2023

We opened our 2023 concert programme with somebody very special - the one and only Phil Kelsall MBE, principal resident organist at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom.

Phil's show was a fabulous showcase for what our instument is capable of.  The audience left happy, knowing they'd seen one of the theatre organs finest players in concert.

March saw talented composer and performer Andy Quin entertain us.

As well as the mighty Woking Wurlitzer, Andy also played our Clavinova.

With no April concert, Richard Hills delighted our May audience with one of his customary vistuoso performances.
 

We didn't have a June concert, but in July a double bill of Michael Wooldridge and Jamyma Hanson more than made up for it. 
 

At the end of the evening, an appreciative audience said farewell both to Michael and Jamyma, but also to our old video and lighting setup as the following day work started on a major upgrade to both.
 

 A nice image of Len, Jamyma and Michael on the Woking Wurlitzer bench at the end of our July concert.
 

September not only bought in a new season but also the premier of our new lighting and video system.  Mutiple cameras allowed several views of the organist in action, all better lit than before and projected onto our new, larger screen.  The first person to play for us was Chris McPhee, all the way from Australia.
 

  We also now have cameras in the organ chambers, and here you can see the percussion section in action.
 

Chris's flamboyant appearance also transgressed to his music, accompanied by many anecdotes shared with our audience.
 

In October we welcomed a second Australian visitor to the Woking Wulitzer.  John Atwell played a very enjoyable show.
 

John's performance was once again enhanced by our new video and lighting setup.
 

Here's Len Rawle MBE speaking to John at the end of his performance.
 

Chris Stanbury entertained us very well in November, the audience enjoying his varied and engaging choices of music.  Even the production crew were seen throwing some mean dance moves as they attended to their respective duties!
 

Chris was also engaging with our audience.
 

Our Christmas Open House was our first event since the sudden death of Len Rawle MBE the month before.  If it wasn't for Len and his family our group and our organ simply would not exist in its current form. 
It was down to Michael Wooldridge to introduce the afternoon, and please note the montage of photos of Len on the console.  Michael also provided assistance to the players as required.
 

The Open House was very popular, so here are a few of those who had a session.  First up was a long standing friend of our group, Richard Cole, with his usual amusing anecdotes and some nice playing.
 

Next up, Robert Clarry.
 

Michael accompanied his wife, Carole, as she sung a suitable seasonal tune.
 

Another friend of our group was our last Open House participant, Damon Cox.