Folly Farm Zoo, Begelly

Folly Farm Zoo, Begelly, Kilgetty, SA68 0XA

Currently no events planned at this venue

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About

4/14 Wurlitzer

English Horn, Harmonic Tuba, Diapason, Tibia I, Tibia II, Clarinet, Kinura, Orchestral Oboe, Saxophone, Gamba, Viol d’Orchestre, Viol Celeste, Flute, Vox Humana + Piano

Opus Number: 2189

Model: Style 4m Special

Current Transmission System: Uniflex

Original Location: Gaumont Cinema, Manchester

Original Opening Date: 21^st October 1935

History

1935: The Gaumont Manchester was conceived, designed and built by the Granada Theatres circuit, but just prior to opening it was sold to the Gaumont chain and opened on 21st October with Stanley Tudor at the Wurlitzer

1958: Stanley Tudors long residency came to an end.

1968: The Lancastrian Theatre Organ Trust (LTOT) was formed and the Wurlitzer was maintained and presented in regualr concerts.

1974: The cinema closed and the final concert took place on 27^th January. The LTOT made a successful bid to buy the Wurlitzer following the closure. The cinema laid dormant following the closure with no plans for development. In October the LTOT arranged with the Rank Leisure Organisation to have access to the building to make two final recordings on the Wurlizter.

1976: The Wurlitzer was removed and placed into storage.

1988: On the 6^th March a fire sadly destroyed some parts of the Wurlitzer including the console, Piano and Relays. The same year the LTOT contacted the Granada Studio Tours complex who agreed the house the Wurlitzer.

1988-1992: Restoration and installation continued. A Replica console was constructed and the use of a Devtronix relay was used.

1992: On the 13^th and 14^th November the Wurlitzer was opened in with toe events featuring Len Rawle & Tony Fenelon.

1999: The Tours complex closed and the organ was placed into storage.

2009: After many years in storage the LTOT decided to sell the organ. The buyer was Paul Kirner who installed in with Ben Snowden at Folly Farm. The organ was opened by John Mann on 2^nd May.

Chamber Layout