Harworth 'Christie' Theatre Organ Enthusiasts Opening Concert 30th September 1973
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In HARWORTH
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Journal of the Harworth 'Christie’ Organ Enthusiasts January/February 2022 From our Chairperson Hello Everyone Nice to be back with our Golden Notes Magazine, seems ages since we had one published in the old format, instead of one sheet of writing paper. A lot of water has gone under the bridge with that dreaded Covid. Whoever started it has a lot to answer for. Back to HCOE, our Christie organ is in fine fettle. We would like some little jobs doing to it, but all in all we must not grumble as she is 88 years old. During our Saturday dance and Sunday concert the old organ took everything in her stride. Lots of people commented on how well she sounded, of course the organists helped. Well over the last two years our society has lost some very good friends and loved ones. Alan Clayton, one of our longest serving members, Ron Young, Mrs Bird, and Philip and Ann Harvey, just to name a few. The committee send their condolences to everyone who has suffered a loss. We look forward to a much better outlook, our 50th Anniversary is next year, 2023 (September). Best Wishes to all. Peter.
2 Dear Members It is time for Harry and myself to get started with the publishing of the Golden Notes now that things are starting to get back to some sort of normal, whatever that is. December 2021 saw a change to the Saturday Dance and Sunday Concert. Unfortunately Elizabeth Harrison was unable to come so Bill King came to play for the dance and Matthew Bason did the concert for us, both dance and concert were well attended. BILL KING DANCE Saturday 18th December 2021 Bill King was our organist tonight having stepped in to fill in for Elizabeth Harrison and he played a nice selection of dances for us. There was a good attendance for the dance and the raffle was well supported. Compiled by Liz and Harry MATTHEW BASON IN CONCERT Sunday, 19th December 2021 Hello Everyone With a warm hall, nicely decorated by the Committee, we were in for a jolly good time, with Matthew Bason at the Christie organ. Matthew started the concert with ‘I’ve Got Rhythm’, ‘Strike up the Band’, ‘Sweet Embraceable You’, ‘Summertime’ – which was definitely not just now that we are in winter, so ‘Let It Snow’ was more fitting which he played later in his programme, along with other Christmas tunes like ‘Little Donkey’, ‘When a Child is Born’, Mary’s Boy Child’. Then we waltz into a winter wonderland with ‘September in the Rain’, ‘Singing in the Rain’. Matthew went on to play faster tunes, I think he was warming up his fingers with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers ‘Dancing Cheek to Cheek’, ‘When I Need You’, ‘Take your Partners and Dance’, ‘Blue Sky’ and ‘I’m in Heaven’. Now on to the 70’s with ‘Tie a Yellow Ribbon’ and the 60’s for ‘Can’t Buy me Love’ to end the first half. Before starting the second half, Matthew said he liked the way we have the audience seated in a half moon arrangement with seats in two’s and two
3 metres apart to keep everyone safe, and all wearing masks to conform to ‘Covid’ instructions. I must say we will keep the semicircle seating arrangement in future. Back to the organ, Matthew played ‘Blaze Away’, ‘Moon River’, ‘In the Mood’, ‘What a Difference a Day Makes’, ‘Blue Moon’ and ‘Moon Glow’. Then came music from West Side Story, ‘I Feel Pretty’, ‘Somewhere Tonight’. Then Ragtime to get fingers tapping with ‘Busy Fingers’, ‘Piano Rag’, ‘Tiger Rag’, ‘Black and White Rag’ and ‘Bugle Call Rag’. Now time for Christmas Carols; Luckily someone found Carol sheets so we could sing along to ‘Oh Come all ye Faithful’, ‘Silent Night’, ‘Away in a Manger’. Matthew finished the Concert with ‘Jingle Bells’, ‘Santa ‘Claus is Coming Tonight’, ‘Have yourselves a Merry Christmas’ and ‘White Christmas’. And finally the Christie was put to bed until our next Dance and Concert in January 2022. Compiled by Liz and Harry PHIL RANDLES - DANCE 22nd January 2022. This, of course, is our Annual Buffet Dance which was well attended with nearly 60 people there and entertained by Philip Randles playing both the Christie organ and his electronic one. There was a little of everything in his programme from ballroom and sequence to line dance, even a bit of rock and roll. Once again Iris’s daughter Steph and her ladies did an excellent buffet and was enjoyed by all. Also the raffle was well supported with about 30 prizes in all. You may have noticed that the time of the dance has changed; it now starts at 7.30 p.m. until 10.30 p.m. which everyone said was a better time to finish. Compiled by Liz and Harry
