| The STOS was founded in 1967 by a small group of local Theatre Organ fans.
The Society expanded rapidly and, from modest electronic organ concerts in members' homes, eventually installed an eight rank three manual Compton Theatre Organ in the hall of City School. This instrument, formerly in the Odeon Cinema Golders Green, London, was enlarged by the members to eleven ranks. They also added a phantom piano, playable from the organ console.
This fine instrument provided the members with glorious sounds and marvellous entertainment until it was destroyed by fire in 1990. This has now been replaced by a 14 rank Compton with a phantom piano and computerised registration setter system, which has provided an even better sound than the original organ. A dedicated team of
STOS members carried out the whole of this work.
The present organ was originally installed in the Astoria Cinema, Purley where it was officially opened on Easter Monday, April 2nd, 1934 by Robin Richmond.
It was sold in June 1973 and kept in store until the East Kilbride Organ Society purchased it in 1975 and installed
it in Carluke where it was opened on December 1976. It was played regularly until
it's last concert on February 1978. It was then sold to a Mr. Tom Forsythe who installed it in his home until 1982 when it was installed
in a barn at Pinchbeck near Spalding. The organ was purchased by Audley Minor Organs, who sold it to a restaurant chain in 1988. |
