Colin Richell

It was I who started this thread some weeks ago, when I asked if anyone had any information about the organ in Dover Town Hall, which had been out of use for many years. no-one responded so presumably people are happy to allow it to die as with many other town hall instruments. I cannot see that replacing a pipe organ with a Wurlitzer would change attitudes at all. Colin Richell.

I am delighted to hear from so many Carlo Curley fans, and this gives me great confidence for the Ally Pally Theatre event on the 30th May. Feedback has been very positive. I can assure you that everyone at Ally Pally is delighted to welcome Carlo back after his very succesful concerts in the 1980's. As people say, he puts bums on seats, and encourages people who are not normally into classical organ music.to take some interest. It is understandable that he is not eveyone's cup of tea, and also that "toasters" are despised by many. Give me a pipe organ any day, but the theatre does not have an organ, so the only alternative is to hire one in, in the hope that the sound is comparable to a pipe organ. Has anyone heard the new Allen organ, and if so what do they think of it, ? Colin Richell.

Well Nick they do say that one man's meat is another mans poison, and I do respect your view point. Who is the organist who is very fast on his feet? someone sent me something on the computer, but I could not open it. He is an American apparently. Colin Richell.

Thanks to Henry Willis, I have been reminded to advise all that on Friday the 30th May, Carlo Curley makes a triumphant return to Alexandra Palace, but not in the Great Hall, but in the unrestored Victorian Theatre, with the Allen organ, after an absence of 40 years. Even if a "toaster" is being played, I hope some of you will attend, and certainly there seems to be much interest, considering the number of tickets sold already. All profits to the theatre restoration fund. You may recall that from 1875 to 1890, the theatre contained a Willis organ.(see NPOR) I would like to thank Stephen Smith for his help in publicising the concert under organ recitals.com, and to all the organ associations and societies who have expressed such enthusiasm for this unique event. Finally, thank you to John Mander for allowing this thread to be resurrected. Colin Richell.

I would suggest that it is the decision of John Mander as to whether to allow contributions on electronic organs on his web site rather than that of Barry Williams. If I wish to make comments about for example the Allen organ played by Carlo Curley in a forthcoming concert at Ally Pally then I shall do so with the permission of John Mander. Barry has every opportunity to discuss the pipe organ and its advantages which he does almost on a daily basis, so give someone else a chance ! That is not to say that I disagree with him. If we wish to hear Carlo in a venue which does not contain a pipe organ, what are we supposed to do ? Colin Richell.

Does anyone know what is happening to the organ in Dover Town Hall.? I did speak to someone a year ago, who told me that the organ hadn't worked for many years, one of the problems being that the console was portable, and had to be wheeled out for concerts etc, and of course there was no money available. He did not know the name of the organ builder Colin Richell.

Referring to Spotted Metal's comments about certain Allen organs, I hope that the Allen currently used by Carlo Curley is worth listening to, and would be appreciated by the audience. Does anyone know ? Colin Richell.

I know that he has his detractors, but at the end of the day he puts bums on seats, and his programmes are always lively and vibrant. His concerts at Ally Pally in the 1980's attracted thousands, even though he was playing an Allen organ, and he was the subject of a BBC TV programme. Recent concerts on the Willis organ attract very few people. I have just booked Carlo for a concert in the Ally Pally Victorian theatre, and I can assure you that his fee is nothing like the £3,000 quoted. I suggest you contact his agent PVA Management to ascertain the current fee being quoted. Colin Richell.

This sounds great Barry. Did you build the organ yourself, or did you have assistance from an organ builder ? Any photographs, and when are you going to hold your first concert? Colin Richell.

Attempting once again to return to the theme of the thread, I no longer play, but I was bemused by the organist who could not play the pedals even though he had tried to learn. I would have thought that the hard bit was also to learn to play the keyboard. but is it essential to use the pedals when perhaps just playing for hymns in a half empty church ? Colin Richell.

Yes I also set my video recorder because I was attending a railway Society meeting. I was disappointed with the Blackpool segment, and I would have preferred just hearing the organs without the hymn singers. Many years ago I contacted the BBC with the suggestion that a "Songs of Praise" programme could be recorded from the Great Hall of Ally Pally. The series producer was at that time a Michael someone, (forget his name), and he duly visited the Palace. I understand that he loved the venue, but was not impressed with the appearance of the unfinished organ. Sadly nothing ever happened. I have always enjoyed the programme, just so I can hear the impressive pipe organs. Colin Richell

I seem to have ruffled someones feathers. My response was to someone else who mentioned the poor condition of the Ally Pally pipes, so perhaps he should be given 100 lines. The person concerned knows what he is talking about, but we are quite prepared to listen to a organ builder who has been in the business all his life (ie not selling cars in his hey day) All I said was that the pipes were stored in Liverpool, so I fail to understand why Petersfield was mentioned. Please take breath and read the thread properly before writing a reply. In fact I have contributed to quite a few different threads, but I guess that if you have plenty of work you would not have the time to read or contribute to them all. Can I now ask for advice about damaged pipes, from someone who is not involved with the Willis organ at the Palace.please. Colin Richell Save the Ally Pally Organ Appeal.

I am sure that when I operated a cigarette vending business many years, one of my best stainless steel versions was a Wurtlitzer, or am I wrong ? Colin Richell

The Ally Pally pipes have been mentioned in this thread, and we have the pictures of the pipes presently stored in Liverpool at Willises. The condition is absolutely shocking, and most could never be used again. No doubt this is the reason that restoration of the organ becomes an impossible dream as time goes on but who really cares ? Colin Richell.

I would have thought that 1000 satisfied clients equals 1000 Christmas cards. I personally received 100 cards. Is that a record ? I doubt whether anyone is remotely interested, but I have also taken my cards down ! Colin Richell.

Oh yes we do ! Colin Richell

Oh Roffensis,(Richard) you remind me of someone else, who has the knack of upsetting good people. What pleasure do you gain from this ? Best wishes Colin Richell.

You may be right Peter, but I cannot recall this ever happening before. I would not, for one, attend a RAH concert if the organ was not playing, and it is more surprising when you consider that many of the concerts are advertised as including the Grand Organ ! Colin Richell.