money.
As I have said, it is an inevitable consequence of living that we will die and when we do the value of all our possessions will be totted up to establish the value of our estate. Once the value has been established, whoever is sorting out your estate will have to pay tax on anything (AT THIS MOMENT - March 2006) over £275,000 at 40% tax. (to increase by 3.6% next month April to £285,000). The only sure-fire exclusions to this tax charge are that if assets are to be passed to someone you are legally married to, (your spouse!), no tax is payable on the part transferred to him or her, and donations to registered charities and political parties are also allowed to be excluded from the total estate value.
Otherwise, everything in excess of £285,000 (known as the Nil Rate Band, which is generally increased each year), will suffer a huge 40% wallop. Another significant point is that the tax due must be paid as soon after death occurs as possible and it is only after the tax is paid that legal title to the assets of the deceased is passed on. In other words, you cannot sell the assets of the deceased to pay the tax, you have to raise the funds yourself, or borrow from a bank.
Now what this means is that for estates valued at under the Nil Rate Band there is no tax to pay, but anything over that amount will be taxed at 40%. For example, let us say that the IHT figure has been passed by £100,000, and then the tax will be £40,000. If no arrangements have been made, then your beneficiaries most likely will have to pay a severe amount of money before they can actually have anything from your Estate! In the meantime, what ever you owned could either languish in a state of limbo (and rot), or be sold to pay the Chancellor of the Exchequer his dues (at maybe a lower price than is right and correct), plus interest if payment is delayed.
That is the Law and Fact. Remember that not all of us have spare Rembrandt (see article later on in this Update) to sell and subsidise the tax system, but if that is your situation and your intention, then read no further as I think anything I say will fall on deaf ears however, I would point our that up until now I have never met anyone who likes paying an unfair tax to an unknown person just to be squandered on unknown people who also don’t care about you, except to be jealous.
I therefore guess that you are all still with me.
Continuing on…. Since the Chancellor has taken office, he has had a go at Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and has been rather financially radical (remember who paid for the Dome – in fact do you remember the Dome in London?) and he is supposedly to have a go at Inheritance Tax (IHT) soon. Potentially, he could remove the 7-year rule and a tier system could be enforced, so instead of a flat rate of 40% it could be 30% - 60%. This is pure speculation, however I know that rarely do those people in power do anything that is “nice” and rumours tend to become fact. The fiscal legislation is normally from the date of becoming law, although he has now introduced retrospective legislation, which is astonishingly radical in a financial area. Let me explain further now and hopefully put this into a language that we can all understand.
CHOICES.
At this moment, there are a number of options at your disposal. These can quite easily be put into place without too much of a burden or problem on you or your Estate and are normally quite inexpensive to you as the giver or (if you wish) to the receiver.
WILLS
The first and most important is to make a Will! (no, not a handsome member of the British Royal Family, but a Will). Yes, it’s the easiest thing to do, but is the most overlooked and important aspect of anyone’s financial life. Only a small percentage of people actually bother to make one, normally due to two(ish) reasons. The first is because they think it is difficult to do and the other is because they think that they are too young and are frightened about confronting death too early. (there is another one of course, which is those of you who are too darned lazy, but we won’t talk about you until later!). Without a Will, it is NOT up to the family as to whom the chattels (possessions) go to. No folks! It’s a Government department official! We all know that they will try and do their best, but you know as well as I do, that there is only one person who can decide who gets what. And that is you and YOU alone. No government person can know YOUR thoughts. Sometimes we don’t even know our own thoughts! Depending upon what you want to put into you Will, it can cost from about £30 upwards (less if you do it on the back of a cigarette packet, but not recommended).
7 YEAR RULE
Now that you have made a Will via a solicitor, financial consultant, the post office, (what ever you choose will be better than nothing but it’s better to go through someone who has a legal understanding), you can take advantage of what is known as the “ 7 Year Rule”.
“Yes Folks, you can use, with the Governments blessing this excellent tax-efficient way of passing most things over to your beneficiaries without anyone paying anything at all, especially to the tax-man. Roll up! Roll up! Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, everything is free of charge!!!!!!” Unfortunately (and you knew that there would be a down point) with every “free” offer there is always a penalty.
The drawback is that you have to actually give everything over the Government’s limit without any ties and through a legal document. So long as you live for seven full years, then no tax to anyone. You can also protect your wishes by taking out a small Life Assurance Term policy for the stated time and put the money in trust to the beneficiaries should you die before your allotted time. The unfortunate thing is that the beneficiary can also sell the item(s) without you having any say in the matter so a family heirloom that you couldn’t bear to be without can be sold from under your feet. It is therefore a case of “trust” and hoping that things don’t change. Not wishing to put a dampener on the proceedings, these items can also be sold as part of your beneficiary’s divorce settlement (male or female) including that 7 year period as I found out to my cost. Bearing in mind that the collector’s movement also enjoys the modern fad of bad unions, (ie dreadful marriages) then it is quite possible that your pride and joy, (something that you have had for years and cherish more than anything else - apart from your family of course), could be part of some legal beagle’s sleazy divorce arrangement. Even a family feud can rear its ugly head in this situation so beware. Enough articles have been written on that subject, so I need not go down that avenue.
To be continued……….. Cor just reading this is really exciting – all in a language that is understandable! If it just fires up a glimmer of hope in you, then maybe your family and friends might just survive the ordeal of death………
That’s it for this instalment as I’ve been told that these Updates are too full.
