SUNDERLAND THEATRE ORGAN PRESERVATION SOCIETY. RYHOPE COMMUNITY CENTRE IN SUNDERLAND (SR2 0RX)
December 2015.

CARING FOR THE Ex. BLACK'S REGAL/ODEON COMPTON (3/9).

The Society extends to you every good wish for Christmas and the New Year.

Next concert details...

Sunday 21st February 2016 with Christian Cartwright.  

Christian had an interest in electronic organs from a very early age. He was stimulated by a visit to the famous Blackpool Tower to hear the mighty Wurlitzer organ there. This in turn encouraged his enthusiasm for theatre organs. He developed a strong and individual playing style, and is a popular console performer up and down the country, and has played in the USA too. Not only is he an accomplished player but has a keen interest in the intricate side of organ restoration. Together with his brother, he is presently restoring and renovating a "Christie" cinema organ. An exciting programme of music is in store for us on the 21st of February which I'm sure will satisfy all tastes. Doors open at 2pm with a prompt start at 2.30pm.
Ryhope Community Centre, Black Road, Ryhope, Sunderland SR2 0RX (use the side red door)

Christian on a previous visit to Ryhope.

Christian at another Compton.

Review of the Christmas concert...

 On Sunday 13th of December, we welcomed Stephen Austin for a return visit to play the Ryhope Compton. He travelled from his home in Blackpool today, and a more circuitous route was taken to get here. This was due to heavy snow the previous day that had affected the most direct route over the Pennines. His programme included old favourites and seasonal treats. He started with Haydon Wood's popular "Horse guards" and Whitehall", there followed a selection from the film/musical "Wicked", then several tunes associated with Burt Bacharach. He then put us in a Latin mood with a number of tunes including "Besame mucho". A pleasant piece brought us to the interval, and this was Russ Conway's "Snow coach". The second half included the "Dance of the Icicles", some Rumba tunes, music from the ever popular film "Polar Express", and a Rodgers and Hart selection. He couldn't leave us without a few Christmas songs and carols to round off an afternoon of musical delight.

Stephen Austin.

Stephen at the console.

Stephen presents Bob with raffle prizes (a double winner!)

The programme for 2016...

Sunday 17th April... Paul Roberts (concert kindly supported by the Theatre Organ Club).
Sunday 19th June... Andrew Nix.
Sunday 21st August... Joe Marsh.
Sunday 18th September...Bob Chilton (Proceeds to Macmillan cancer).
Sunday 16th October... Cameron Lloyd.
Sunday 11th December...Chris Powell.
All concerts start promptly at 2.30pm (Doors open 2pm)

Looking ahead...

Paul Roberts performs at Ryhope in April 2016.

On Sunday 17th April 2016 we welcome Paul Roberts to the console who travels from Somerset to play for us. This concert is most generously supported by the "Theatre Organ Club" and for which the Society is most grateful. Paul was born in Warrington in 1960 and during his formative years studied piano, classical organ and clarinet to a high standard. For over 30 years Paul has been prominent on the UK concert circuit and has played many times in Europe. He has embarked on  35 tours of the USA and Canada. Paul has made many recordings and has been featured on Radio and TV. We look forward to an afternoon of musical treats given by an extremely talented organist.

A dip into the Society archives...

Over the years, the Society has welcomed many top organists to play the ex Black's Regal/Odeon Compton. Below we have John Barnett with former chairman Ian Parsons and another features Ian with Simon Gledhill. 

John Barnett at the organ in 2013.

Simon Gledhill with Ian P.

The most entertaining organist John Mann from Worthing played the Compton for the first time on Sunday 30th April 2000. He has made a number of return visits and is a most lively performer. As he is keen to point out his popularity is in part due to his success playing for services in Worthing Crematorium!

Poster for the John Mann concert in 2000.

 This poster below is dated 9th December 1998 is a pleasant reminder of the extremely talented local organist the late Peter Lish. He was a strong supporter of the Society and played the Compton organ in concert a number of times. Sadly Peter died quite a few years ago while just in his mid-forties. Many of our members and readers will have happy memories of his playing both here and at the James Finnigan Hall at Eston. He was popular on the  national concert circuit and was a great friend of the late Ernest Broadbent and Ronald Curtis. The poster for this Christmas concert also features a local and delightful singer Joyce Shaw.

A Christmas concert with Peter Lish and Joyce Shaw in 1998.

The popular Peter Lish, photo taken about 1980.

Peter is warmly remembered, and indeed David Redfern commented that one of his final concerts was at Burton Town Hall. The picture below shows Peter with Doreen Chadwick at the Clydebank WurliTzer courtesy of Ian Macnaught.

Doreen and Peter.

The picture below (with kind permission of Chris Bennett) shows Peter at console of the ex Gaumont Cinema Compton (Doncaster) which was installed in the "Three J's", Gomersal, West Yorkshire.

Peter at the "Three J's" 

Ian Rossington has provided this newspaper piece about Peter featured in the Hull Daily Mail in 1983 and posted on "Facebook" by Chris Bennett....thanks. The article mentions Peter performing the opening concert of the 1983-84 season of the Hull Theatre Organ Preservation Society at the Hull " Cecil Cinema". Some pleasant remarks have been shared about Peter and it is good that these memories are kept alive.

posted by Neville.

see our "Facebook" page just type in Sunderland Theatre Organ Preservation Society.
National concert information/archive photographs can be found in another interesting site on "Facebook" ...type in British Cinema Organs
Society information can also be found on the web site organfax.co.uk

e.mail address for organ/concert details etc ... ryhopecomptonorgan@gmail.com