Hi Lee. Thanks so much for your generous comment. I’m afraid I don’t have any pictures to hand of the Welling Granada. Those that I do are on 35mm ‘slides’, and stored somewhere where in the house. Unfortunately, due to severe arthritis I’m not now able to access them. However, I have a picture of me in those days (about 1968/69) ‘playing’ the Wurlitzer organ in the neighbouring Granada theatre, in Woolwich. I fully appreciate this is all about the theatre, and not about me, but it might still possibly be of interest? The Woolwich theatre was far more ornate than Welling, and is now a church. The current owners have spent a fortune in restoring the decorative scheme of the auditorium and ‘Hall of Mirrors’, although clearly necessary alterations have been made to make it suitable for its new use.
My Father was present at the opening night in 1938. Some 30 years later I used to play the Wurlitzer for ‘private practice’ on the occasional Saturday morning. A lovely organ, but by then not in the best of condition. I heard about the resident’s complaint and the cancellation of the Sunday morning concerts, and can say that it was a spurious complaint. The organ could be heard outside the theatre, but only very faintly. In no way could it be have been realistically deemed ‘a nuisance’ - even when someone as hopeless as I was playing it!! Happy memories of days with can never return. I was privileged to play the organ, and will always remember those experiences with great gratitude.
Hi Lee. Thanks so much for your generous comment. I’m afraid I don’t have any pictures to hand of the Welling Granada. Those that I do are on 35mm ‘slides’, and stored somewhere where in the house. Unfortunately, due to severe arthritis I’m not now able to access them. However, I have a picture of me in those days (about 1968/69) ‘playing’ the Wurlitzer organ in the neighbouring Granada theatre, in Woolwich. I fully appreciate this is all about the theatre, and not about me, but it might still possibly be of interest? The Woolwich theatre was far more ornate than Welling, and is now a church. The current owners have spent a fortune in restoring the decorative scheme of the auditorium and ‘Hall of Mirrors’, although clearly necessary alterations have been made to make it suitable for its new use.
All good wishes and my kindest regards.
Peter A :) :) :)_
My Father was present at the opening night in 1938. Some 30 years later I used to play the Wurlitzer for ‘private practice’ on the occasional Saturday morning. A lovely organ, but by then not in the best of condition. I heard about the resident’s complaint and the cancellation of the Sunday morning concerts, and can say that it was a spurious complaint. The organ could be heard outside the theatre, but only very faintly. In no way could it be have been realistically deemed ‘a nuisance’ - even when someone as hopeless as I was playing it!! Happy memories of days with can never return. I was privileged to play the organ, and will always remember those experiences with great gratitude.