Organ Update 8
UPDATE Compiled by Boz Oram
boz@historyinharmony.com
www.historyinharmony.com
Firstly, welcome to 2005 - Linda and I wish you all the very best for the year and we wish that your hopes and dreams get well on the way to fruition.
I'd also like to thank you for your feedback and your personal greetings for Christmas and the New Year, which we thank you.
I must admit that I took an enjoyable rest from everything – hence the reason for being a bit behind with this update. I would like to welcome the new members of this update and hope that it keeps you amused and informed. If you can contribute anything to the update, then please do get in touch with me at boz.oram@andover52.fsnet.co.uk Some of the previous updates have constant information, so in due course, that will be transferred onto our website www.historyinharmony.com so that this email doesn’t become to top heavy and therefore difficult to read. You will see a couple of write-ups and in this and in the next edition, places where to get elusive bits and pieces. If you would add to it, I would be grateful and as I said the end result will be posted on the website and updates accordingly.
I will be going to Germany with a tour for this week and into next week, however, this machine will be still able to take your views and contributions while I’m away, so please feel free to write.
Index
The update and its uses. Preston Steam Services Open Week-end North Newington Gavioli Gathering Fowler Renown History in Harmony S S Shieldhall History in Harmony MOOS AGM Romania Road Run from Warminster to Gillingham in Dorset For sale Letters Latest News
The Update and its uses.
A similar theme has come through the nano waves, which is whether you can post your wares upon this email. The answer is yes with and at this moment no charge. I will not put images into this email, as I don't want to annoy people by posting an enormous file down the line that takes ages to download. If you sell nuts and bolts or build something that is difficult to get hold of or even something out of the ordinary then please write in - the whole point of this email is to bring people and their interests together. The world is becoming a smaller place and we can talk to people anywhere in the world at the touch of a button and few people are taking advantage of this phenomenon.
Just a small resume and your email address and if you have one, a web site and it doesn't matter which country you are from as this is for world sharing. This also involves museums and places of interest, so all of you just send me your information and if you know of any other people or businesses that are useful, pass them on. Either your email address or of course if you have a website, then that as well.
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From the industry Liaison Officer of the Mechanical Organ Owners Society - Peter Craig
Preston Steam Services Open Weekend
"A superb open weekend was held at the premises of Preston Steam Services on 1st/2nd January 2005.
Star attraction was the 112 key Mortier no.1076, put back in full playing condition for the first time in around 30 years, little more than 24 hours before the start of the event! Full credit must go to the restorer, David Burville, for this magnificent achievement. While still awaiting the addition of the facade and with a few other odds and ends to be tidied up, the instrument was truly stunning and raised the hairs on quite a few necks.
Built in 1938 for a Belgian dance organ rental business, it eventually ended up in the Miller collection in Bristol, before being purchased by the List-Brain family some years ago, its condition rendering it virtually unplayable. The fascination of the organ, as David explained, was that it was virtually unaltered since construction - something most unusual in this day and age. With its characteristic flageolet register allocated to a separate third melody, it certainly sounded like something from another age.
Also to be enjoyed were the DuWyn dance organ and fairground organs by Bruder and Verbeeck (both of these also being David Burville restoration projects).
Traction and stationary engines were also present in abundance with wood sawing demonstrations being in progress throughout the event.
Within the wonderful farmyard setting, the whole event was both a great spectacle and a musical delight. Don't miss the next one!"
As an afterthought from me - the collection at Preston is set in the Kent countryside and has a very picturesque setting where originally hops to make beer and of course the drying houses are all part of the scenery. Michael List Brain, his wife and family have opened up their premises for special open days, this one in the winter and if I remember rightly another in the summer. Michael also imports all manner of ancient artefacts including steam traction engines from all over the Globe and some of the "Rarely Seen Engines" in this country have passed through his hands to delighted preservationists. Much of the collection is available for purchase and I know that favourable terms can be arranged. For further details please contact www.prestonservices.co.uk
David Burville can also be contacted at this address, and for those who don't know, David served his apprentice firstly with a firm of Church Organ builders and then finished off his period of learning at the international firm of Verbeeck in Belgium to return back to this country and start his own business. Excellent credentials.