4 CHRIS POWELL IN CONCERT 23rd January 2022. To an enthusiastic audience Chris brought up the organ onto the stage with ‘If you could see me Now’, ‘Vienna Forever’ (Wein Bleibt Wein). Then straight into ‘Radetsky March’, following with a melody of marches. And without stopping he went on to play tunes by ABBA including ‘Dancing Queen’, ‘Winner takes all’, ‘Money money money’ and my favourite song ‘I have a dream’ and onto ‘Super Trouper’, ‘Thank you for the music’, and all without a single sheet of music in sight. The room was silent and a happy vibe came into the hall as he went on to play ‘Sanctuary of the Heart’ and ‘In a Monastery Garden’ stopping only for a brief chat he then went into a selection of Irving Berlin tunes. ‘Let’s Face the music and dance’, ‘Top Hat’, ‘White Tie and Tails’, and ‘How deep is the Ocean’, ‘Play a simple Melody’, ‘Cheek to Cheek’, ‘Alexander’s Rag Time Band. Maybe everyone could imagine themselves dancing in the halls of the 1930’s and 40’s. This next piece was a classical tune ‘Orpheus in the Underworld’, the stage lighting was set with reds and darker colours representing the mood of the underworld, very dramatic. The mood lifted into ‘The Nearness of You’, then a little breath before going into the last selection in Dance Time with the likes of ‘Around the World’, ‘It happened in Monterrey’, ‘Edelweiss’, ‘Goodnight Vienna’, ‘Spanish Eyes’, ‘Out of Nowhere’, ‘I can’t give you anything but Love’, ‘Change Partners’, ‘Best things in life are free’, finishing the first half with the ‘Charleston’. What a very full half it was too, with his fingers and feet going as fast as each other at times. After a good cup of tea or coffee, the second half of the Concert began in earnest with ‘Brazil’, ‘Cumana’, ‘Quando Quando’, all three keyboards were used to the full advantage of the Christie Organ. It is finger warming time as I like to call it going into ‘Can’t take my eyes off you’, ‘La Golondrina’, ‘Morning at Seven’, ‘Frenesa’, ‘Delicado’, and ‘Tico Tico’; you could feel the energy that Chris gets out of the organ. Now it is time to go to Broadway with a good selection of tunes, ‘The Best of Times’, ‘Love changes everything’, ‘I am what I am’, ‘Cabaret’, ‘Some enchanted Evening’, ‘Come follow the Band’, ‘Consider yourself’. Then came
5 ‘Wider Tocatta’, very deep and meaningful, and then ‘The Wind beneath my wings’. Next came the swinging 60’s with ‘Rock around the Clock’, ‘Mood Indigo’ and straight into ‘This Old House’; alas there was no time for dancing; bah humbug. This selection brings together the Forces sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn and singer Gracie Fields with ‘Wish me Luck as you wave me goodbye’, ‘We’ll meet again’, ‘Now is the Hour’, ‘Somebody stole my girl’. Going on to ‘12th Street Rag’, where once again his hands go faster and faster, and also his feet. Where has the time gone, its passed so quickly and now it is time to go home and for Chris to bid the audience farewell and a safe journey home. Many thanks to Chris for a great afternoon of music and no sheet music in sight. He had the Christie playing so sweetly, she is now 88 years old and still going strong. Also a big thank you to Joanne for giving me a list of the tunes Chris had played for us this afternoon. Also to Alan Wilson for stepping in for our youngest member Ella, whom he has trained to do the lighting. Hope to see you all next month on 27th February 2022. Compiled by Liz and Harry CAMERON LLOYD - DANCE 26th February 2022 We had a good attendance for the dance but had a little setback as we were informed that the bar would be unavailable. As this was on our arrival we did our best and provided squash, and told the attendees on arrival of the situation; a quick visit to the shop for their own drink of choice solved the problem. At last, after three years, we were very pleased to be able to present Cameron with his badge of office, Vice President. Cameron gave us a lovely dance, lots of variety and the dance floor was full all evening. The evening wasn’t spoilt and a good time was had by all. Compiled by Liz and Harry
