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Heywood Guest
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Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 2:17 pm Post subject: Stuarts organ |
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As I mentioned in one of my previous articles it was Stuart Marti-Bowlers 31 keyless Miriki Dean fair organ that got me interested in fair organs. So I am told, Stuart found the organ rotting away in someone's garden, at the back of a field, so he asked if he could take it for restoration. When he got it home he left it in his garage to dry and he then got to work on moulding some new carved work, decorating the façade and figures. As far as I know, he made some new pipe work to go with the pipes that he had managed to restore. The instrument was then housed in a display trailer and was travelled by Stuart with his Can Can stall and roundabout. As the years went on, Stuart kept changing, redecorating and adding bits to his organ. He made 2 drummer figures to go with the 2 bell ringers and the bandmaster. The drummers he made out of papier-mache, 2 wood blocks, chicken wire, clay and an old dolls face (from which he made a rubber mould) and they took him about a year to make. He then made a top piece for the organ and he commissioned some brass twirling poles to go ether side of the figures. More recently he named the figures after the Dutch Royal family. He also decided to give the organ a louder volume so he fixed a CD player with two large speakers to go at the back of the organ so it would play music in time to the organ.
The organ was originally a book playing organ but Stuart wanted to have a rest from the Keyframe so he fixed the organ with a Midi System and all the 31 keyless books were sold. We unfortunately don't know when the organ was built, as it has many old and new parts in it. I have always admired the figures on the organ which are made of fibre glass apart from the drummers which Stuart made. The three centre figures are replicas of those on a 31 keyless Dean called “Red Dragon” which I would love to see. I have tried to get copies of these figures from Deans before but unfortunately they are no longer available. One of my fondest memories of the organ was when I was allowed to wash down the figures and fix the bells they hold, at May Day, as they were grimy with steam from the engines.
When Stuart died they played the organ at his funeral in the street .As Stuart had requested, the organ played Blaze Away as the hearse came up to the church steps.
The organ has now been sold to a scrap dealer in Stockport who is going to restore and redecorate the organ and fix it in a new display trailer. I am thrilled the organ has not gone down south and that the organ is going to be restored but we don't know yet whether the new owner will travel it.
I am thankful to Stuart and his special Dean organ and I hope that I will not lose contact with it in its new ownership. Long may it continue
LOOK OUT: this article is due to appear in the F.O.P.S magasine (The Keyframe soon) so look out for it in this years............................ |
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haywood Guest
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Dave Stubbs Site Admin
Joined: 19 Jun 2006 Posts: 174 Location: Manchester, UK (Tel: 0161 794 5558/ Mob: 07985 437940)
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Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 8:01 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Robert.
Very disappointed to see that advert on Ebay.
It certainly doesn't seem that the story the present owner 'spun' when he bought it has any truth at all!
It will be interesting to keep a watch on the progress of the sale before the expiry date (18th March).
I will be very surprised if they manage to sell it, as it is a 'specialist' item that will require a close inspection by any potential buyer.
Maybe they are just 'testing the water' to see what its value is?
Regards,
Dave |
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George Houghton Site Admin
Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Posts: 162 Location: Cheshire
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Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:16 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Robert.
Very sad to see the Organ on ebay so soon, it transpires that it was not an enthusiast that bought the Organ to keep on his premises but someone who thinks he may make a quick profit.
Maybe he will and maybe he wont it will be interesting to see what happens.
Dave could be right and they are trying to find out its value.
Regards.
George. _________________ Dont despair. (Moses was once a basket case) |
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George Houghton Site Admin
Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Posts: 162 Location: Cheshire
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Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2007 1:51 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Robert.
You will read on another topic on this Forum that I have purchased Stuarts Organ from ebay with the hope that we can keep it in this area in his memory.
It has such sentimental connections with the North West Group that I just could not let it go elsewhere.
You will be pleased to learn that you will still be able to see it out and about.