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The North Newington Gavioli Gathering
What a beautiful day - sun shining and a hint of a breeze to clear the cobwebs out for the 2nd January. My journey up to North Newington, just west of Banbury was pretty uneventful until I got to Banbury itself. Just one signpost to show me where to go and then nothing else! Fortunately, the villages around are quite beautiful with all of that Cotswold Stone, so it was really a wonderful detour. A sign said “Gavioli” and there, there were the four Gavioli organs situated in the car park of the social club. I arrived when Brian and Christine Wells's repatriated (wrong country, but you know what I mean) USA instrument, was playing to be followed closely by Kevin Gamlin's instrument - once owned by the Tussauds collection and saved from destitution by Dave Smith, it is now travelled around the country for all to see and hear. Kevin was to be congratulated on getting there especially as he had to come up from Bristol, but also that he had clutch problems with the vehicle that transports the organ
A favourite of mine is Jeff Shackell's instrument. When I first heard it on the BBC, I was surprised that they used it, however Jeff has it now and has spent a considerable amount of time rebuilding, learning about the reasons for having such an instrument and most likely wondering why as well! Possibly it is one of the most tonally original instruments of its type and it somehow conjures up the image of the turn of the last century with oil lamps and naphtha flares.
Finally, the instrument from Dan Shorey that was saved from certain destruction some three decades ago by him from a seaside venue. The organ was actually just out of the sea and in a none too good trailer which did little to protect it from the elements. I was told how the case of the organ had to be rebuilt before any work could be done to the rest of the organ, as it would have collapsed - such was the state of it when bought. Now you wouldn't even know that it had gone through such a traumatic time as it looks and sounds as though it has just come out of the manufacturers workshop in Paris.
Cleverly, inside the clubhouse was a place to warm up and there was a bar selling wines and beers. Also within the bar area was Bob West's Raffin 31 note hand turned organ. Perfect for the job and a good selection of music to boot. Brian Steptoe was also there with a stand proving those late Christmas Presents!
Well done to all involved in sorting out the venue, getting the organs there, advertising it and putting on such a good spread for all of us.
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Brian Steptoe's Latest Book
Brian has a new book soon to be published about the Fowler Showman’s' Engine Renown, most recently brought to public prominence by the dreadful fire that took place at Ian Howard's premises in Derbyshire and almost completely destroyed the engine. Followers of this genre of preservation will remember the same engine being driven onto the showsite at the Great Dorset Steam Fair (2004) within a year of that terrible tragedy to a rapturous applause from everyone. Well done to Gary and Ian, plus their families and friends, but also to Brian for sharing it with us. Brian I am sure will furnish me with details of how to get a copy of this book shortly.
History in Harmony.
For those of you who are waiting for information on the Waldkirch 5 day tour by air, Linda should have the cost and flights available upon her return from Germany. In these uncertain times, we have been waiting for our Air Carrier, who is negotiating with various budget airlines to bring their services under their ATOL banner. This will ensure that we can then buy flights at the best possible price, but with all of the safety and financial protection and of course the co-operation that we will then enjoy under the CAA regulations. As you can imagine, with all of the past problems with budget flight, this has not been an easy task.
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History in Harmony is also pleased to announce their ATOL (Air Tour Operators Licence) is now in operation which means that they can legally split contracts. In other words, you the end user gets the saving on your holiday! Finally things in the Travel World are moving.
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From Graham Mackenzie Managing Director, Solent Steam Packet (Services) Ltd. Website at www.ss-shieldhall.co.uk
The United Kingdom’s Largest Operational Preserved Passenger/Cargo Steamship
Located at 48 Berth, Southampton Eastern Docks, entrance via Dock Gate 4
PROVISIONAL Excursion Programme for 2005. (Early part of the Year)
The SS Shieldhall's Golden Jubilee year.
Saturday
30th
11:00
Shakedown cruise in the Solent area. Join the crew as they participate in various exercises, as “Shieldhall” prepares for her Golden Anniversary year.
16:00
£19:50
June
Saturday 11th
10:30
Re-dedication ceremony for “Shieldhall’s” 50th birthday including celebration cruise and lunch
15:30
£40:00
Sunday 26th
10:00
View the various ships as they assemble off Spithead for the Fleet Review.
16:00
£23:50
Monday 27th
09:30
View the ships in the Fleet Review preparing for the Fleet Review off Spithead. SOLD OUT
15:30
£25:00
Tuesday 28th
19:00
View the Fleet Illuminations off Spithead. Our resident Jazz Band will entertain you. Supper also included. A few places left
23:59
£30:00
For further details, please contact either us at History in Harmony on tours@historyinharmony.com or via Graham.
Thank you for that Graham. The programme is also on their website so please have a visit. Update later on for further sailings.
From John Glover – Chairman of the Mechanical Organ Owner’s Society
Organs hoped to be attending the Mechanical Organ Owners Society AGM at North Newington are:
Brian Wells 89 key Gavioli
Jeff Shackell 87 key Gavioli
Len Crane 48 key Gavioli-Chiappa
Robert Wichall Marenghi
Bob West 31 Raffin
There are two other of the larger instruments that depending upon commitments may also attend.
Organs start to play hopefully from 11am and finish approx. 4pm Date 12th March and the day is Saturday.
