A rare musical treat is in store for visitors to the F O P S North West Group Rally in Victoria Park Widnes on the 26th/27th September. You can view a video filmed by Stuart Mulcrow at the Masham Rally 2009 HERE

Making its first appearance in the North West will be the ex Becquarts newly restored 98 Key Gaudin Organ owned by the Show Organ Society of Chester–le-Street after undergoing many years restoration work by enthusiasts Alan Curry and Norman Smith with the elaborate art work decoration being completed by artist Vicky Postlethwaite.

The organ was first discovered in a derelict condition by Derrick Londrigan of Manchester in a Brussels showman’s store in 1964 while on a visit to Belgium to view some organs that are now in George Cushing’s Thursford collection..

George Parmley who was an Auto Electrician /Engineer and the custodian of Whites Gavioli Organ at that time was unsure how long his arrangement would last with showman Jack Rhehorn from Barry Island, South Wales who was the owner of the Gavioli and wanted to acquire an Organ that would be his own. George contacted Derrick to enquire if he knew of any Organs for sale and Derrick told him about the Gaudin he had seen in Becquart’s store in Brussels.

Arrangements were made for George to travel from Chester-le-Street to Doncaster by Rail to join Derrick for the journey to Belgium via the air ferry operating at that time from South end on Sea to Brussels with a view to purchasing the Gaudin..

The deal was done and George organised the shipment to England, the Organ was taken to Preston’s for restoration work and was eventually housed in an ex NCB Display vehicle.

It was rallied and was once again put in storage in the North East for further restoration work to be carried out.

Alan and Norman have spent the last few years painstakingly restoring every piece of the organ and it is now back to its original impressive sound. And is housed in a modern trailer for easy transportation.