Regards
George. _________________ Dont despair. (Moses was once a basket case) |
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Rob Heywood Guest
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Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2007 8:44 pm Post subject: very very pleased!!! |
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hi George
I am very very pleased that you have saved the organ from going down south or somewhere. As people will know the organ is very special to the north west group and me as its the organ that got me intersted and its also the first organ I had ever seen. I shall look forward to seeing it again soon. Thankyou for purchasing it George and I know its got a good home!!! |
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George Houghton Site Admin
Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Posts: 162 Location: Cheshire
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Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 6:45 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Robert.
You will be pleased to know that Dave and I have collected Stuart's organ today.
We have given it a 'test run' and everything seems OK.
So we will have to try and arrange its new ownership debut...possibly at Mayday Steam?
Regards,
George _________________ Dont despair. (Moses was once a basket case) |
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Robert Guest
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Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 9:31 pm Post subject: pleased |
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That is wonderfull, I am thrilled that you have purchased the organ and that all seems to be well with it!!! Is the organ going to be housed in a new trailer as that trailers floor was a bit damp last time I saw it.???
Are the figures all right? Stuart always told me to remove the bells before traveling because it can break the figures hands off when on roughe journeys.??? I certainly think it should go to May Day and it would be nice since it could be the last May day but I would hope not!!!1 |
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nick marler Guest
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Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 11:31 pm Post subject: stuarts organ |
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Hi Everyone,
I have not been very active of late with all the pressures of work etc.But as I can see our chairman has bought the late chairmans organ which is wonderful and a fitting tribute to the memory of Stuart Marti-Bowler,many a happy hour will be spent by all our group members.
Over the years as you all will probably know I have taken film of various group rallies,and it transpires that footage of stuart in various guises was also included.So as to keep his memory alive I will be asking Dave Stubbs to copy all the bits I have of Stuart onto a DVD so as to preserve his memory for ever with the possibility of showing a snippet or two at meetings throughout the year.
Nick Marler |
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Dave Stubbs Site Admin
Joined: 19 Jun 2006 Posts: 174 Location: Manchester, UK (Tel: 0161 794 5558/ Mob: 07985 437940)
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Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 11:34 am Post subject: Video footage... |
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Hi Nick.
Thanks for that.
I look forward to receiving the video footage from you for DVD transfer.
It will be good to make a video of Stuart, as I don't really have any footage of him in my own video 'archive'.
Regards,
Dave |
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George Houghton Site Admin
Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Posts: 162 Location: Cheshire
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Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 2:29 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks Nick.
It will certainly be great to have some film footage of Stuart in the archives as a lasting tribute to his memory.
I think the nights we show it at the North West Group meetings will result in a Full House.
Regards
George. _________________ Dont despair. (Moses was once a basket case) |
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heyyywood Guest
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Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 4:11 pm Post subject: repeaT |
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That is wonderfull, I am thrilled that you have purchased the organ and that all seems to be well with it!!! Is the organ going to be housed in a new trailer as that trailers floor was a bit damp last time I saw it.???
Are the figures all right? Stuart always told me to remove the bells before traveling because it can break the figures hands off when on roughe journeys.??? I certainly think it should go to May Day and it would be nice since it could be the last May day but I would hope not!!!1 |
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George Houghton Site Admin
Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Posts: 162 Location: Cheshire
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Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 6:35 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Robert.
Dave checked that everything was OK and the Figures were dismantled before he Towed it away.
As far as we can tell after havng given it a blast on Monday everything is in good working order.
As regards the Trailer I have not decided yet what I am going to do with it, it doesnt seem in bad condition so I may just carry out a few repairs. There is no rush at this point in time .my priority was to save the Organ first and think about its future at a later stage.
Regards
George. _________________ Dont despair. (Moses was once a basket case)
Last edited by George Houghton on Wed Mar 21, 2007 8:10 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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George Houghton Site Admin
Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Posts: 162 Location: Cheshire
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Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 8:07 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Everyone.
Here is a picture of Stuart and the organ in happier times a few years ago when several organs were invited to play on Morecambe Promenade to entertain Visitors while at the Punch & Judy Annual Convention.
Regards
George _________________ Dont despair. (Moses was once a basket case) |
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user9 Guest
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Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 10:00 pm Post subject: Stuarts organ query |
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how is Stuarts organ coming along George, have you done anything with it yet?
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