6 CHRISTIAN CARTWRIGHT IN CONCERT 27th February 2022 This was Christian’s first time here at Harworth and to play our Christie Organ. He opened the concert with music from the film Brassed Off, then ‘March of the Cobblers’ followed by some rousing music from the swinging 1960’s, which had the audience swaying back and forth as these were all done in quickstep tempo. With some very different tunes like ‘Hernando’s Hideaway’, ‘Unchained Melody’, ‘Yesterday’, I only want to be with you’. There was a quick switch to music from films, ‘I Dreamed a dream’ you could have been in the theatre watching Les Miserables. Christian made the Christie sound so good as he went into a medley. ‘I don’t know why I love you but I do’, ‘My blue heaven’, ‘Ain’t she sweet’ and ‘When shadows fall’. Over the pond we go for this selection, ‘When you wish upon a star’. Christian chose the gentler notes and sounds of the Christie for that Disney classic. There was not a sound from the audience as they listened intently to the Disney tunes. And along came music from Duke Ellington, these may not be his but I’m sure someone will tell me. ‘It don’t mean a thing’, ‘Change partners and dance’, ‘Lets face the music and dance’. He also played music from Andre Rieu, Viennese Waltz ‘My Dream’. He could not have played anything better from a place like Vienna, with its Opera and Ballet theatres. Christian took a little breather and light comedy was next in the form of jokes which had the audience rocking with laughter. Back to the organ with music from slow to faster pieces to bring the first half to a close. Christian began the second half with ‘Moon River’, ‘Cannot take my eyes off you’, ‘I love you baby’, ‘Kiss me honey honey kiss me’, ‘When the rhythm starts to play dance with me’, all played in waltz time. With Ken Dodd ringing in your ears he played ‘Happiness’ and we just had to sing along to it. Then ‘Somewhere over the rainbow’. Marches came next with heads nodding and feet tapping, also clapping along. A mixture of music from the Carpenters ‘Sing, sing a song’, On top of the World’, following with Phantom of the Opera ‘Music of the Night’, ‘Be like the kettle and sing’. Dame Vera Lynn was next ‘Blue Birds over the white
7 cliffs of Dover’, ‘Who’s taking you home tonight’, going on to a variety of tunes ‘Roses are flowering in Picardy’, ‘The Carnival is over’, ‘You’re my World’ by Cilla Black, Petula Clark’s ‘Down Town’ and ‘My Way’ by old Blue Eyes. Christian took the organ down to loud applause and asking for more he brought the Christie back up for an encore which was ‘New York, New York’. There were over 70 pieces of music played this afternoon and what a great afternoon of entertainment from start to finish. Thank you Christian. There were comments; Maureen said on leaving, what a different afternoon it had been and can we have him again, and she likes his little jokes as well. This is just one of the comments we received. Look for his name on the Diary Card. Signing off Liz and Harry Compiled by Liz and Harry. REMINDER Membership fees were due for renewal in January. Please note that fees are as follows:Single Member - £5.00 Double Members - £8.00
8 Diary Dates
Saturday, 26th March 2022 COME DANCING to MATTHEW BASON 7-30 pm to 10.30 pm Tickets £6-00 per person Also why not join us on Sunday, 27th March 2022 And listen to ELIZABETH HARRISON In Concert Start 2.30 pm to 5.00 pm Members £7.00 per person Non Members £8.00 per person Saturday, 23rd April 2022 COME DANCING to KEVIN GRUNILL 7.30 pm to 10.30 pm Sunday, 24th April 2022 JOANNE POWELL IN CONCERT 2.30 pm to 5.00
Please explore your society by looking at the Website. You can find us at www.harworthchristie.org.uk Any constructive comments for inclusion on the website are always welcome.
WHY NOT TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT US, AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO COME ALONG AND ENJOY OUR DANCES AND CONCERTS.
The Bircotes and Harworth Community Hall Whitehouse Road Bircotes Doncaster DN11 8EF FREE secure parking to the rear of the Hall.
THE HARWORTH ORGAN ENTHUSIASTS was founded in December 1971 by Mr. S. Morris and a team of enthusiasts, to cater for people interested in the Preservation of the Mighty Theatre Organs of yesteryear, also incorporating the Modern Electronic Organs. THE AIMS OF THE SOCIETY ARE:To promote friendship through the common love of organ music, and to provide, on a regular basis, Organ Concerts and dances throughout the year, using both Theatre and Electronic Organs, and featuring the Star Organists from across the British Isles.
LIST OF OFFICIALS President David Redfern Chairman Mr.P Randles 33, Zetland Road Doncaster 01302-367513 Treasurer Mrs. J. Herrington 62B, Sunderland Street Tickhill Doncaster 01302-742562 Publicity Officer Mr. D Fleetwood 2, Whitehouse Court Bircotes Mob. 07985 580558 Committee Members Mr. N Clayton
Vice Presidents Andrew Nix Philip Randles Cameron Lloyd Gen. Secretary/Concert Secretary Mrs E Nicholson & Mr H Bolton 36 Suffolk Road Bircotes Doncaster 01302 745709 Mem. Secretary Mrs. A Watson 152, Nutwell Lane Armthorpe Doncaster 01302-834068 Organ Tuning and Maintenance Mr. C. Hinds 01522-526289 Mob. 07980-337972