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Posted by Editor on 3rd November 2009 at 03:31 PM
Peel Green's hidden gem - The Theatre Organ Heritage Centre, Part 1
by Tony Flynn and Tom Rodgers

Hidden away on an unassuming-looking backstreet in Peel Green lies the Eccles Organ Heritage Society: it is based in the annexe to Peel Green Methodist Church on Alexandra Road, Eccles.

The Society purchased the building from the Church in 2002, and volunteers spent the next three years clearing and renovating the building which opened in 2006.

It celebrates the art of the theatre organ - an instrument now sadly gone from cinemas and theatres across the UK. And it packs out every week! Over 100 people come to listen to the different live organists invited to play weekly at the former derelict storage room.

The downstairs museum - which we look at in part two - holds the world's largest collection of Robert Hope-Jones memorabilia. Hope-Jones invented the Wurlitzer organ with all of its fabulous pipes, springs, swells and tabs.

The Wurlitzer Organ on stage is an Opus 1664 dating from 1927, and came from The Gaumont Cinema, Dingle, Liverpool.

Interviewees here are Don Hyde, the Secretary of the Theatre Organ Trust, audience members Mike from Nantwich, Cheshire, and Tom Marsden from Stretford.



Related Links

Watch Part 2 click here
Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  4th December 2009
NEVER KNEW IT WAS THERE,NOW LIVING IN CORNWALL AND WILL VISIT THE MUSEUM WHEN I NEXT GO NORTH, GOOD LUCK WITH IT, AL

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  13th November 2009
This is so good! Such a great place by the looks of things!

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  11th November 2009
This is a great story!, I had heard of this building but have never got round to calling in, you have certainly changed my mind, it looks wonderful, I wonder how many other people are aware of this hidden gem nestling away in Peel Green. I also looked at part two and the story about Robert Hope Jones, again fascinating stuff, it would be a good idea for school children to visit the Theatre so they can learn more about their history.

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