News

 

Due to the current postponement on all forms of live entertainment, concerts, and events following government advice due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there seemed to be a distinct lacking activity in the Theatre Organ World. Our very own Alec Walters decided to take on the task himself to keep the sounds of the Theatre Organ rolling around the room, however distinctly different by allowing supporters to tune in from the safety and comfort of their own homes...

 

Last Saturday, and this evening Alec treats viewers to his very own 'Saturday Night Concert With Alec Walters At The Wurlitzer".  Using his own VTPO set up in his garage at home, Alec played for one-hour concerts from between 19:00-20:00 live on Facebook, for anybody to tune in and enjoy. Alec's VTPO was made by himself and features a sample set of the Blackpool Tower Ballroom's Mighty Wurlitzer, sampled by Reg Rawlings. 

 

Alec's programme this evening opened with 'Oh! I Do like to be beside the Seaside!' and featured a wide range of requests from friends and supporters such as 'Mack the Knife', 'Twelfth Street Rag', and 'When you're smiling' to name a few. The music was very diverse and included a little bit of something for anyone and everyone to enjoy.

 

People tuned in from far and wide to listen to the theatre organ sound 'Live' - something which audiences, unfortunately, cannot do at this uncertain time. 

 

Well done Alec!

 

His next broadcast will be at 19:00 on Saturday 4th April, where he will entertain with a 'Blackpool Ballroom' section of music. To tune in - follow the link on our Facebook page which shalll be available from 18:30 on Saturday.

 

 

Owing to the current situation we find ourselves in, and sticking to government guidelines please note that our meetings at The Barn at The Grange in Hazel Slade, Cannock, have been CANCELLED until further notice.

 

As the safety and wellbeing of our audience, volunteers and supporters are our utmost priority, combined with the fact we share grounds with a nursing and residential home, we have taken this decision with Immediate Effect.

 

Our Thursday Tea Dance at Bilston Town Hall will also be cancelled until further notice.

 

 

Good Evening Folks!

Just a quick reminder about our first events in the Empress Ballroom, Blackpool in the New Year!

We will be presenting TWO separate events on the 28th January 2020, BOTH on the Empress Ballroom Wurlitzer! Both events have separate Facebook pages, with separate links to tickets online!

 

Included in the recent refurbishment of Bilston Town Hall, was a little bit of 'TLC' for the much used Dance Floor!

The floor has been repaired, sanded, and completely re-varnished so it now looks as good as new!

Our dancers at our Weekly Tea Dance can now dance the afternoon away to the sounds of our 2/5 Compton Theatre Organ on a lovely floor!

 

 

 

 

Tickets will be available from here!

It is with sadness that it was confirmed today that the 4/57 Compton Concert organ which was originally installed and still housed in the Wolverhampton Civic Hall has been scrapped. 

Due to "possible asbestos contamination" of the organ, the largest of its kind built by John Compton company has already been scrapped as contaminated waste. 

 

Steve Tovey worked tirelessly in his time as Wolverhampton City Organist, to keep this organ in playing condition for all to enjoy. The organ saw numerous restorations and improvements under his watchful eye, thus making it one of the finest example of Compton’s work right until the end. 

 

We would like to thank everyone that has supported us and this instrument for the past decades, and to everyone who has fought to attempt to continue Steve’s work, in keeping this instrument in the public eye.

 

 

Congratulations to our teams very own Cameron Lloyd on being elected Theatre Organ Club (TOC) Patron for 2018.

We had the absolute pleasure of playing the 1937 Compton Cinema organ installed in the Pallot Steam and Motor Museum. Jersey for their Steam Threshing and Motor Fair!
This was the organs first public appearance in over 15 years - and the visitors loved it!

This concluded 4 days of Cameron Lloyd and Edd Hordley working on the organ, bringing it back to playing condition ready for the event. It was even briefly broadcast live on the radio!

In a few weeks time the team will pull together once again to finish the removal of another theatre organ. The Ex. Regal Chesterfield Compton has been owned by a member of our club now for over a year, but due to personal commitments of the owner it has remained in situ.

Now a date has been arranged for around 8 members of the club to finish the removal of this instrument. This includes the chests, winding, relays, bass pipes, and the Console, which needs to be lowered down off the side of the balcony! (Which we are hoping to Live-Stream on Facebook)

It brings us deep sadness and a profound sense of loss to announce the passing of Cannock Chase Organ Club President, and Wolverhampton City Organist, Steve Tovey.

Steve has been a huge driving force in the theatre organ scene here in the UK for some 50 years, and we owe him a great debt for many of the installations we now enjoy in the UK.

He will be sorely missed by all of us here at Cannock Chase Organ Club, for his outspoken-ness, witty sense of humour and his relentless... enthusiam and drive to keep the theatre organ in the public eye