Astle Park 2006

[Dave Stubbs]

This years Astle Park rally took place on the 12th and 13th of August 2006.

Last year, the Saturday was a wash out, with rain until late afternoon:

...Flash-back to 2005

The 2006 event saw much better weather, with the Saturday being very well attended.

A good selection of organs were in attendance:

Alan Couldwells Marenghi, "The Rose"

Whites "Mammoth" Gavioli

Our old friend Frank Heaton's Bruder

Frank Heaton...Hi Frank!

Malcolm Reeder's Gavioli

Priestner's Marenghi "Lady Hamilton"

Woodward's Verbeeck

Jim Cheetham's vintage Barrel Gavioli

The Gavioli in Frank Lythgoe's Gallopers

...And a rare appearance of Frank Lythgoe's Marenghi
This was the first time this organ had been out for six years. It sounded very well considering it had been in storage for so long.

I have made a separate posting with some more pictures of this organ in the 'Organ Photo Gallery'.

The Steamers were well represented, with a few shown below:

A Foden Steam Wagon Bus
I had a ride in one of these at the GDSF last year and the best description of the experience I can think of was like taking a ride on a brick with wheels!

The monster of steamers: A Fowler steam ploughing engine

A Morriss Steam Car

Making our way to the Arena

Steamers line up in the Arena

Some of the Fairground were:

Frank Lythgoe's Gallopers

Guest's Chair-o-Planes

Allan Guest waiting for the Santa Fe Express!

The evening at Astle always attracts a large audience:

The high spot of the evening is the spectacular fireworks show:

White's looks positively dwarfed by the spectacle!

Overall a great event definately worth a visit.

Regards, Dave (Admin)

[Edward Nickson]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

I can't believe I did'dnt go, Frank Lythgoes Marenghi can this day get any worse!

This is one of the organs I want to see before I die, It looks to me as if the bandmaster has been re-painted and a bit of the front as well could this mean a return of this great Marenghi and the other one as well!!! if so it is sure to have a huge welcome back on our rally fields,

was Frank there or was it someone else?

Thanks,
Eddy.

[Dave Stubbs]

Hi Eddy.

Wow, you were quick to respond to my post..I am still in the process of editing it-although if its an epic like this one, I submit from time to time, to make sure that I don't lose it during editing.

I will post some more pic's of Frank Lythgoe's Organ in the 'Organs' Photo Gallery any time now...In fact I will do it now...Check it in about half an hour (about 4PM)!

Frank was there, but the organ was being operated by Sid Reeves.


Best regards, Dave

[Allan Guest]

Hi there Dave,
Yep saw you there on saturday. The Marenghi was a bit ropey on saturday and was missing quite a few notes, and after a problem on saturday night arising the organ was turned off!!

However as if by magic the next day Sid got up early and the organ was transformed. It didn't miss a single note and I should know cos it was right behind me and I heard EVERY single tune! It did generate alot of interest!!

All the organs were playing good that weekend. I have just got in, today was a wash out because of the rain, had to take down the rides in it too and shunt the loads in the yard in the rain. Never mind!!!