OrganFax News

Burtey Fen Concerts Resume with Jean Martyn

Monday 13th October

The Burtey Fen Collection at 3 Burtey Fen Lane, Pinchbeck, Spalding, Lincolnshire, PE11 3SR, is home to two fabulous theatre organs, a 3/12 Compton and a 2/10 Wurlitzer.  Both are in tip top condition and sound wonderful.

For the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, there is to be a Christmas Concert, their first professional concert since the lockdowns, featuring the one and only Jean Martyn, at 2.30pm on Sunday 30th November 2025.

Tickets are just £12 including tea, coffee and mince pies.  Prior booking is essential, there will not be any tickets available on the door, so secure your seats now by calling 01775 766 081 or emailing burteyfen@yahoo.co.uk

Henley Concert Season Announced

Monday 6th October

There are wonderful Sunday afternoon concerts on the Allen Digital theatre organ at Henley Town Hall, Market Place, Henley-On-Thames, RG9 2AQ at 3pm on these dates:

19th October 2025 - Gordon Cree

16th November 2025 - Elizabeth Harrison

14th December 2025 - Andy Quin

11th January 2026 - Phil Kelsall MBE

8th February 2026 - Michael Wooldridge

8th March 2026 - Chris Stanbury

12th April 2026 - Tom Horton

Admission is just £10 in cash on the door

For more details call David on 0118 972 4988 or visit their website at www.henleyorgantrust.org.uk (opens in new tab)

Enjoy Watching the Young Theatre Organist of the Year Competition Online

Wednesday 17th September

THe Wurlitzer Heritage Trust (WHT) held this year's Young Theatre Organist of the Year Competition on the fabulous Wurlitzer at The Musical Museum (MM) in Brentford.  You can enjoy watching the whole event here:

Video of YTOY 2025 (opens in new tab)

For more information about the competition and other events visit The Wurlitzer Heritage Trust (opens in new tab)

For more information about the museum and their events visit The Musical Museum  (opens in new tab)

If you know any young players who may like to enter next year, drop an email to event organiser Michael Wooldridge - michael@wokingwurlitzer.co.uk

Rod Pooley Music Is Thriving

Wednesday 17th September

On September 17th 2025 Rod Pooley Music terminated, by mutual consent, their dealership with Böhm of Germany.  Rod’s music shop at 14, Westgate Grantham NG31 6LT is really thriving and has many, many agencies including instruments and accessories from Korg, Nord, Casio, D’Addario, Strings n Things, Vandoren, Hagstrom and Shergold Guitars, Hidersine Violins to name just a few.

They now have a brand new online store where you can purchase all of their numerous products online as well as in their store.  Please visit www.rodpooleymusic.co.uk (opens in new tab)

Oscar Battle is the Young Theatre Organist of the Year 2025

Tuesday 12th August

The Wurlitzer Heritage Trust staged this year's UK Young Theatre Organist of the Year Competition at the Musical Museum in Brentford on Sunday 3rd August.

Everyone agreed that the standard of playing from the young entrants was very high this year, often showing maturity far greater than their years.

The three judges, all distinguished theatre organists, David Ivory (Chairman), Byron Jones BEM and Andy Quin, took quite a while in deliberation but, in the end, made the unanimous decision that this year's winner is 15 year old Oscar Battle from Norwich.

Since winning, Oscar has already featured in a concert with Michael Wooldridge and been featured in a lovely feature on BBC TV's Look East and in a lovely feature, which you can enjoy at: BBC Article BBC Article (opens in new tab)

Oscar has already secured bookings to appear in concerts at the Woking Wurlitzer, the Rye Wurlitzer, the Worthing Wurlitzer and the Studio Standaart, with many more to come for this wonderful but modest young man.

Congratulations Oscar!

Bournemouth Summer and Autumn Concerts Dates Announced

Monday 28th July

The superb Compton theatre pipe organ at the wonderful Pavilion Theatre in Westover Road, Bournemouth, BH1 2BU, is once again to be featured in a series of lunchtime and special concerts this autumn.

• Thursday 31 July: David Ivory - Compton Organ

• Tuesday 5 August: Mark Speight - Compton Organ

• Thursday 28 August: Declan Poole - Compton Organ

• Thursday 4 September: Michael Wooldridge – Compton Organ & Steinway Piano

• Thursday 11 September: Chris Powell – Compton Organ

• Tuesday 23 September: Byron Jones BEM – Compton Organ and Steinway Piano

• Thursday 2 October: Andy Quin – Compton Organ & Steinway Piano

• Thursday 9 October: Cameron Lloyd – Compton Organ

• Tuesday 4 November: Aaron Hawthorne – Compton Organ & Steinway Piano

Doors open at 12.30pm, concerts start at 1pm and last one hour. Concerts are subject to change/cancellation.

Special events:

• Tuesday 4 November, 8pm: Aaron Hawthorne will be conducting a live score to the 1925 silent film The Phantom of the Opera! Tickets from £10 - £12 (fees apply).  https://www.bournemouthpavilion.co.uk/events/phantom-of-the-opera-2025

• Thursday 18 December, 2:30pm: Join us for a special Christmas Cracker Concert featuring music from Michael Wooldridge and Ian Carter and the choir from the Bournemouth and Boscombe Light Opera Company. This event is free entry.

It is a joy to just to be in this magnificent venue, and with the fabulous organ as well, it is a not to be missed treat, so do try to attend at least one concert during the season, and hopefully many more.

Admission is just £5 each – tickets at the door - cash only

Doors open at 12.30pm and Concerts start at 1pm and last a good hour

Concerts are subject to change/cancellation

Find us on Facebook - The Compton Organ - Bournemouth Pavilion

Information 01202-055660