(Countries that still practice this chronic diahorrea of a tax are featured in the previous History in Harmony Update #26 Spitfire Special).
La Cascade
An enigma in its own lifetime, as it was bought back in 1961 by my father an was sold as a Gavioli organ, but with research and speaking to many different people, the general thought is that it was originally a Mortier organ but may well have gone to the Gavioli factory in the Rue d Bércy at one time in its life and been rebuilt there. The reason for this thought is that it was with a carousel and whilst being worked on, the carousel was razed to the ground. The instrument upon return was then used at front of fair to entice the people. During WW2, there is a story, mentioned in the Ord-Hume book that the card operative was playing the Belgian National Anthem and was ordered to stop playing it - he refused and was consequently shot at the keyframe. During the blockade, many thousands of metres of card music were burnt and as a consequence, when it was bought from Grymonprez, there were only five books of music with the instrument. According to Eugene Peersman, most of the music had been arranged and cut by him in its early days and when it came over to the UK, he resumed that original job. As you may imagine, much of its early music therefore came from one of the original noteurs and in some cases, the music had already been cut previously for the organ. Again Peersman was the sage on this instrument and quite a lot of what has been said about its history, came from him.
We were led to believe that the organ had been rebuilt and altered many times before its purchase in the early 60’s however this instrument has always been designed with contrast, colour and the ability to play any piece of music without problem and has a most eclectic library of music not heard elsewhere. The organ is fully chromatic throughout and is linked throughout which means that it actually has if needed, a full pedal board. I don’t know of any other organ that has that facility, but I am sure that there must be at least one.
The instrument also has the distinction of being one of the first to be travelled around in preservation use and managed to get a new group of enthusiasts into enjoying mechanical music, many of whom had never seen anything like this previously. It has many memories for me especially going to The Great Steam Fair held at Shottesbrooke Park in 1964, Longleat in 1965, Alexandra Palace just after the great fire, Germany, N Ireland and Eire, plus those lovely shows at Beaulieu and maybe Appleford right in the halcyon days of the early preservation movement.
The hardest thing for me to do is actually think of passing the instrument onto someone else, but I do realise that I am one person, with a demanding life, a need to channel my energies into the future and let go of the past so that someone else can actually enjoy one of the UK’s earliest mechanical organs that graced the preservation scene.
From Nick Dean in Bristol - A change at Dean Organs:
Due to Nick's wife suffering from a long-term illness, Nick is now working from home. Any music orders should be directed to him on email: nickdean@blueyonder.co.uk or write: 57 Ladman Rd, Stockwood, Bristol, BS14 8QD.
All usual organ building/restoration should continue to be directed to Richard at the usual Dean Organs address, 40 Bristol Rd, Whitchurch, Bristol, BS14 0PT. email info@deangroup.co.uk
Kind regards, Nick www.deanorgans.co.uk
St George’s Day 23rd April - FBHVC
The FBHVC (Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs) is asking the owners of all historic vehicles to create a movement in the form of having a trundle around the UK on St George’s Day (the Patron Saint of England) and making it a “drive it day”. This isn’t as silly as it sounds, due to the fact that the FBHVC tirelessly works on the preservationist’s behalf and its about time that they actually gave something back for all of the time and effort. I therefore wholeheartedly support everyone making the effort to take their piece of machinery, organ old car, barrow, tank - whatever shows our heritage to the general public and more to the point, the rule makers who will then see that we can actually work together. The FBHVC exists to uphold the freedom to use old vehicles and consequently if you don’t support the FBHVC, then what’s the point of actually owning one of these vintage pieces of our heritage if we don’t make the best possible use of it.
Please use your item in public or if that is not possible, then place it somewhere that can be seen by the General Public. This year, St George’s Day falls on a Sunday. Maybe a journey to the church, or maybe if you are the vicar, then go to work in you old vehicle – you might pick up a few stragglers on the way.
Just do it – you never know, you might just enjoy the experience of going out on a trip to the seaside, enjoy a troddle out in the countryside, visit a stately home or maybe just go shopping and remember why you bought it in the first place.
Another thought, even though in other countries St George most likely means nothing, the date of the 23rd every April might be a suitable time for all in the world to just take their charges out for a spin and show the rest of the world what a fantastic heritage they all have and we might just be able to continue with our hobby with the backing of our respective leaders.
And on similar thoughts, here’s a little bit of expression from
Dave Alexander who promotes L'Esprit Manouche
I am totally surprised that Dave’s language wasn’t full of expletives when he wrote this (maybe it was and he decided upon the more gentle approach). We are all in this game together and unfortunately, there isn’t one minister, or person to whom this cry from the heart ever goes. A central point might be suitable in Government, but even then they don’t even speak to each other (take the Inland Revenue for instance)
Hi All,
It saddens me to have to say that unless a miracle happens and someone shows up with a good few grand it doesn't look as if we are going to be able to make L'Esprit Manouche happen this year - the lack of funding has made it impossible!
We had expected backing from the local council for the next few years but government changed everything - nobody told us this mind you we had to find out - and by the time we did find out it was way to late to make anything else happen for this year!
And to help matters along there’s the new licensing laws - our entertainments licence used to cost around £350 - new regulations mean that it could end up costing in excess of £2000 now! The licensing departments want you to employ solicitors to apply for a licence because its such a mess that no one, (even the people at the licensing department), knows how or what it means!!!!! (If you want music to be allowed in the UK you all better get complaining to your MP etc about this licensing bill!)
