OrganFax Directory

North Staffs Organ and Keyboard Club

Telephone Number :  01782 858 907

Email address :  tonylawton1@ntlworld.com

Contact name :  Tony Lawton

Venue address : Wolstanton High Street Club, High Street, Wolstanton, Newcastle, Staffs, ST5 0HE

About North Staffs Organ and Keyboard Club

The North Staffs Organ & Keyboard Club (formerly The North Staffs Electronic Organ & Keyboard Club) was formed in 1969 by a group of electronic organ enthusiasts, whose interest was, as is now, listening to and watching some of the top organists in the U.K.

Concert nights are held on the first Thursday of each month, starting at 8pm, featuring a top professional organist. We aim to give a balance of type of player, i.e. modern electronic/theatre/middle of-the- road etc. and a variety of makes of organ, to cover a wide range of musical tastes from month to month.

On the third Thursday of each month, we hold an 'Open Night',  starting at 7:30 pm, when our own members and guests entertain us, playing the Club's own organ, or bringing their own. The Club owns a Ringway RS600  as a good all round organ catering for all tastes.The club also owns a Yamaha Digital piano & Tyros 5.

We give full encouragement to beginners and experienced players alike, whether playing a simple piece of music, or a complicated arrangement. We also, from time to time, ask a local organ dealer to give a demonstration of the latest instruments, or a talk about an organ-related subject.

The Open Nights provide a warm social evening, when fellow 'Organ Nuts' can get together to talk about their favourite subject, and make new friends. New members and guests are made very welcome, and quickly become 'one of the family'.

We own a video projector, screen and cameras and are able to project a close up of concert organists hands in action. It is a far better alternative to the stage mirrors that many organists use. This was made possible due to a successful application to 'Awards For All' (lottery funding). This, along with our stage lighting and effects, has made an incredible improvement to our members' enjoyment, and visiting artistes have been very impressed by the professional way in which we stage our concert nights. We are also able to connect a laptop computer to the projector for presentations, advertising and are finding more and more ways to use our new equipment.

On February 7th 2019 we celebrated our 50th Anniversary. The evening commenced with a light afternoon tea, followed by conceert performances by John Cooper and Paul Carman closing with a cabaret spot by Paul.

Tony (Chairman) & his wife Chris (membership secretary) were honoured for their 25 years service, with a presentation from all members & committee of beautiful inscribed plaques, flowers, champagne and a cheque for £200. They were both overwhelmed by the members generous donations and were completely unaware that anything had been organised. 

We regularly raise money for local charities by organising 'Playathons' in supermarkets and shopping centres. Our members are very supportive of these events either by volunteering to play their keyboards or by collecting. As well as being a lot of fun, attracting new members and getting ourselves known in the area, to date we have  raised over £12,000 for Air Ambulance, Arch, DMH, Alzheimer's Society, Breast Cancer awareness, local church organ restoration fund & Diabetes UK. Our latest Playathon was on 23rd November.at Asda Tunstall with proceeds going to DEAFvibe, a charity who are self funding & give support to people with hearing loss.

STATEMENT

The North Staffs Organ & Keyboard club have been running for over 54 years, meeting twice a month in Wolstanton, Newcastle Staffs. We now find ourselves in a dilemma, as have many similar clubs, in that we have an aging committee with health issues. At the next year end, in February, six of our committee of 12 will be standing down, 4 of which are officers. If no other members come forward, which I have to say is very unlikely, the continuation of the club will become untenable.

We are therefore appealing to anyone who would be prepared to continue the future of the club. A letter has been sent to members explaining the situation & that if no solution is found in the next few months, the club will cease to exist at the end of March.

This is obviously a very sad position we find ourselves in, so if anyone can through a lifeline, we would be eternally grateful. Thank you for reading this statement. For further information please contact Tony Lawton on 07563521732 or email nsokc@hotmail.co.uk

The club usually holds a concert on the 1st Thursday of the month at 8pm and our Open Night is on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 7:30pm

Subscription: £6.00 single, £11.00 dual

Members Concert admission: £5.00

Visitors Concert admission: £10.00

Open Night £1.00 Members & Guests