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Fairground Organs

1962 , Thursford (Norfolk)

Cat no. 135985

An Anglia Television report on a magnificent fairground organ.

Anglia Television presenter Dick Joice ventures deep into rural north Norfolk to the home of Mr George Cushing, a collector of steam engines and proud owner of a magnificent, orchestrally-arranged Marenghi fairground organ. Interviewed by Joice, Cushing talks about purchasing the organ from a fairground in Ireland and its difficult transportation via sea and road, as well as discussing his love for organ music and the popularity of Sunday organ performances. Maintenance and tuning is carried out by Mr Victor Chiappa, whose company also cuts organ music rolls, and is the last of its kind in Britain. Heading to Chiappa's organ works in London's Clerkenwell, Joice interviews him about his work in a business started by his grandfather, who moved to London from Paris in 1864. Chiappa also discusses the impact of amplified sound and the creation of new organ arrangements, before Joice visits other parts of the organ works, where Chiappa's son helps to recondition carved figures, and his daughter is involved in the creation of new music rolls. Returning to Thursford, Joice takes a closer look at Cushing's mammoth organ, with steam power now replaced by electricity as it plays a selection from its wide ranging library of music.

Featured Buildings

Chiappa Ltd (Organ Works)

Keywords

Fairgrounds; Music; Organs

Other Places

Clerkenwell, Greater London

Background Information

Cushing's extensive collection of steam engines and fairground attractions became the Thursford Collection after Cushing established a charitable fund in 1976 to avoid the collection being split up after his death. Chiappa's company continued operating after the death of Victor in 1993, and was run by his son Albert, who himself died in 2008. The family-run company continues to operate today.

  • Production company : Anglia Television

  • Presenter : Dick Joice

Manifestations

Fairground Organs

Copyright restrictions apply.

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