I could borrow another 10k from a friend towards getting the festival going - but I am still paying off the debt from the previous years - and Berni nearly lost her house last year due to devoting so much time to working on L'Esprit for no monies - (she and I don't even get expenses!) - I can't expect her to do that again!
So its real sad - to me L'Esprit Manouche has been a nightmare of organisation, but a thing of real heart, honesty and beauty when it happens - there aren't enough moments like that in life and it’s a tragedy when one more is closed down!
Keep Smiling,
Dave Alexander
Festival Director
L'Esprit Manouche Festival
tel 0044 (0)121 249 2303
email dave@lespritmanouche.com
web www.lespritmanouche.com
I really have to sympathise with Dave here – truly the UK is on a self-destruct course, and has been for at least three decades with our tourism and festivals (and of course Industry). I really don’t understand why we still do not have a tourism minister or someone to whom we can put our ideas. So, are the problems that we find in the UK home grown and if so, what can be done about it? Who knows, but somewhere out there is the answer.
Tourism Alliance responds to Bed Tax
Many have asked about this indirect form of taxation – here’s the la-*test*-('") report…
The Tourism Alliance has responded strongly to the Lyons Inquiry's Interim Report, which indicated that they were considering recommending a tourism tax as a means to improve local authority funding. Work by the Tourism Alliance shows that the suggested introduction of a bed tax would not only be iniquitous and difficult to administer, but would be detrimental to tourism industry and, ultimately, local economies that are reliant on tourism. Indeed, the imposition of a bed tax would only target a maximum of 5% of visitors to UK destinations and, as such, would generate much less revenue that councils would expect.
In it's submission the Alliance also pointed out that the UK's tourism deficit is currently running at about £18bn per annum as a result of UK residents taking advantage of overseas holidays in destinations with lower costs. To impose an additional tax on the UK tourism industry will simply increase the cost of domestic holidays and further exacerbate the trend for residents to take their holidays overseas. For local authorities to increase the revenue that they receive from tourism, it is important that they work with the industry in increase tourism flows rather than introducing barriers.
Now to a country that embraces its culture, its young generation and the older population with help from its Government.
From Brechje Manschot, marketing manager of Van Speelklok tot Pierement - Netherlands
The most musical museum in the Netherlands!
On the occasion of its 50th anniversary, the National Museum From Musical Clock to Street Organ in Utrecht, the Netherlands, presents the international exhibition ‘Royal Music Machines’. Having acquired a large number of loans of instruments from other museums worldwide, the museum will host a spectacular collection of some of the most famous musical automata of the past five hundred years.
This event will take place from 13 April to 30 July 2006.
Website www.museumspeelklok.nl and look in the top right hand corner for the language change.
Just look at the places where the instruments have come from…….
In co-operation with
State Hermitage, St. Petersburg Musée National des Arts et Métiers, Paris
Musée du Louvre, Paris Muziekinstrumentenmuseum, Brussels
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna
Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon, Dresden Royal Collections, The Hague
Musée d´Art et d’Histoire, Neuchâtel Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nuremberg
National Library of the Czech Republic Paleis Het Loo National Museum,
Apeldoorn
In bygone ages behind palace doors, now open to the public
Over the centuries it was predominantly the crowned heads of Europe who could afford the acquisition of such spectacular works of art. In the past five hundred years, they had music machines made that crossed the border between art, music and technology. Unique pieces from collections of the Habsburgs, Romanovs, Bourbons, Esterházy´s and the Oranjes will be on view during the exhibition.
Worldwide masterpieces, for once in Utrecht
In 2003 the museum conceived the idea of an exhibition of some 50 musical automata in a survey of the most spectacular pieces worldwide. Long-standing co-operation with international museums proved fruitful, resulting in a number of invaluable loans, some of which are leaving their premises for the first time. For example La Musicienne (Musician), one of the most famous music machines ever, can now be seen for the first time in history together with her ‘sister’ ´ la Joueuse de Tympanon, made for Queen Marie-Antoinette of France.
La Musicienne is an almost full-size mechanical lady of 233 years old. She plays a pipe organ with her own automated fingers. She breathes visibly (her chest moves) and her eyes follow the movement of her fingers on the keys. At the end of her performance she curtsies gracefully to her audience. In the 18th century this automaton was already a resounding success.
Royal toys
Royal houses and emperors wanted to display wealth and power so as to make a lasting impression on their guests and other royal families. As an ultimate proof of their good taste and status symbol, they instructed instrument makers to construct the most exclusive automatons, often as presents for special guests or dear friends.
Spectacular examples from the Renaissance are the ship automata that moved along the table as a showpiece during royal banquets. Only three of these royal toys are still left, one of which is this solid silver and fire-gilt ship automaton that was in all probability made for Emperor Rudolf II of Habsburg.
On board there is a colourful group of crewmembers, and under the canopy, the Emperor himself is seated. Once the spring-mechanisms are wound, the ship will sail forward, rolling on its invisible eccentric wheels. Trumpeters play a flourish to the rhythmic accompaniment of a drummer and a kettledrum player. Finally a wheel-lock mechanism is activated and a cannon loaded with gunpowder fires a deafening blast. Because the imperial ship’s mechanisms are in a state of grave disrepair, the National Museum From Musical Clock to Street Organ has build a working model which, on special occasions, can perform all of the above mentioned functions, complete with the firing of the gunpowder cannon.
