OrganFax Directory

Gosport and District Organ Club

Telephone Number :  07899 894 080

Email address :  gosportorgan@gmail.com

Contact name :  Richard Bunce

Venue address : Thorngate Halls, Bury Road, Gosport, Hants, PO12 3PX

About Gosport and District Organ Club

The Gosport Organ Club was formed in 1977 under the leadership of local grocer Mr Harry Cook at the local Thorngate Halls Community Centre. In 1981 the thriving Club built the organ chambers at the rear of the Ballroom stage for the purpose of installing the Compton Organ from the Regal Hammersmith. However, before this could happen the larger 3/12 Compton from the Gaumont Wood Green was obtained and the Hammersmith Compton was sold on. The Compton was installed by club members under the direction of Mr Stuart Jameson of Eastleigh. The console is on castors and is wheeled out from its stowage between the two organ chambers.

The opening concert was performed by John Mann on 21st April1981. A further Kinura and Trumpet rank were added in 1985. The Compton Pipe Organ is still in its original build state and is one of only two surviving Comptons with Pneumatic-Mechanical relay action still playing in the public domain.  The other is now the chapel organ in Wormwood Scrubs prison, which has been consideraby altered tonally, but we believe it still has pneumatic relays.

The Gosport and District Organ Club meets once a month,on the second Wednesday of the month at 1pm. They meet in the Ballroom where Club Members play and listen to the Compton Pipe Organ.  This is one of the few locations that members can actually play a Compton Cinema Organ on a regular basis, a neccesity to keep this magnificent instrument in playable condition. The Thorngate Halls is an excellent location with plenty of parking, bar and restaurant facilities.

Meetings:

2nd Wednesday of month 1pm.   Ballroom

Annual Subscription : £8            Members monthly subs: £4(non players) £8 (Play Compton)

Concerts:

Our Sunday concerts start at 2.00 pm and finish around 4.30.  Doors open 1.15. Tickets on the door. Car park £1.00.