OrganFax Directory

Carlisle and West Cumbria Organ and Keyboard Society

Telephone Number :  01228 526399

Email address :  pcmurdoch@aol.com

Website :  www.maryportlocal.co.uk

Contact name :  Paul Murdoch

Venue address : Ellenbank Hotel, Birkby, Maryport, Cumbria, CA15 6RE

About Carlisle and West Cumbria Organ and Keyboard Society

 

NEXT CONCERT THURSDAY 25TH FEBRUARY 2010

Our next concert is on Thursday 25TH February 2010 when we will be entetained by David Smith from Bolton playing Roland Atelier. This will be Dave's first visit to our Society although David has been on the circuit for many years as well as managing organ shops and working with Eric Delaney. Dave has also appeared in a Royal Command performance in the presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret. Dave was also involved in the research and development of the frist Roland Atelier organ. A fine evening of music awaits us.

REPORT ON JANUARY 2010 CONCERT WITH CHIHO SUNAMOTO

After the November floods and the Christmas break January saw the return of Chiho Sunamoto to our Society and a near capacity audience was well entertained with chiho's flawless playing and singing assisted by her partner Jon on the melodica and vocals. Chiho played a wide selection of music from pop with "9 million bicycles in Bejing" to the latest West End musical with "Oh Happy Day" from Sister Act and unusually for Chiho a march "Radetsky March". Everyone enjoyed a wonderful evening of music and song and went home happy.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY

The Society was formed on the 5th March 1969 as the Carlisle Branch of the Hammond Organ Society. The guest for the inaugural meeting was Hammond Organ demonstrator Mr Ray Hammond.

Many concerts and events have been held over the years including a Viscount organ Presentation on December 3rd 1971 featuring Alan Haven, Gerry Allen and the former Miss World Lesley Langley. Our 10th Birthday concert in 1979 which featured two Organists from Blackpool Tower the late Mike Slater and a very young Phil Kelsall. A 25th Birthday concert in 1994 for which we built a special stage at the Castle Inn Hotel for the John Mann music show. Another concert which was a very special night for the Society a concert with a very young Mark Shakespeare.

The Society change its name on the 29th April 1976 to the Carlisle and District Organ Society as Hammond was showing less intrest in the Society and more organs were being manufactured around the world.

After serving on the Committee from the formation of the Society David Johnson took over as Secretary of the Society in May 1977 along with Keith Harkness as Chairman and David Anderson as Deputy Chairman. Keith Harkness and David Johnson are now Honorary members of the Society along with Jack Skimmings who served on the Committee for many years. David Anderson continues as Deputy Chairman to the present day.

On the 15th April 1999 the Society’s name was once again changed to “The Carlisle and West Cumbria Organ and Keyboard Society” to reflect the area the Society covers and the word keyboard in the name as keyboards became more popular.

The Society has met at many venues including “The Carlisle United Supporters Club”, “The Carrow House Hotel”, “the Swiss Court” and the “RAFA Club” in Carlisle, “The Castle Inn Hotel” Bassenthwaite and since May 2000 at the “Ellenbank Hotel” Birkby Maryport by kind permission of the owners Mr and Mrs Mitchell.

The Society celebrates its 40th Birthday on 5th March 2009 and will be holding a special concert on April 30th with Andrew Nix and Tony Stace to celebrate.

All are welcome at concerts you do not need to play an instrument.

The Society has 80 members and regularly has attendances of 70 to 90 persons.

Admission is £3.00 Members and £5.00 Visitors. Children under 16 free.

The Subscription is £10.00 per year due in April.

The Society meets on the last Thursday of the Month except for July and December when there is no concert.

Our Venue

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