Colin Richell

Yes IN 1978 I decided to form a Society to preserve the very first Standard locomotive ie Britannia Pacific 70000, which was not going to be preserved for future generations, because of minimal damage. After 8 years of bloody hard work we bought the loco for £4,100 , and was recently sold by Pete Waterman for £700,000. The loco has just been restored at enormous cost and is due out on the main line on the 7th April. My history was published in Railway Magazine many years ago. The Company was dissolved and I lost my Directorship and shareholding (£3,000) There are only two Britannias preserved, and every week of the year you can travel behind a steam locomotive to almost anywhere in the country. Companies such as Steam Dreams normally charge around £75 for standard class £179 for dining. I normally do about no more than 6 trips a year because of commitments. I am proud of myachievements, and still get a great feeling when I see a working locomotive. Hope you get to do a trip and don't forget your camera ! Colin Richell

I don't know why but I have never been impressed with the sound of this organ compared to other organs which I have heard live , or on The Organist Entertains, perhaps it is just the recitalist that puts me off. I stopped supporting the Sunday morning concerts long ago, not forgetting some awful violinist who came on the second half and completely spoilt the programme. I wonder whether installing the pipes under the stage would affect the sound of the instrument.but may be I am just an unashamed Wurlitzer fan. The Wurlitzer in Thetford, Norfolk ? is brilliant and I never tire of hearing it.(recordings not live) As they say, one mans meat is another mans poison. Colin Richell.

Yesterday I booked a backstage tour of the RAH, and very enjoyable it was too. The lady guide who took us around was excellent and very knowledgeable, but whilst sitting in the hall, she mentioned the seating, roofing etc, and finished by saying "I think thats all", when I asked about the organ, and she exclaimed "oh yes I forgot that ". Amazing ! We couldn't see the console or many of the pipes because they had been covered over for a forthcming show. Pity because I really wanted to get a closeup for a change. So if you make a visit remember you will need to remind them that the auditorium contains rather a large pipe organ. The price included refreshments which consisted of a small cup of tea and 1 biscuit the size of a button ! Colin Richell.

I hope that people will give the new MG'S a chance and see whether the new Chinese Management can get it right. Yes everyone runs down BL and yet didn't they invent the mini and the Land Rover and much more ? Both these marques are very successful in spite of the fact that the so called mini should revert to a previous BL brand name ie MAXI ! Colin Richell.

My late father always bought Austin or Morris cars, and his Morris 8 lasted for 20 years before the running board fell off. Rover cars were also excellent and it is sad that this brand name is now owned by Ford. I owned a Rover 75 which was excellent, and how I wish I could have purchased a replacement. The problem is that there is absolutely no loyalty amongst the British people, and yet wasn't it Honda or Toyota that has had three serious recalls for faults so perhaps they are not so clever.? I was gutted when MG ROVER went out of business with the Company being purchased by a Chinese Company. The good news is that the Longbridge plant has partially reopened, and three new MG models are being introduced this year, and I believe that one will be a replacement for the 75( MG 3 ?) The Chinese are banking on loyalty to the MG marque, but don't hold your breath. Colin Richell.

Obviously contributors have forgotten that some time ago I started a thread re The Organist Entertains where I complained that the BBC continally changed the broadcasting day, reduced the length of the programme to a supposedly 30 minutes, when in fact this was 27 minutes because of news items and stopped Nigel advertising forthcoming concerts. I doubt whether the BBC will ever change its attitude even though I and probably thousands of other enthusiasts wrote in protest to BBC 2 at the time. I always enjoy the programme which I listen to on "play again" except when Nigel is featuring the Hammond organ which I find repulsive. Colin Richell

SATURDAY 29TH JANUARY CELEBRATION OF THE FIRST TEN YEARS OF ORGANISTS ONLINE AT BLOOMSBURY CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH, TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD, LONDON WC. PROGRAMME. 1-30 LIGHT REFRESHMENTS 1-55 INTRODUCTION PHILIP NORMAN 2-00 RECITAL 1 STUART WHATTON 2-15 PRESENTATION 1 FITZJOHN MUSIC PUBLICATIONS 2-50 PRESENTATION 2 GREGORIAN MUSIC 3-25 RECITAL 3 SUSAN HEATH DOWNEY 3-40 PRESENTATION 3 BC SHEPHERD AND SONS RENOWNED ORGAN BUILDERS 4-00 RECITAL BY CHERRY-WILLOWS PAUL 4-14 PRESENTATION 4 SMALL CHOIRS MUSIC 4-35 BUFFET 5-30 CELEBRITY RECITAL-DAVID APRAHAMIAN LIDDLE-FORMER ALEXANDRA PALACE ORGANIST. 6-30 END.

Many thanks for your speedy response. I will certainly look at all the options you suggest. The theatre organ is very tempting but I am not sure whether Ally Pally would allow the instrument to be installed in the theatre, although there is plenty of room, the audotorium is huge. Thanks once again Colin Richell

Some years ago I obtained for the Ally Pally theatre, free of charge an electronic Wurlitzer to be used in the theatre foyer and auditorium. Because of lack of use, and damp conditions the organ is very sick and it would appear to be a waste of money to have the instrument repaired (for the second time). Eventually we will need an instrument which can be used in the foyer and easily moved into the theatre audotorium, and be heard in a very large aucoustic to accompany silent film shows and choral concerts. The organ would have to be second hand, and I wonder whether any subscribers could offer advice on a suitable instrument, which would not object to damp conditions and little use, at present. What kind of price are we looking at ? Many thanks Colin Richell.

BLOOMSBURY CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH Tottenham Court Rd, London Saturday 27th November 4pm Richard Hills will appear. retiring collection enquiries 020 7240 0544 or see web site Colin Richell

I trust those brave people who drove to Liverpool found 4 wheels when they returned to their cars ! I am sure that John Mander must be delighted that someone has copied his unique idea of having an open day ! We all look forward to the next MANDER open day without the bribery of free beer thank you. Colin Richell.

Thats a good one, how true even today (taken from Round the Horne) Colin Richell.

I and many others look forward to that John, and await to hear the relevant dates. You made us very welcome on the last occasion, and we were all impressed with your full order book ! Colin Richell.

For years there has been a long standing comment from comedians that you will lose your car wheels if you park in Liverpool, but I am sure that this is no different to anywhere else ! Colin Richell.

Why do we need to start a new post when I have responded to one open day with a request for another one ? It seems to me that some people just want to make trouble. I live in London and Manders are situated in London, so that makes sense for me not to travel all the way to Liverpool with the cost of travel these days. Yes we do want another Mander open day please, so you travel to Liverpool if you want.and sigh all you want on the journey up there. Colin Richell.

More importantly. it is probably time for another Mander open day. I Thouroughly enjoyed the last one which was packed with enthusiasts. Any news John ? Colin Richell.