About the carriage that was manufactured around 1795 for tsarina Catharina the Great, a moving story is to be told.
It took Egor Kuznetsov, a Russian blacksmith and serf of the Empress,
16 years to make the ingenious carriage, before presenting it to his mistress. Catharina decided to add the gift to the imperial collection and gave Kuznetsov in exchange for the piece of art his freedom. The carriage is equipped with a hodometer and an automatic organ that could be switched on during a ride to entertain the passengers. The musical cylinder of the carriage contains a wide variety of the popular melodies of that day. Moreover, new cylinders could be made to keep up with the la-*test*-('") musical trends.
In the 18th century in the Far East is was believed that giving presents in pairs would bring good luck, whereas giving one present would be bad luck. Automata such as these elephants of nearly 2.5 meters tall were produced predominantly for the royal houses of the Near and Far East. Here it is not only the quality of the music mechanisms and the delicacy of the 150 water cascades but first and foremost the sheer size of the bronze patinated and fire-gilt bodies of the elephants.
Visitor information ‘Royal Music Machines’ National Museum from Musical Clock to Street Organ
The National Museum from Musical Clock to Street Organ is housed in the central mediaeval parish church (more like a small cathedral) in the old inner city of Utrecht. The museum contains an important collection of automatic musical instruments and is famous for its great number of pieces in perfect playing condition. These instruments are presented live during guided tours every hour. This way, the museum succeeds in keeping not only the instruments alive, but also the fascinating culture of music behind them. The combination of music, technology, history and anecdotes makes the museum attractive for visitors of all ages and all kinds; young and old, music lovers and specialists, collectors and clubs, thoughtful listeners and excited fans.
National Museum from Musical Clock to Street Organ
Steenweg 6 3511 JP Utrecht
Telephone +31(0)30-2312789
Fax +31(0)30-2322285
e-mail post@museumspeelklok.nl
www.museumspeelklok.nl
Just click on the website, hit the language button and you’ll have a fantastic website to look at. Moving pictures, sounds and a whole host more. (in fact anyone wanting to get ideas on how to show off their collection via a website, should all go to this one).
Well done to the collection for giving us 21st century style without loosing the past excellence.
Dates
The exhibition will take place from 13 April to 30 July 2006, in the National Museum. From Musical Clock to Street Organ, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Opening hours
Tuesday to Sunday and public holidays from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m.
During the exhibition on Thursday from 10 a.m. till 9 p.m.
Brechje Manschot, marketing manager Royal Music Machines,
Phone: + 31(0)30-2326093, e-mail bmanschot@museumspeelklok.nl .
We are hoping to see this collection shortly- let us know if you want to join us
And now for something completely different.............
Healthcare in Europe
To people outside of the UK, you might have to stand back in total disbelief when you look at this.
A Conservative MP has joined a growing band of tooth tourists, travelling over the English Channel to get dental treatment. The politician has taken a route outside of British Politics and regularly makes a 500 mile round trip from Lincolnshire due to a severe shortage and and inability to register with any dentist, as there is such a scarcity of them. The present administration has also altered dentistry charges rising by 200% for a check-up and fillings by just over 600%! It is also estimated that some two million persons in the UK are finding it impossible to find a National Health Dentist – the National Health Service, once the guiding light of all health services throughout the world is, it seems sadly no more.
There are several internet sites to make it easier to find an overseas dentist and www.OuchMyTooth.com will find you an English speaking dentist.
Why not make it a bit of a holiday when you go and enjoy the country that you are visiting. Do check out all your ideas beforehand – make sure that you don’t just go overseas and find a dentist by looking at a magazine advert as they will have an important role in your mouth (much the same as any other dentist, however you will also have the choice overseas). SE/260306P9
From Joby Carter - Riders of the Lost Ark
After seeing an article in Old Glory www.oldglory.co.uk about this remarkable survivor, I had a chat with Joby Carter who intends to actually christen the ride at the (13/14 May) West Wycombe fair, near to High Wycombe (not the one near to Croydon which many mistake!). The steam event will not take place at Pinkney’s Green this year but funnily enough, the locals have really come out in support of Carters Fair asking why this could happen at all. From the way Joby was talking, he is very touched by the response from the Public opinions shared in the newspapers and at this moment is talking to the authorities. We wish him well and hope that whatever the end result will be, is positive.
Joby (when I spoke to him at the end of last week) was still to finish 10 rounding boards, which to a lesser human would be insurmountable, however to him and the dedicated team, this is the downhill run (and all to be finished in two weeks!). It is remarkable that this fairground ride has been rebuilt, refurbished and then totally repainted in its original style ready for -*test*-('")ing and then to go out onto the tober and earn a living. This has also been done at the same time as all of the other machines of the fair, side-stalls and various packing trucks and living vans have also had their maintenance and repainting and varnishing. Now dedication and will power have their prominence here, but something else which is almost far more important, a little thing called love and dedication helps as well.
On the fair this year will be the motorcycle Wall of Death and a traditional Helter Skelter. Returning back to West Wycombe, this is the place that was made infamous by the notorious Hell Fire Club http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/history/hellfire/hellfire.html this event will be just what it says on the tin “a fine weekend out for all” with four working showmans engines there. This is actually a sight that does not happen elsewhere in the world on a true fair only basis. It is unique and most likely one of the rarest sights on the preservation scene.
