FOREWORD

by Alan Ashton

Back in the far off days when the BBC recognised popular theatre organ music, enthusiasts were catered for on a National basis by THE ORGANIST ENTERTAINS, the ‘brainchild’ of ‘yer old Organ Grinder – Robin Richmond. 

I recall him saying that he was unable to read out all the concert diary dates for the plethora of Organ Clubs, Societies and Preservation Groups, and taking note that the (then) BBC Radio Manchester did not have an organ music programme in its local schedules I saw, what I hoped was an opportunity to advance my Hospital Broadcast experience to a wider audience.  I submitted a pilot programme and was immediately offered a trial 13 week series in 1971.

It remained an almost continuous association for the best part of 17 years...a record for such a programme on Local Radio. Very soon other Local BBC Radio Stations in and around the Country produced their own versions, and in some areas of the NW, enthusiasts could, in addition to the weekly editions of THE ORGANIST ENTERTAINS on BBC Radio 2, pick up PEDAL, PERCUSSION & PIPES (Manchester) ORGAN SHOWCASE (Eric Lord on BBC Blackburn) and AT THE CONSOLE (Arnold Loxam & Frank Hare on BBC Leeds).

The one thing that the Local stations had in their favour was they were only too happy to announce the local Concert Diary dates, but more importantly give broadcasting opportunities to new and up and coming stars of the future with, I guess my claim to fame being that of the future presenter of THE ORGANIST ENTERTAINS, Nigel Ogden.

See the LINKS page for more about Alan, including his monthly podcasts on
ORGAN 1st RADIO