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This website is updated periodically so please remember to click the REFRESH icon on your browser to get the latest version .
Latest update: 19/11/07
* Latest on restoration on "News" page link above
* New soundfiles on "Listen to...." and "News" pages links above
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OPUS TWO Digital Control System Appeal
We have now received a quote for the OPUS TWO system to replace the defunct electro-mechanical relays on the organ . This totals £6,200 (£3,800 for the console end and £2,400 for the chambers) Any funding support, sponsorship or donations towards reaching this target would be very gratefully received.
For donations: See contact page (link above). Thank You.
T.O.C Chairman Robin Roper writes........
Late 2006 saw the beginning of a project to bring the 3 manual 7 rank Compton Theatre Organ originally installed in the State Theatre in Dartford (1935), from its home since 1978 in the concert hall of the Gunton Hall resort in Lowestoft, to clean, restore and improve it, and install it in a multi-purpose entertainment- cultural-educational venue in the Tamar Valley.
We are delighted that the organ is to be installed at Dingles Steam Village - home of the Fairground Heritage Centre at Lifton, Devon. With restoration work well underway as we approach the anniversary of the organ's removal from Gunton Hall, we are still looking for volunteers and funding support to help carry this project forward. We need a range of skills from carpentry, painting/decorating, metalwork, leatherwork, building construction, electrics/electronics, cleaning, pipe repair voicing and tuning, to organ playing, art and design, IT, publicity, fundraising, social organising and event administration.
Most of all though, what’s needed is enthusiasm, and anybody with the vaguest interest in organs is invited to join. You don’t even have to especially like organs at all, but I guess it helps. I’d like this to be fun and rewarding experience for all. However your active interest is needed at some level – we all have something to learn and we all have skills we can share.
The theatre organ is a fantastic instrument – it can handle a wide range of music from classical to pop and from folk to jazz – and is full of tones and sounds which run from the mellow and mellifluous to the mighty and majestic to the sassy and silly. This organ even has sound effects that were meant for use in accompanying silent movies! (We could do that again). It has a real xylophone, glockenspiel, vibraphone and chimes, as well as various drums cymbals and other non-tonal percussions. At Gunton Hall, the organ was fitted with a real piano, but that is long gone. (We plan to put one back though - we have been donated a lovely upright player piano))
Unfortunately this particular organ has had bad luck – flooded 3 times when in the cinema. That's why we've affectionately dubbed it "The Dartford Warbler". Now, even after extensive restoration in the past, the organ suffered neglect and disrepair and was no longer wanted at Gunton Hall. It needs some TLC, so let’s give it a new lease of life where it can be put to full use here in the Tamar Valley!
Apart from getting the Dartford Warbler playing again, we also hope to have social and educational events including concerts, visits to other organs and venues and such. Education will feature strongly in our future plans so we can bring on a new generation of theatre organists and technicians.
If you are interested in getting involved in all the fun and games, please do join us in the Tamar Organ Club and get in touch with us via the contacts page of this website.