Funnily enough, after a request for a steam showman’s engine to haul the ride around, the man who came up trumps is John Wharton with Burrell King George VI, who is also at this moment doing final restoration work on the engine.
The expected first outing will be Reading on April 16th over the Easter Weekend. See website for details http://www.carters-steam-fair.co.uk/carters_steam_fair_001.htm
A site sponsored by Carters Fair http://groups.msn.com/Fairimage. http://www.maidenhead.net/tour/carters/ will give you an idea about the fair itself and for information about the fair in book form, go to this website http://www.thegalloper.com/jumperbooks/bigjumpercarters.html
From Michael Woolf in New Zealand
Both Michael Woolf and Jim and Sarah Harper, who came on a trip with us to Germany last year, have come up with an idea of a tour down to New Zealand with us. I have set the wheels in motion with a few other people who have other types of bits and pieces and if any of you are interested, please let me know and I’ll see if its viable.
I’ll let Michael continue………
Jim and Sarah Harper who were with me on the Waldkirch tour last year join
me in issuing this invitation to all who want to come down under. We can direct you to about six biggish organs including ours, spread more or less evenly around this country.
There are also several medium sized collections featuring smaller organs,
orchestrions, reproducing pianos, musical boxes and other items of
mechanical music.
New Zealand's scenic wonders are famous and the temperature of the beer is
adjustable to suit the taste of the consumer.
Our close neighbour Australia also has some notable collections.
Come on Down Under: we'll make you welcome!
Michael.
Believe you me, that’s not a flippant statement – the Kiwi’s are a very hospitable race and really look after you. The scenery is quite stunning and you just have to be there to enjoy it all.
From Mark Jefford
Some of you may have seen this in the National Press and the reporters are in total disbelief that something so radically destructive can still take place…
Boz
An article entitled "Does the Pipe Organ have a Future?" regarding an EU directive effective from 1 July 2006 concerning Substances Hazardous to Health is available at http://www.pipes4organs.org/ from The Institute of Organ Builders. There is a single page Press Release available in pdf format summarising the issue at http://www.pipes4organs.org/PressRelease.pdf and a more detailed explanation on http://www.pipes4organs.org/intro.html. The campaign website is very new having been set up on 16 March 2006 with a online petition at http://www.pipes4organs.org/petition.html. Contact details for written petitions to political representatives are available http://www.iao.org.uk/news/all_articles_dy.asp. The main Politician involved in the UK seems to be Tony Baldry who has tabled an Early Day Motion as per text on http://www.epolitix.com/EN/MPWebsites/Tony+Baldry/63592686-1f54-488a-8b1b-3dd3c758d7b0.htm
I also came across this issue in an article in the Times this weekend (available online www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2091756,00.html) that gives another view in that the pipe materials are recycled not thrown away so the directive shouldn't affect the industry. I realise that a lot of Mechanical Organs have wooden or Brass pipes but when will the Zinc element of any Brass Pipes or Reeds be in a similar melting pot to that which Lead seems to be in now?
All the best
Mark
Here’s a letter to the respective people that if you feel that you want to do something good today, then paste it and send it to petition@pipes4organs.org and do please sign it. Your address might also be sensible to add as well.
To:
- Alan Johnson MP
Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
- Sue Macdonald
Director, Sustainable Development DTI
- Timo Makela
Director of DG Environment, EU
The traditional craft of pipe organ building is currently under threat from two EU Directives. The RoHS and WEEE Directives have the reasonable intention of limiting the dumping of electronic circuit boards and the like into landfill sites. However, pipe organs have become encompassed if they contain any form of electrical power, such as a simple motor to provide the air to blow the pipes. The problem arises due to the use of lead in the making of organ pipes. Lead is a necessary constituent of the pipe metal, contributing to the unique sound of the pipe organ.
Organ pipes present no threat to the environment: their life is measured in centuries, and the metal is never disposed of, always recycled. If nothing is done the making of pipe organs across Europe will become illegal on 1st July 2006 - the destruction of an entire and unique art form.
I / we urge the DTI and the EU Commission to modify the drafting of the Directive Regulations to prevent this unintended anomaly.
YOUR NAME
As a postscript to this, I remember that the organ, whether situated within a House of Prayer, a Cinema or Theatre, or the mobile version has always been a target for the uninitiated – If I remember rightly, the impressive church organ was heralded as a beast of the devil. All true and pure religions preaches love, then why on earth would the beautiful and magnificent church organ be allowed into a place of worship if it was so awful? With regard to Cinema/Theatre instruments, well some town planners have had their moments here and destroyed many unique instruments due to progress and of course the mechanical organ - the UK once being the centre of the mechanical organ building world until the mid 19th century, has been so maligned throughout its existence, being hounded by the press and its own kinsmen and leaves a lot to be desired.
A great benefactor of music in all of its forms was Henry VIII, one of the great rulers of my British Isles, and funnily enough, we still have a member of the Royal family owning at least one mechanical organ. I am sure that any directive to remove music, our heritage and our skills will be rejected outright if there is any common sense from our leaders throughout Europe.
Speaking recently to a well-known figure who has been instrumental in our heritage and who originally alerted me to this said, “I think that we all ought to give up and just go home if this actually happens”.