AGM starts 1pm
All The Best, John
After speaking with John over the Christmas period, his wish is that all different walks of the preservation movement join in on the day’s proceedings. His thoughts are similar to mine where we need to join forces against all sorts of legal and pointless moves against the preservation world and this seems to be a great venue, especially as there is ample parking, food and an excellent bar that serves a fine few brews of beer. It will also be your opportunity to also discuss wide ranging issues that might affect you and of course meet like minded people who are open to having a chat and making new friends.
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Romania
From Lenuta Chirita – Technical Director Iasi Museum of Culture, Technical and Music Museum – Romania
I asked Mrs Chirita if we could have some information as to how to access the Musical Museum in Iasi – she has done that but also something else that I’ll pass on to you shortly.
“Thank for your message. We have three website addresses, with the first being only in the Romanian language.”
www.palatulculturii.home.ro
www.etc.tuiasi.ro/old/Technical%20Museum/intro.htm
http://home.dntis.ro/~palatis/uk/index.htm
Best wishes, Lenuta Chirita
More about Romania and this fantastic, fascinating country and collections in a future edition.
From Nick Baker in Gillingham.
Thanks for yesterday Nick and for giving me this to pass onto other people
“The last Sunday in February, the 27th there is the annual commercial road transport road run from Warminster (Wiltshire) to Gillingham where the vehicles congregate in the nearby station yard.”
From recollection, there are well in excess of 100 vehicles. Nick also opens up his own yard and shows off some of his collection, including mechanical organs, steam engines and plenty of other bits and pieces to keep the taste buds going. Everyone is welcome and there are nibbles and drinks on offer. The vehicles arrive in Gillingham from 10 am and travel over the Deverills so goodness only knows what time they start from Warminster!
Also from Nick.
He has for sale the Marenghi Fairground Organ “Lady Hamilton” an 89 key VB (violin/baritone) instrument that has been seen for the last few years at the Great Dorset Steam Fair near to Art’s Cider Shack. Previously owned by Chris Edmonds who had the London company Chiappa, to do a rebuild, to then be sold onto Lord Montagu where it went in as part of the Motor Car Museum to be joined with the Burrell Show engine “Lord Nelson”. For further details: nick@pobaker.co.uk
From Bernie Brown who rebuilds all forms of organs, harmoniums and anything else that involves pressure, wire, leather and steam.
Hiya Boz
Just checked my e mails and was delighted to see your notice board for keeping everyone in touch with the organ world. Keep up the good work (thanks for that Bernie)
I am now playing at the Curzon cinema in Clevedon on a three manual Compton Melotone deluxe {a fifty year old electric organ } they are installing a nine rank Christie pipe organ complete with lift so watch this space. I have begun work on our Aeolian pipe organ but it’s going to be a long job. Have finished our Hupfeld cafe piano and am now restoring the xylophone to add to it. So far I'm flat out and busy as usual, Bye for now see you soon I hope.
Bernie and Anne
Fantastic to hear of the restorations and look forward to seeing you in the not too distant future.
Finally
Something that has come to my attention (for the UK) is that a proposal from the Government is saying that any show or opening to the General Public that has in excess of 6,000 people, will be taxed on a sliding scale to cover the costs of policing, ambulance etc. Now knowing that all shows pay towards the costs of police etc, then is this to take the place of personal payment from a show and be more efficient or is it just another tax to pay for other administrative messes elsewhere? Comments please and do similar things happen in other countries. Certainly, I have heard of one show ceasing after 35 years but I don't think that this diktat would have been the cause. However if it is another stealth tax, then I can see plenty of other shows in the future just finishing or putting a sign up saying "only the first 5,999 will be admitted to this show" Working on the assumption that this includes all public places, then shopping malls, supermarkets and all manner of commercial enterprise such as Garden Centres, fuel stations and anywhere where the Public are admitted, will also come under this bizarre ruling! I wait with baited breath to find out the next instalment.
That’s it so far – please could you supply me with any information as this email is as much yours as mine to enjoy and is going to many different countries of the world – if you want to be anonymous, that’s fine - all subjects are welcome to be discussed. If you want to use any of this material, please do, but please mention History in Harmony as the source and give the web address www.historyinharmony.com
As ever, should you wish to not be included on this update, then please let me know at boz.oram@andover52.fsnet.co.uk and I’ll remove you forthwith. Conversely, if you know of any other people who would benefit or 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 editor and dates for events need to be checked beforehand. It may also be on occasions necessary to edit material. In such cases utmost care will be taken to ensure that alterations or ommissions 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 Oram boz.oram@andover52.fsnet.co.uk tel +UK (0)8700 113994 www.historyinharmony.com
Published on iMOD with kind permission of Boz Oram.
