Colin Richell

As an ex concert organiser for Ally Pally I am well aware of the problems of the Willis organ being situated in the Great Hall, the glass roof creating a sauna in the summer and the antiquated heating providing a refrigerated experience in the winter months. In fact, the heating system is very noisy and needs to be switched off when the organ is playing causing members of the audience to complain about the cold. Temperatures in the hall can vary by the hour meaning that often the organ is out of tune, and this caused me great embarrassment for the audience who had paid good money to hear the organ. Often, in the past the tannoy has been heard during a concert, because no-one has bothered to turn the thing off. I can only apologise for the fact that members of the Organ Appeal, were seen to be wandering around the hall, and even on the gallery. They know better than this, and I always made it clear that I found that behaviour unsatisfactory. To make it worse , of course they were seen on the close circuit screens, which in my opinion are any eyesore and and a total waste of £9,000.better spent on the organ. I hope that Dr Jackson was not offended, and I have some sympathy that he would have to climb those terrible concrete steps to reach the gallery ! Having previously talked about attracting people to concerts, it would be interesting to know how many turned up, and whether they were attracted by the venue, organ or the recitalist ! When a silent film show is arranged are people attracted by the films rather than the organ playing ? It is to my eternal regret that I never invited Dr Jackson to play in my time at the Palace, especially as he first heard the organ in 1936 ! My publicity reached thousands of people and yet some concerts only attracted a handful of people. I do wonder though why so many recitalists fail to offer their services to venues, while of course many do. I was inundated with requests from organists to play the organ, many of which I accepted. I would not blame anyone for not realising that it was 73 years since Dr Jackson was involved with Ally Pally, because there is so much to do when you are an organiser(often 6 months work in advance) and attracting TV crews to concerts is a thing of the past. Finally I regret to report the death of a previous chair of the Organ Appeal, Arthur Phillips, who was involved with the project for 25 years. How sad he could not see the restoration of his beloved organ. Colin Richell.

yes you are right Nick I should have mentioned the programme, although some concert organisers do not always provide details of the music to be played, in advance presumably because recitalists often change the programe on the day. Colin Richell.

Obviously I would hope that all concert organisers would automatically notify organrecitals.com and Steve Dunk, especially if punters do not search the Mander web site. so that the particular concert is notified to as many people as possible.The two concerts mentioned are already listed, and I have made sure of that. There may be people who are not aware of organrecitals.com, but will now be persuaded to look at this on a weekly basis, and also subscribe with Steve Dunk accordingly. all credit to Steve and Stephen who give much of their free time to produce the relevant web sites. and just imagine how much this free publicity is worth ! I make the point again that I would not attend a concert because a particular make of organ is being featured. I am more interested in the Recitalist, venue and the condition of the said organ.and this does not seem to be understood looking at some of the postings. Perhaps one day, however Manders will advertise on their own web site concerts where Mander organs are being played if this is not done already, or would this be regarded as unethical ? Colin Richell.

There is adequate coverage of forthcoming concerts provided by Steve Dunk and under www.organrecitals.com courtesy of Stephen Smith, featuring all different organ builders, so this should avoid too many individual postings hopefully. Colin Richell.

As a railway enthusiast I should know the answer but I think the trains ran from Waterloo and it had its own station and platform long since gone. Colin Richell

That is very disappointing to hear that the Tower organ is amplified, surely that is cheating ? Does this happen in large churches and cathedrals to pipe organs. ? Thanks Alan for your confirmation.and contribution. Colin Richell.

What a shame Carlo Curley is not English, because that would solve the problem ! Colin Richell.

Another problem is that many mourners wish to play their own cd's (ie favourite music of the deceased) and therefore would not wish to pay for the organ and organist. Very few mourners take part in the hymn singing, and unfortunately the organist is not always of the best quality. I, am, of course talking about crematoriums, and I assume that a church funeral service would not allow pre-recorded music. Colin Richell

I read in my latest copy of "The Weekly News" that a disgruntled vicar has hit out at the growing pratice of what he calls "karaoke" funerals. The Rev Brian Stevens is incensed that his local crematorium in Northampton is dispensing with the services of its veteran organist Tony Edwards and his assistant and replacing them with a computerised music player. The player stores a library of hymns and can download new songs and is being used in increasing numbers in crematoria and places of worship. Rev Stevens describes the new system as "dire" and insisted an organist plays according to the congregation, while a music system doesn't. It is awful, karaoke machines are for pubs. Dignity Funerals who own the crematorium insist that the music system offers a better service. Who is right ? Colin Richell.

I well remember many years ago, we had a" purchase a pipe appeal" for the Ally Pally Organ Appeal, and I purchased many pipes, with a certificate being issued. My recollection is that we did not raise that much funding, and I am not sure what happened to it. We also had a dummy pipe for donations, but often that would ony receive pennies rather than pounds. So, this appears not to be the way forward to raise money for restoration, the answer being a very kind benefactor, who will realise that you can not take it with you, if you get my drift. Good luck anyway to Ripon Cathedral. Colin Richell.

I have just attended a funeral in Enfield crem, and the music was provided by a choir, and accompanied by a portable electric piano (I have never known this before). Therefore the organist and organ was totally redundant, which I would have much preferred to hear ! even if it was a toaster.! Colin Richell

Good to hear that Dr Jackson will be performing at venues on the 30th May, 6th June, 12th June, 30th July and 15th August. He will playing on fine well maintained organs, and such a distinguished performer deserves this. I shall encourage my organ loving friends to support these concerts. Colin Richell.

presumably, if the money is raised, David Wells will undertake the work on the organ ? Colin Richell.

yes the same as respected organ builders being swallowed up by smaller companies, not something I believe is always condoned by the organ world.