Steam Roller?
Forget your E-types, oil-baths and tigers, we have on the drawing board a brand new steam engine idea that is to be powered by the waste heat from the large-engined Rolls-Royce. The company, no stranger to innovation is working on using the heat generated by the vehicle and then normally cooled by the sizeable radiator are looking to use the heat to boil water, put into a superheater and then compress the steam into a turbine and use the power (torque) to help drive the car’s wheels. A second one will assist which I am guessing will be used on longer, constant journeys, as I would expect town journeys would just produce water and therefore reduce the engine’s efficiency. These two steam engines, developed by both Rolls-Royce and BMW Germany expect that this technology will reduce the fuel used and ultimately reduce harmful emissions into the atmosphere – not so silly as it may sound as this present administration in the UK has increased vehicle tax for transport of this calibre and it also appears 20% of RR’s sales are to California where Governor Schwarzenegger is introducing some of the world’s most stringent car-pollution regulations. All vehicles will have to meet this and RR is no exception. Previous attempts at steam propulsion in cars were by the Japanese and then previously by Sir Alec Issigonis with the famous Mini in the early 70’s. Two websites, the first being the official one http://www.rolls-royce.com/index_flash.jsp and this second one is a very in-depth website http://www.darkforce.com/royce/
Brunel 200 Portsmouth Historic Dockyard - this weekend
Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 April
Brunel200
Celebration of Steam
10am - 4.30pm
To commemorate the start of the official national celebrations of the BBC Great Briton Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard will be hosting a “Celebration of Steam”.
Home to HMS Warrior 1860, built with the technology of Brunel's era and The Block Mills, the world’s first complete steam powered factory with blockmaking machinery invented by Brunel’s father, Marc Brunel - Portsmouth Historic Dockyard will provide a fitting backdrop for displays of Traction Engines, Road Locomotives, Miniatures, Steam Boats, Steam fairground attractions and Model Railways. HMS Warrior 1860 will be brought to life be a skeleton crew at work and rest. A storyteller will present a sea story from the age of steam ships
The event will also comprise of four tours per day of the Block Mills.
Tickets: Adult: £8, Child/Senior: £6, Family (2 adults & up to 3 children): £25 - price includes entrance to HMS Warrior 1860 or FREE with a valid All-Inclusive attraction ticket.
If you wish to purchase tickets online directly from the dockyard then please click here
400 years of a Dutch Master
On July 15th 1606, Rembrandt Harmenzoon Van Rijn was born just 27 miles southwest of Amsterdam in the city of Leiden. Born the youngest son of miller Harmen Van Rijn in a narrow street known as Weedesteg – the building demolished in 1929 for the need to expand a nearby factory, the place is now host to a block of apartments. The great man is however remembered on the building by use of an historic plaque. Much of Rembrandt’s heritage does survive such as his school where all classes were spoken in Latin. Nearby in Langeburg Street is the terraced house where he spent three years studying art as an apprentice to the painter Jacob van Swanenburg.
In 1631, with his reputation growing upwards, he moved to Amsterdam and married Saskia Uylenburgh and came upon great wealth with his canvasses using contrasting light and shade to achieve impact – he was certainly an artist in demand. In 1639 he lived with his wife in Jodenbreestrat in an elegant 3-story Renaissance house costing some 50 times the average wage at the time. Amsterdam was a great international trading centre during the 17th century and it was a glamorous society that Rembrandt, the man who enjoyed the finer things in life, managed to fit into perfectly – maybe a bit too well as his partying, spending and extra-marital affairs offended the very people who sustained his affluence and as all things come to an end, so did his great wealth and Mr Bankruptcy was his next port of call. His wife Saskia died in 1642 and three of his children died. Rembrandt passed away on 4th October 1669 to be buried in an unmarked grave, however his is acknowledged as one of the grea-*test*-('") painters that ever lived.
WHERE TO GO
In Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum, he also shares his 400th birthday exhibition with the talented Italian Caravaggio, also a genius of 17th century art (baroque). Theatrically displayed under bursts of light in darkened galleries, the 33 paintings of classical and biblical scenes exude a raw emotion that keeps visitors transfixed. In the Rijksmuseum a further exhibition includes Rembrandt’s most celebrated painting The Nightwatch and outside in Rembrandt Plain amongst the hustle and bustle of everyday life, 22 life-sized illuminated bronze sculptures of the Nightwatch has been created. For further information go to www.rembrandt400.com for the whole event.
For Leiden www.rembrandt400-leiden.nl and for information on walking tours, houses and museums connected to Rembrandt contact the Netherlands Tourist Board (UK) 0207 539 7950 or www.holland.com
Addwaitya
The name, meaning in Bengali One and Only One was, according to West Bengal Forest Minister Jogesh Barman the oldest known living creature in the world (apart from flora). According to the Indian officials who looked after him, the Tortoise, originally found by British sailors had brought him and three others from the Seychelles and given then to General Robert Clive (of India) some 255 years ago. Historical records show that he lived on the sprawling estate before he was brought to the zoo 131 years ago and they believe that he was born in the year 1751 and verification with carbon dating will corroborate this. Aaddwaitya’s breed is found on Aldabra in the Seychelles with the males averaging 265lbs, however it is normal for the female of the species to be larger, suggesting that he was in fact a she. This now leaves the oldest creature on the planet being Harriet, a Galapagos tortoise discovered by Charles Darwin in 1835.
http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/03/23/india.tortoise.reut/ or this one http://www.sepiamutiny.com/sepia/archives/003196.html
The years around 1751
George II reigned in UK – his son Frederick died of a burst abdominal ulcer after being hit by a tennis ball in the stomach
Westminster Bridge newly opened to join the fast-growing areas of Westminster and Waterloo suffered from earthquake damage.
