PICTURES FROM BERWICK ST JOHN RALLY 2006

Graham Spencer

Hi there
thought you might like to have a look at the organs that were attending this years Berwick St John rally, near Saftesbury in Dorset.

Few in numbers but the quality was there....hope you like them.

_________________
Graham Spencer
Royalmusic Recording Services

George Houghton · Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 11:08 am Post subject:

Some nice pictures Graham.
A couple of the organs unknown to me.

Thanks
George.

Graham Spencer · Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 11:05 pm Post subject:

Thanks George
The organs were as follows...
THE EX BEECH'S SWITCHBACK GAVIOLI 87 KEY, EX JEFF SHACKELL
THE A&R
72 KEY DUTCH STYLE STREET ORGAN BUILT BY CHRIS CHANDLER OF WHISTLING DIXIE FAME
MY 52 DE HARLEQUIN
DAVE CORBIN'S 105 KEY DECAP

Hope that helps you.

Graham
_________________
Graham Spencer
Royalmusic Recording Services

George Houghton · Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 12:59 pm Post subject:

Thanks Graham.
I know Chris Chandler well .
He was a pioneer in this country in building Computer operated Organs before Midi was established as the standard for computer music.
He worked with a fellow who was employed by Lucas aerospace & Peter Lock to develop an electronic operated system which could read the music books and play them electronically.
As far as I am aware he made 3 Organs the first one went to America,Whistling Dixie was next and then he built a Carl Frei type organ which I think is the one in your picture now fitted with a decorated front.
Which is the reason I did'nt recognise it.

Regards
George.
_________________
Dont despair. (Moses was once a basket case)

Ian Postlethwaite · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 9:13 pm Post subject:

Dave Corbin?

Is that any relation to Pam Corbin who also owns a 109 key Decap and Dean fair organ?
_________________
Ian P.

George Houghton · Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 12:06 pm Post subject:

Hi Ian.

Sorry I cant help with this one, But maybe if Graham reads this he will be able to help.

Is this the Organ that played at the Fair ground end of the old Organ Alley at the the GDSF ?

Regards
George.
_________________
Dont despair. (Moses was once a basket case)

Ian Postlethwaite · Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 10:38 pm Post subject:

Hi George,

I'm not sure if any of Pam Corbins organs were a part of the old Organ Alley, besides I can't remember the old organ Alley too well as I was quite young when it was at its old position.

here are some pictures of her organs to see if you recognise them:

This is "The Happy Wanderer" 54 keyless Dean organ, the lorry now has different paintwork...

and this is the 109 key Decap Dance Band organ "The Carnival Clown", which is one of only four built...

_________________
Ian P.

George Houghton · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:24 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the pics Ian.

I can't recall these organs being part of the old Organ Alley maybe someone else can enlighten us.

Did you visit Alan Roberts "Southern Counties"event last weekend.

How did it go and has anyone got any pictures.
I hope it was a success for Alan.

Regards
George.
_________________
Dont despair. (Moses was once a basket case)

Ian Postlethwaite · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:44 pm Post subject:

Hi George,

I went to the Southern Counties organ festival on the Saturday, at Exbury gardens, it was the first time I had been to it. I heard so much about the other events and how successful they were, so I was really looking forward to it.
The weather was ok, only a few showers, there were 10 organs in total:

69 keyless Dean "Charlotte Rose"
68 key Decap "Lucy"
109 key Decap "Carnival Clown"
92 key Leach "Lady Margaret"
55 key Leach "De Angelena"
Wilhelm Bruder model 79
42 keyless McCarthy "Irene"
48 keyless Gavioli style organ
a John Smith, with percussion, displyed in a SmartCar
30 key Pell "Mary Alice"

It was quite a nice selection, and some organs I hadn't seen before. I think on the whole the visitors to Exbury enjoyed the organs, but some had complaints about the noise. I'm sad to say I don't think there were any organ 'enthusiasts' there, well I didn't see or meet any anyway.

I have pictures on my website: http://www.freewebs.com/mechanicalorgangallery/southerncounties2007.htm

and a few video clips on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/ioq1
_________________
Ian P.

George Houghton · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 11:52 am Post subject:

Thanks once again Ian for the great pics and of course the U tube clips.

Glad to hear that the event went OK .

There seems to have been a nice selection of Organs.

Alan Roberts is to be congratulated for his organisation
as are the Organ owners who made the effort to attend.

I know only too well the hard work that goes in to running this type of event, and they are getting fewer and fewer as the years go by.

It is a pity that some enthusiasts dont seem to realise that if they don't support these events the day will fast approach when there will be no where to go to see and hear Organs.

Regards
George.
_________________
Dont despair. (Moses was once a basket case)