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Terry

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  1. Rather like the firm of Solicitors Dafyff - Fuller, Moon and Fuller!
  2. I have heard that story Roland, but have no knowledge as to whether it was true. However, it would be a very plausible buyer of time if needed!!
  3. Thank you Roland. I managed to find in the previous correspondence where John Sheppard also gave some interesting information. Mr. Kingsgate has never, as far as I am aware, ever been mentioned as an actual person! However, it is interesting that in the 1920's that name is associated with the Musical Instrument Company. All rather odd and a bit confusing to say the least! You are quite correct about the confusion over spelling. I must confess I fell into that trap when writing up my published finding of my survey report on the condition of the Lincoln organ and Hancock Chamber organ in the Royal Pavilion, Brighton!
  4. Thanks, that's very helpful Tony.
  5. A most interesting and enlightening contribution Colin. It sounds most likely that the parts you describe came from the HTB instrument, but obviously, I can't be sure. I find it quite incredulous that the 1966 intervention is marked as unknown. As I remember from over 50 years ago, the problems with the HTB instrument were action problems which Doug Littlewood was dispatched to sort out. As I remember the action kept sticking! There were also problems with cyphers. As you also mention, Kimber Allen were very reluctant to supply parts to anyone other than those in the organ building trade.
  6. As you say Barry, information about KD is very hard to find. I think the firms main activities were rebuilds and overhauls. However, they did build some new organs. The earliest reference I can find is 1932 when they built a residence organ for Laurence Ide Esq, Chestnut Lodge, Cobham, Surrey. NPOR ref N13456. Which went to Holy Trinity, Brompton. NPOR ref N18003. There is a Dutch site which lists some of the other instruments they were involved in, but I suspect these were mostly rebuilds Https//orgelsite.nl. During my short time in the firm the flagship instrument was Holy Trinity, Brompton - when Robert Munns was organist there. I recall there we constant problems with it, resulting in almost weekly call outs. I remember years ago having a conversation with John Norman about Reginald Davidson. John said that he could never understand how such a lovely man could build such dreadful organs!
  7. Thank you for that Phillip I will contact them.
  8. I have come across some fairly ancient discussions about Kingsgate Davidson which obviously I had missed. I was their last apprentice. I arrived in December 1965 and was their until the company closed in 1966, when I joined Hill Norman and Beard and became a voicing and tonal finishing apprentice under the tutorage of the brilliant voicer/tonal finisher Michael Buttolph - now aged 82! There were only a handful of employees at the Numhead old chapel workshop. The following names were there during my time :- Reginald 'Daddy' Davidson the MD Doug Davidson (son) Director George 'gee us anammer' the Foreman 'Nobby Clark - Voicer Ralph Arnold - Organ Builder Bob Hatto - Metal Hand John Shepherd - Tuner John's brother Bob - 19yo Apprentice Organ Builder Doug Littlewood - Organ Builder If anyone requires further information please let me know.
  9. Many thanks for that most enlightening reply Roland.
  10. The main case of the St. John's organ came from St. George's Capel in Great Yarmouth after it was made redundant in 1972. Apparently it was presented as a gift from Sir Duncan Oppenheimer. I am intrigued to know how he acquired it. Any information you may be able to provide would be much appreciated. The organ builder that dismantled it in Great Yarmouth was Gerry Egan a one time employee of HN&B
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