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Organ Alley is on the move!!

 
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George Houghton
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Joined: 21 Jun 2006
Posts: 162
Location: Cheshire

PostPosted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 2:40 pm    Post subject: Organ Alley is on the move!! Reply with quote

ORGAN ALLEY IS ON THE MOVE!

MEETING WITH MARTIN OLIVER SECURES NEW SITE

Two weeks ago, I had an extremely cordial meeting with the show secretary, Martin Oliver, at the new Great Dorset Steam Fair offices at Child Okeford.

Those of you who were at last year’s show and joined in the Sunday evening entertainment (basically finishing off any alcohol left over from the show itself!) would have been aware that the subject under discussion was the future of ‘the Alley’.

Several organ owners voiced their concern that, in their opinion, the Alley was not getting its fair share of the public seeing our presentations to them. Several reasons for this were floated, and it boiled down to the idea that, although we had our own designated area, the hedge and the ‘Playpen’ ... along with other minor irritations.... were to blame.

The ‘playpen’ (the heavy haulage arena) was partly to blame because it was now necessary for people to walk past the end of the Alley to get to the other side and go right around the top of the steamer’s domain. By the time they ...the general Public.... had completed this tour, they had not the strength or interest to come to see us.

The hedge, on the other hand, was an effective (and to most purposes, impenetrable) barrier that prevented show-goers who, to be fair, could hear and partly see the Alley, from making the fifteen or so yards walk through the gaps to come and see us. It was a most effective frontier, past which most folk couldn’t be bothered to come.

There were, as I have already said, a few other items that were causing concern. In 2005, the steam camping area was so overcrowded, that the back row in the Alley was almost banana shaped, instead of being a (relatively!) straight line. We had also had a few grumbles about organs playing on into the evening from a couple of traders, and to be fair, I suppose that having had music playing to them all day, they wanted a bit of piece and quiet (which begs the question: what on earth were they doing at the GDSF then?)

I agreed to have a meeting with Martin Oliver, and this I have done. The results I set out below.

It was agreed that the Alley should move. Martin would not entertain the suggestion made by a few that we should return from whence we came i.e. to the side of the play-pen, in the dip behind the trade stands.

Martin suggested that we might like to take the space formerly occupied by the Miniature Steam, and in turn the M.S. would move to our site, thus keeping all steam together. For those of you unfamiliar with the site, our new home is to be at the top right hand corner of the MAIN SHOW AREA (NOT where the heavy Haulage is). We will be next To “’Ow twer done in Granfers Day” and looking out over the cycle and motorcycle tents. Basically, we will be on the diagonally opposite corner to Margaret Cooke.

Mains power will still be supplied for the two organs contained in the tent (I hope that Keith and Ken will still grace the tent with “Lucy” and the Mortier, eh fellas?), and the area will be floodlit at night.

The FOPS sales stand was to have been in the tent as well: I hear that their representative who was unwell is now recovering, so it will probably be where it usually is. Ian Rogers has promised that there will be some FOPS items for sale. Hopefully, MOOS will do the same.

The idea of a dance floor was put to Martin, who took to it straight away. He’s costing a 20” X 20” floor, and will work on the idea of one of the dance troupes giving demo dances several times a day.

I suggested that some form of refreshment might be a welcome idea, and he (Martin) will look into putting a ‘tea and sticky bun’ type trader close to us. I did, however, stipulate NO FISH AND CHIPS!

We are jointly working on a list of organs to put into the Alley. Several invitation letters have gone out.... one to the continent... but as yet no replies have been forthcoming.

Apart from one.

Goff Radcliffe, who attended GDSF for the very first time last year, has very kindly agreed that, weather and ground conditions permitting, he will bring his 89 key Marenghi up from opposite the model tent to perform the concert for us on the Thursday evening... which is, of course our “Party Night”. I would ask all those who attend this phenomenon to make a point of saying, “Thank You” to him. He’s doing us a BIG favour.

“Party Night”; who doesn’t know what this is all about?

Basically, after the public have gone home for their tea on the Thursday, a dedicated and highly organised professional team (oh, all right, Ray Bryant, James Dundon, Graham and Ashley Spencer and myself.... and anyone else we can grab) blitz the tent of rubbish, put up balloons, bunting, white table coverings and baskets of flowers. The idea is that those who come to the ‘do’.... and it is open to ANYONE...can bring their own food and drink, and listen to several different organs playing, including the guest instrument.

Last year, I was stitched up, and had to get dressed in drag to appear ‘on stage’ as Lilli Marlene. Oh dear! Least said, soonest mended. But you get the idea; we try to have a little entertainment.... albeit extremely home grown...and a good time.

So, the unasked question is: Which organs are coming?

And for the answer, I’m afraid you’ll just have to wait and see!

If anyone wants their organ to be considered for inclusion please contact me.

Any questions regarding Organ Alley should be directed to the moderator of this site, Dave Stubbs, who will pass them on to me. Answers will be made available to the site in general.



Alan Roberts (Steward), Organ Alley. March 2007.
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Roger
Bronze Member


Joined: 24 Aug 2006
Posts: 5
Location: Chingford E4

PostPosted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 10:23 am    Post subject: organ alley has moved Reply with quote

If you can post a site map of where Organ Alley is to be found
nearer the time it wont take so long to find it.
regards
roger
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Dave Stubbs
Site Admin


Joined: 19 Jun 2006
Posts: 174
Location: Manchester, UK (Tel: 0161 794 5558/ Mob: 07985 437940)

PostPosted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 12:51 pm    Post subject: OA... Reply with quote

Hi Roger.

Sorry, but due to budget cuts at the GDSF, Organ Alley has been cancelled this year - so don't try and find it!

Regards,

Dave Stubbs (Admin)
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