News : Roundswell & Sticklepath

In 1962 the Hammond Company of America decided to have a commercial seminar for the music trade to promote Hammond Electronic organs. This took place in Blackpool and a Mr H.W.Whiting who was the proprietor of “Nicklins Music Shop” on The Square in Barnstaple attended. In 1963 he introduced informal meetings for the owners of Hammond Electronic Organs at his shop actively supported by his staff - a Mrs Derges and a Mr Peter Corney, and so the Barnstaple group of the Hammond Organ Society was formed. A committee was created under the chairmanship of Mr Carl Jennings, Mr Frayne become Hon Treasurer and Mrs Una Arnold Hon Secretary (still a current member).

The first meetings were held in the shop, so advantage could be taken to discuss and play various instruments that were on display and for sale. The first highlight evenings were in the nature of special promotions arranged with different organ companies/manufactures. However, on Monday 12th April 1965, “The Queens Hall”, now the Queens Theatre presented an “Hammond Organ Showcase” with Keith Beckingham, and it is very likely that this demonstration/concert brought greater organ awareness to the town and in particular to the newly formed Hammond Organ Society at Nicklins.

Such was the interest in the Society at this time that it was decided to hold public concerts, and in the autumn of 1965, three were arranged at the Imperial Hotel which featured Dudley Savage, David Nicholas and George Blackmore respectively. “Vespers” was a name given to interval music provided my the members. The proprietor of “The Three Bears” café - a Mrs Garland - who herself was a member, provided refreshments. There is also record of the fact that in 1976 organ demonstrations were arranged at The Braunton Road Motel now the Brend Barnstaple Hotel.

The building of the Sainsburys complex at Roundswell gave the club the opportunity to take advantage of the community Centre for its larger public concerts which have proved to be very popular. From the very beginning the club has mainly met on a fortnightly basis. More recently club member Gordon Dockings has led a group of accordionists.  In addition Maurice Benbow and Roy Crabb brought the sound of the “Big Band” being members of the Barnstaple Concert and Cedars Showband.

The Club is still very much active today under the chairmanship of Alec Thorne who is supported by an enthusiastic committee including Clive Free who is currently responsible for programme planning and the successful Roundswell concerts.