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Cinema Organ Society - Midlands and Wales District

Telephone Number :  01564 794 778

Email address :  gordonwhitehouse@btinternet.com

Website :  www.cinema-organs.org.uk/midlands-and-wales-district/

Contact name :  Gordon Whitehouse

Venue address : Fentham Hall, Marsh Lane, Hampton in Arden, B92 0AH

About Cinema Organ Society - Midlands and Wales District

We are the custodians of the Compton organ (numbered A320) which was originally installed in the Tower Cinema, West Bromwich. The organ was sold in 1965 to a private buyer who installed it in his home, but he unfortunately died suddenly. His widow sold the organ to the COS in 1967 and it was re-installed at Marston Green Hospital and regular concerts were held.

These concerts continued until 1985 when it was decided the space was needed for a health centre, so the organ had to go.

In 1989 an agreement was signed with the Governors of St Martin's School, Solihull and in 1992 and the Compton was removed from the hospital and installed in the school.  Once again, space being an expensive commodity and the school governors reluctantly announced that they could no longer accommodate the organ and so in 2002 it had to be removed. 

The search for a venue with long-term commitment ended with the signing of an agreement in January 2002 with the George Fentham Trust.

The organ is now installed in Fentham Hall, which provides ideal acoustics and comfortable accommodation for both the organ and the audiences.  It is set in the relaxed and delightful surroundings of Hampton-in-Arden, only a few miles from Solihull and also has easy access and ample parking.

The hall is now actively used for a wide variety of functions and is foremost in the social and leisure activities of the local community.

Our concerts start at 2.30pm

Admission: £9 members / £10 non-members