OrganFax News

New Theatre Organ Heritage And Restoration Centre.

Posted: Monday 10th January

The Penistone Cinema Organ Trust is currently working on a new project to install the former Astoria, Purley, Compton organ in it's own premises. The premises will be the first dedicated Theatre Organ Heritage and Restoration centre.

Based on the outskirts of Barnsley only 1 mile or so from M1 junctions 37 and 38 the venture will provide an auditorium, containing the Compton, together with displays and items related to the history of the Cinema Organ in the UK. The centre will be unique in providing dedicated workshop facilities for Cinema Organ restoration, which will be made available to other groups or individuals.

The 'Astoria Project' has been kindly supported by many individuals since we were given the Compton last year by the Sheffield Theatre Organ Society, who had to vacate the City School, Sheffield, which had been their base for the past 40 years. At the end of 2010, the Penistone Cinema Organ Trust were successful in being granted substantial funding from The South Yorkshire Community Foundation. The grant of £5,000 has been awarded to provide the restoration centre with workshop tools and equipment, which will be used in connection with Cinema Organ restoration.

We would like to thank everyone who have made donations to the new project. Anyone wishing to donate funds, photographs, equipment, memorabilia etc may do so by writingto us at PO Box 557. Barnsley. S70 9DE.

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