Who
are we?
The West Lancs Cinema Organ Trust (WeLCOT) has been formed as a charity to preserve the Compton Cinema Organ, originally installed in the Grand Cinema, Lord Street, Southport in 1938.
The organ is a well travelled one!
After being removed from the cinema in the 1960’s, the organ spent some years in Cheetham Hill Methodist Church. When that building closed, it was re-installed in an organ studio at Darcy Lever outside Bolton. Then, after a few years, it moved again to an organ studio in Hyde. In 1985, it was moved to Chorley Town Hall, where for 20 years it played for concerts and dances. In 2006, Chorley Council decided that they no longer wanted an organ in their building, and the organ was once again on the move—this time to storage. WeLCOT are a group of enthusiasts who are working to return the organ to the Southport area, so that once again it can entertain audiences in West Lancashire.
What is a Cinema Organ?
In the early 1900’s, silent movies were accompanied by a pianist, or in larger cinemas, by a small orchestra. In these larger buildings, the cinema owner needed a musical instrument to cover for the orchestra when they took their break.
The sound of a cinema organ is made by organ pipes |
The cinema organ's keyboards |
There are real drums in a cinema organ |
Cinema Organs were specially designed to mimic traditional orchestral instruments, and were installed throughout the country. When ‘talkies’ came along in 1929, the orchestras were disbanded, but the organs remained as a feature to play music during the intervals.
The BBC used to broadcast music played on the cinema organ virtually every day. The most famous cinema organ is in Blackpool Tower, and is still used today to entertain the holiday-makers.
Where is the Compton Organ’s New Home to be?
The Village Hall Committee are working with the West Lancashire Cinema Organ Trust, to attempt to install the Compton Cinema Organ, in Hesketh Bank’s Village Hall. The two organisations are working hard to save one of the last West Lancashire organs, and are looking forward to the time when this unique form of music can once again entertain local people.
Ballroom and Sequence Dancing
Once a month, All Saints Hall in Hesketh Bank is used to hold a dance evening. Until the Compton is playing again in the Southport area, an electronic instrument is used to provide music for dancing. Leaders Andrew and Susan, and musician Charles Brown, will be pleased to welcome you to the event. During the evening we do dances to suit all tastes - Ballroom, Latin, Popular Sequence and Old Tyme. If you have forgotten the steps for the sequence dances, don’t worry, you can always follow the couple in front!
The monthly dancing are held at All Saints Church Hall, Hesketh Bank. Tickets are £5 in advance (£6 on the door, if available). Admission includes a plated supper (bring your own drinks), See the Hesketh Bank Events page for details of forthcoming dances. Please contact Andrew on 01772 812296 for advance tickets and more information.
2009 Ballroom Dance Dates
(All dances 7.30pm to 11.30 pm)
Saturday 17th October
Saturday 21st November
Saturday 19th December
2010 Ballroom Dance Dates
(All dances 7.30pm to 11.30 pm)
Saturday 16th January
Saturday 20th February
Saturday 20th March
Saturday 17th April
Saturday 15th May
Saturday 19th June
July – NO DANCE
Saturday 21st August
Saturday 18th September
Saturday 16th October
Saturday 20th November
Saturday 18th December |
More Information
For news about the organ, or to get involved with the project, please contact Andrew on 01772 812296