Samuel Whitbread’s new brewery had to move premises as the demand for its Black Porter Beer outstripped the brewery’s capabilities to produce enough.
Horace Walpole was robbed by highwaymen in Hyde Park and declared “one is forced to travel, even at noon, as if one is going into battle”
In response to this and other forms of debauchery, the prim and stifling Victorian era was being born some 50 years later.
Sea Bathing was fashionable and Benjamin Beale invented a bathing machine that was a hut on wheels that could be pulled in and out of the sea and give privacy to the occupant.
Parliament passed the Calendar Act that brought British dates into line with Europe. Until that time, we had the Julian Calendar invented by Julius Caesar in 45 BC The new law brought pro-*test*-('")s when it was put into practice the following year when September 2nd suddenly turned into September 13th the next day! People were scared that 11 days had been removed from their lives. (Interesting that a government would be willing to loose 11 days of tax).
Hogarth, the political cartoonist of the day, painted his famous Gin Lane depicting booze-sodden drunken people littering London’s streets with no care at all for human life.
Canaletto however painted his beautiful view of The Grand Walk at Vauxhall Gardens.
From Mark Jefford re MOOS AGM and contact weekend
I asked Mark for a small write-up on the MOOS AGM as I was unable to get there, to-which he kindly responded. Thanks Mark
A brief write-up viz:
The 2006 MOOS AGM was held on Sat 18 March near Yarm courtesy of Mr Richard Preston who made the 90 or so guests very welcome and proved an excellent host. After an excellent buffet lunch Rob Wichall began the AGM as vice chairman but having explained that John Glover had stepped down as chairman due to work commitments ended the meeting as chairman. The incumbents of the acting Editor and acting Archivist posts were also voted in but Peter Griffiths stepped down as the North & Scottish representative. Interest has already been shown in this position since the AGM and we hope the committee will be able to help further the interest in Mechanical Organs for another year. The MOOS November 2005 trip 'Giant of Westerlo' had been a success looking at many different and new locations and Peter Craig was planning, in conjunction with History in Harmony the November 2006 tour.
Events on Sun 19 March were to begin again at 10:30 near Rufforth and the 2007 MOOS AGM was announced to be on Sat 17 March at Amersham Fair Organ Museum. Richard and Anne Preston as well as Peter Hopps and crew were thanked for getting the ex- George Flynn organs together again before the formal proceedings were wound up and the music began to play once more. A more full and detailed account of the MOOS AGM will appear in the society’s magazine Vox Humana and for those wishing to come on the November tour, please contact MOOS for details www.moos.org.uk
Mark continues on to remind us…..
The Thursford Organ Day on 9 April this year will include Robert Wolfe playing the Wurlitzer as it falls within the school holiday period. Please support this event if you can as it will continue only while it is successful.
Have a most wonderful time wherever you are!!
Mark
Thanks for that Mark
FOPS AGM and Contact Weekend
The AGM for the FOPS weekend was at the truly stupendous 5* Flower of May Caravan Park http://www.flowerofmay.com/ just south of Scarborough. The Society was made very welcome by Graham Atkinson and team in his purpose built theatre of mechanical organs, steam locomotion and fairground architecture. If you are in the area, the holiday camp is on the top star rating and when you arrive there, you’ll see why. The evening was spent at St Nicholas Hotel where the old idea of the FOPS dinner has returned and a whole host of members and friends took part in an evening of conversation and enjoyment. The next day was at Major Bridge Park, just west of Holme-on-Spalding-Moor, where a great many more instruments were on display from many FOPS members, my favourite being the 98 Limonaire of the Baldry family – just such a nice crisp and French sound. The Park holds a number of shows and the next is the Steam Threshing and Vintage weekend on 27/29th May 2006. For more details, go to http://www.ray-cats.demon.co.uk/eng/$eng1.htm
Again, many thanks to the various hosts and to the Society for using our services once again. Further details of the AGM will be published in due course within the Key Frame, however you can always contact the society via the website www.fops.org
Lest We Forget
Only just received this from Peter Craig via Ruud Brienen
The Founder of the majestic Café des Orgues, Albert Ameloot has died. This venue at Herzeele in France just south of Dunkirk, has been a superb place to either end a tour on or maybe start one and the atmosphere here is truly electric where three original Th Mortier dance organs ranging from 1912 to 1939 still play. Possibly the last true working mechanical organ dance hall left, it is with sadness that I report this especially as we were made to feel so welcome on so many occasions and allowed to play the instruments and on one occasion, the British National Anthem being played and watching people dancing to it! I would hope to think that the place will continue as it has done for so many years with the rest of the family running it. Please check it out beforehand, however a write up in the MMD might help a bit http://mmd.foxtail.com/Archives/KWIC/C/cafe.html We send our heartfelt thoughts to the family and friends.
Thank you Peter for this
Just arrived in
I’ve just got a promotional through the post, which might interest some of you.
