After a break of over two and a half years due to the Coronavirus pandemic, and after much discussion and consideration by the committee, we decided a cautious autumn concert programme could go ahead (pandemic permitting).
During the pandemic The Woking Leisure Centre had been closed for long periods, preventing any access, even for maintenance, and when it did reopen it was used as a vaccination centre. Therefore we were unable to resume concerts as soon as we’d have liked to have done. Here’s Len (right) with the consensus of the June committee meeting.
Our resumption show was just two days after HM Queen Elizabeth II sadly passed away on 8th September, but we decided to go ahead with a suitably respectful programme. Two of our own trustees, Len Rawle MBE and Michael Wooldridge, performed the show, which was well received and well attended.
Len welcoming the audience back to Woking after the long break.
Here’s Michael addressing the audience with one of the official photo’s of HM released by Buckingham Palace on the screen.
Michael and Len after the show.
In October a good friend of the Woking Wurlitzer, Andrew Nix, returned to play something for everyone.
November saw us revisit the silent movie era, when 2017 UK Young Theatre Organist of the Year – Seniors winner Aaron Hawthorne bought “Nosferatu – A Symphony of Horror” to our audience. The film, itself 100-years old in 2022, is the unofficial adaptation of Bram Stoker’s 1987 novel Dracula.
Aaron stopped off at Woking for the last concert of his UK+ tour.
After the film Aaron took the time to answer questions about the Woking Wurlitzer, and theatre organs generally.
Before the Christmas Open House, Chairman Nick and Trustee Keith visited Maureen Sibley to present her with a floral ‘thank you’ for all the hard work she, and her late husband Barry, did on our local poster publicity over the years. As none of the Chapter committee live in Surrey, let alone Woking, getting the word out is quite a challenge for the team.
As our concerts and everything associated with them have to be planned and booked months in advance, we were uncertain how things would be come December as it very much depended on what course the pandemic had taken by then. Therefore, hosting our usual Christmas show was too much of a risk, so we held a Festive Open House instead. We were not certain how this would be received, but we were delighted when over 50 people attended, enjoyed mulled wine, tea, coffee, mince pies and biscuits, a friendly chat and and some lovely music.
Michael fronted the event, with support from Len. Members of the audience were invited up to play the Wonderful Woking Wurlitzer, and we were in for some very pleasant surprises.
First up was 14-year old Jack Morton who had never played The Woking Wurlitzer organ before. After a brief overview from Michael, Jack amazed the audience with some excellent playing. Jack had played other theatre organs and church organs before, and has encyclopedic knowledge of pipe organs. We hope to see more of Jack in the future.
Next up was the man behind The Organist Encores, Damon Cox, who relished the opportunity to play our wonderful instrument.
Our last guest player was Richard Cole, another long standing friend of our Chapter and who usually comperes our Christmas show. Richard is no stranger to a large theatre organ, and this was amply demonstrated by his skilled playing.
