OrganFax Directory

Ashford (Kent) Keyboard and Organ Club

Telephone Number :  01233 631196   or   01233 630717

Email address :  ronald.sharp@ntlworld.com

Contact name :  Ron Sharp

Venue address : BRSA, Bowling Green, Beaver Road, Ashford, Kent, TN23 7RR

About Ashford (Kent) Keyboard and Organ Club

The Cllub was formed in 1983 by Frank Miller and has grown from strength to strength. He and his committees over the years created a friendly club giving a warm welcome to artistes, new members and visitors.

Until the end of October 2003 Frank and his wife, Olive, worked tirelessly for the club. Both were committee members and Frank held various offices on the committee including Membership Secretary, Treasurer and Chairman. They retired in 2003.  Frank  passed away in December 2004 and Olive died on 3rd September 2010.

Ashford was the Market Town of Kent set in the Garden of England and within easy reach of the White Cliffs of Dover and The Leas, Folkestone's rather elegant cliff top gardens. Since the development of the International Station and the Eurostar Trains, there is a strong Continental flavour to the town, with regular French Markets in the town centre. Ashford has a large McArthur Glen Designer Retail Shopping Outlet which comprises of around 80 shops.

 In 2007-2009 the Town Centre was re-designed.  A new large Shopping Mall has been added to the original one - quite an impressive addition - together with a new road layout giving a much updated appearance to the outer edges of the Town Centre while still retaining much of the old world charm in the centre near the church.

Within a short drive there are some of Kent's biggest tourist attractions - Leeds Castle, Dover, Deal, Walmer, Bodiam, Scotney and Sissinghurst Castles; Howletts and Port Lympne Zoo Parks and the historic City of Canterbury with its beautiful Cathedral.

Special items from past years

2008 saw the club's 25th Anniversary.

We took a party of 25 to Finchcocks Musical Museum at Goudhurst - a magical place where one could step back in time to see, hear and for some of us to play some very early keyboard Instruments. There were Harpsichords, Grand Pianos (such as Mozart would have played),Upright Pianos, Clavichords and Organs and similar keyboard instruments dating from the late 18th and the early 19th Century. A few photos of that occasion in our Photo Gallery

The Christmas Party had our 'Two Ronnies' dressing up, - playing and singing the classic ‘Sisters’ using the Tyros voice harmony to get high pitched sounds – at times they sounded like ‘Pinky and Perky’! It was hilarious. It is all on video and the 'Sisters' item has been made into a short movie which can be put on DVD etc.

 

Fund Raising Events for Charity 

We repeated our previous year's fund raising effort in the summer. In June 2011 our regulars were joined by one or two other players so that altogether seven of us played from 10.30am to 4pm on the Band Stand in the Town Centre. Here we raised quite a princely sum of just over £350 again for the local Pilgrims Hospice.

On December 22nd 2011 we were again in County Square where 5 of us took it in turns to play (in spite of the cold!) from 10.30am to 4pm. we raised £590 again for the local Pilgrim's Hospice. In spite of the recession, many people were very generous. We made more at this event than in the summer - it looks as though this really is the season of goodwill!

 

Looking back at 2011

We had a good mixture of Artistes again during the year. We must say a very sincere 'thank you' to Chris Stanbury who at very nearly the last moment stepped in to take Paul Carman's place when he had very painful a wisdom tooth problem which had to have immediate treatment.

We had over 50 members and friens in attendance at our Christmas Dinner, held at the Folkestone Bowls Club in November 2011. The regular four after dinner musicians were be joined by Len Southwood, a member who also plays at our fundraising events.

 

 

Photos from the Bandstand and County Square are in our Gallery.

 

We have to announce that there is an increase in the Annual Subscription to £10 this year, which was proposed by and unanimously voted for by the members at the A G M this year.

 

 The club usually meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm, doors open at 6.45pm with preamble at 7.00pm.

We are able to have Club Members Nights when there is a 5th Wednesday in the month.

 

Annual Subscription: £10.00

Members admission: £5.00  (concerts)

Visitors admission: £7.00 (Concerts). Visitors from other organ Clubs at members’ price with proof of membership.

Members Club Nights £2.00

 

Our Venue

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