Group Visits to London’s Transport Museum. Even though the museum is closed, their reserve collection store in Acton, West London remains open for pre-booked guided tours. Should there be a group that wishes to go to this excellent collection of London’s transport, please contact me at tours@historyinharmony.com Their website is www.ltmuseum.co.uk
Just a bit for the Bridge People
Those of us who like bridges, a couple of websites
Just a couple of websites that might interest the bridge fraternity. Both sites are from the US. The first is from the West Coast and the other is from the East Coast of the United States.
http://home.comcast.net/~kenseq/bridges/tourpark.html and
http://www.nyc.gov/html/om/html/2001b/pr261-01.html
Tours and Excursions 2006
Following on from Linda’s letter of January, here is an updated of our tours for 2006. If you wish to receive further details, then please contact us History in Harmony PO Box 1829, Shrewton, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP3 4PN. Phone 01980 621418 or tours@historyinharmony.com
18th May 2006 Dordt in Stoom/KDV Arnhem Open Day A four night break to these famous venues in Holland. With a day pass to Dordt in Stoom, a visit to the Bakkersmolen Windmill, and a steam railway journey from Hoorn to Medemblick on the North Sea coast/ or the Kring van Draaiorgelvrienden open Day at Arnhem - this tour is a nice breeze in springtime. £325 half board.
2nd June 2006 Carousel Tour of Germany A 12 day scenic tour for lovers of carousels and wine around Northern, Eastern and Southern Germany as well as the French resort of Gerardmer visiting private collections, parks and museums. Price £1099 in a twin full board.
Mechanical Organ event in Berlin 29th June to 2nd July, flying from Stansted on Thursday afternoon this three-night tour stays in the Hotel Bolsche in the heart of the festival on a B&B basis. £299 inc flight/transfer.
12th July 2006 Mechanical Music in the Black Forest, France and Switzerland An 8 day tour to museums in the Black Forest, 200 years of I Bruder, the Music Festival at Les Gets in France and private collections in Switzerland with excursions to Lake Lucerne, Annecy and more. £675 in a twin plus rail or flight.
11th August 2006 Transylvania and the Pilgrimage of Maramures We are pleased to launch our first "Twinning Tour to Romania" to stay in rural guesthouses visiting “real farms!” This 9-day tour of Romania includes the colourful processions on the Pilgrimage from Maramures to Moisei. Price is subject to confirmation at time of booking. Circa £850 FB with flights.
30th August – 3rd September. Great Dorset Steam Fair Accommodation available at the Swan Inn for the duration of the show. Contact us as soon as possible for this one.
21st September 2006. Visit the Mechanical Musical event in Dijon. As with Berlin we are looking to make a three night break for any number (we’re going!) Using a reasonable cost flight and local accommodation we should be able to cost this tour at £299 including flight/transfer and accommodation.
7th October 2006 Steam and Railway in Slovakia A seven night tour to this central European Country visiting the Bratislava Transport Museum, the Depot of the Slovak Railway Company, the Slovak Agricultural Museum, with a trip on the Cierny Hron Railway, the Metallurgical Museum of the Podbrezova Ironworks, and the Mining Museum in Roznava, rafting on the Dunajec River, the Museum of the House of the Camera, trip on the Tatra Railway and funicular to the Cold Creek Waterfalls, ploughing engines and locomotives along the way. Circa £750 in a twin (subject to availability.
8th November 2006 Echtdampf Treffen Köln A four night trip to this model railway-engineering exhibition with optional excursions throughout the weekend. This trip would be by rail but with sufficient numbers we would happily but on a coach/mini bus tour from the UK. Price per person in a twin room £295 half board including entrances.
Date for your diary - The Mechanical Organ Owner’s Society Annual tour is set for the 11th – 14th November 2006.
11th January 2007 German Museum Tour. Staying in the historic castle town of Heidelberg, this tour is four nights by coach or air and centres on the Model Engineering Exhibition at Sinsheim, with excursions to other German Museums throughout the weekend. £295 per person B&B in a twin.
That’s it for the time being. As per usual, all of the websites have been -*test*-('")ed to see whether they work. As you will be aware now, all you have to do is double click onto the website and the hyperlink will take you through to your chosen destination.
Previous Updates? – then look no further
Go to forumer.com/" target="_blank">http://organ.10.forumer.com/ and click onto Boz’s Box.
If you have any interesting news, can you please supply me with it - all subjects are welcome to be discussed. If you feel that your subject isn’t being covered fully, then please let me know and/or please send in an article to cover it.
If you want to use the general material, please do, but please mention History in Harmony as the source and give the web address www.historyinharmony.com please contact me on article use to ask permission from author.
As ever, should you wish to not be included on this update, then please let me know at boz@historyinharmony.com and I’ll remove you forthwith from the address on my mailing list. Conversely, if you know of any other people who would enjoy this email, then please get them to contact me at the same address.
COURTESY NOTICE
Views expressed are not necessarily those of the Update Compiler. It may be on occasions, necessary to edit material. In such cases utmost care will be taken to ensure that alterations or omissions do not alter the context of the subject or create a misleading or false representation. As a matter of courtesy, the author(s) will be consulted about major alterations.
With kind wishes
Boz and Linda,
The email address for all correspondence is boz@historyinharmony.com For all tours tours@historyinharmony.com Website www.historyinharmony.com telephone +UK (0) 8700 113994
Published on iMOD with kind permission of Boz Oram.
