November/December 2010. Hello everyone Here I am once again, putting together the latest edition of your newsletter, and hopefully keeping you up to date with the happenings here at Harworth. As you can see from the month at the top of the page, we are nearly at the end of yet another year, where does the time go to, it doesnt seem two minutes since I was looking forward to a new caravanning season starting at Easter time, and here we are some seven months later, thinking of draining the caravan off for the winter. We have started this season off with a couple of very good weekends featuring Matthew Bason, Charles Brown and Nicholas Martin, more about these events later. We also held our Annual General meeting during September, so I shall also give you an update on that in this issue. Coming up next month we shall see the return visit of that little chatterbox from Lancashire, Elizabeth Harrison, lots of very endearing chat, but also lots of very good music. The last time she came I was amazed to get to know just how many interests she has, from the Garden Centre, to Farming, Lorry driving, Coach driving, and collecting Flower Grader dolls and memorabilia. I am sure you are looking forward to her return as much as we are. Hope to see you there. Mick Mason
Diary Dates November 27th/28th
ELIZABETH HARRISON WEEKEND Dance and Concert December 11th THE CHRISTMAS BUFFET DANCE With SALLY TAYLOR
(Please note change of date, not as on Dairy Card)
December 19th THE CHRISTMAS CONCERT With ANDREW NIX. The Annual General Meeting 19th September 2010.
I am very pleased to be able to say that we had a very good and improved turnout for this years AGM. In fact it equated to around half of the total membership number, which was very encouraging. As in previous years, I was very happy to be able to once again report that we had enjoyed another good year with the club, this being despite the disruption we suffered when the parent company next door went belly up towards the end of the 2008/09 season. Many good weekends were enjoyed by the membership with attendances at both dances and concerts remaining fairly consistent with previous years, with maybe one exception, that being the visit of John Barnett. It coincided with the England World Cup on the TV, and whether this had any
bearing on the poor attendance or not we will never know, the only thing I can say on this matter is that if you stayed at home to watch that debacle, then sorry, but you got your just desserts. Membership had improved slightly despite losing a few, but gaining a few to counteract this. Because of the above, our Treasurer Joan was able to give us a very favourable report, and was happy to inform everyone that we were able to hold our prices at the present level at least for the coming season. A bonus on this years balance sheet was the fact that the security deposit we provided to get the electric re-connected has now been repaid, and while it was technically our money anyway, it was nice to see it back in our accounts instead of the electricity company. During the Election of Committee and Officials, the meeting was informed that only one member of the committee had decided to step down, and that was John Palmer, John had decided earlier in the year, that he needed to step back a little. Obviously John is a big loss to the committee, for not only did he come along on Thursday morning and help with any jobs that needed doing, for a number of years after Arthur Peats retirement, he was the society Treasurer. I am very pleased to say that after the AGM, the new committee had a discussion and decided to offer John an Honorary Life Membership as our way of saying thank you for his involvement, I am also very pleased to say that John has accepted this offer. While it was in no way a means of replacing John, I proposed that Scott Harrison, the young man who runs the Bar, be elected on to the committee, this proposal was accepted unanimously. Ultimately, all other positions on the committee remain the same. Following the death of our President Arnold Loxam, it was obvious that we would need to appoint a new President, but out of reverence to Arnolds memory, the committee decided that

we would leave it in abeyance until the AGM. Various ideas were put forward as to how we would choose a President, but in the end the committee made the choice, and after offering the post, I am now delighted to tell everyone that our new President is David Redfern. A very fitting appointment in my opinion as over the years, David has been a tremendous to the club, and if we have ever been stuck for an organist, a phone call to David was all that was required should he be available. With David being promoted from Vice to President, it gave us the ideal opportunity to appoint an additional Vice President, and again I am delighted to tell you all that this position was offered and accepted by our good friend Philip Randles. Like David, Philip has supported us here at Harworth for many years so his appointment is well deserved. I have to say that both appointments were kept completely secret, so that it could be a nice surprise for Brenda and Peter Randles. Thank you David and Philip for accepting and for keeping it quiet for a number of months. Various other matters were obviously discussed in the meeting, but I given you the important stuff. After a cup of tea and a chat, we were entertained by Sally Taylor for a Mini Concert. Again, I would like to thank everyone who made the effort to attend on the 19th. Mick Mason.
The Matthew Bason Weekend 25/26 September It was nice to see Matthew back at Harworth, and this time in a much better state of health, if you remember, last year he played the dance absolutely full of cold. As per usual, he gave us a very entertaining evening on the Saturday, playing music and tempos to suit all tastes. For the concert, he began with his sig. tune Happy days are here again, and then went into a selection which included Birth of the Blues, Button up your Overcoat, Take the A Train, Chattanooga Choo Choo, Secret Love, Japanese Sandman, and Mister Sandman. Matthew then moved over to the Yamaha D85, kindly donated to us by Kevin Grunill, to play for us Music Box Dancer, Lonely Shepherd, Tico Tico, and Amazing Grace. Christie again and Oh, What a Beautiful Morning, Surrey with the Fringe on top, Dont throw Bouquets at me, Oklahoma, Almost like being in Love, When I fall in Love, Fly me to the Moon, and Everything Stops for Tea, which it did because it was now interval time. INTERVAL. Starting with the Christie again for the second half, Matthew gave us Anything Goes, Night and Day, and Ive got you under my skin. A Cole Porter Medley. Next was True Love and Delightful De-Lovely. Then it was time for audience participation with a short quiz, Name the Instruments:- The tunes were Marching STRINGS, CLARINET Polka, BUGLE call Rag, and old PIANO Rag, did you get them on the day ?. D85 time again for Crazy and music from the Lord Rockingham era and Six Five Special, do you remember Cherry Wainer on organ.?

Starting to wind up now for the finale with True Love Ways, Matchstick Men, Cant Live without You, Amarillo, I Only want to be with You, Hoots Mon, Those were the Days, Youre my World, and finally back to his sig. tune Happy Days are here again. I can only agree with Alan who writes Brilliant Weekend, and Heres to the next time.

The Charles Brown Dance

23rd October
It seems such a long time since Charles came to play for us, but as usual, he was at his best both on the Christie and his Tyros 2 and Keyboard. It is absolutely amazing how he packs all his equipment into the back of his Volvo Estate. As with Matthew, Charles gave us dance tempos to suit everybody, and I am sure everyone went home happy. Many Thanks once again to you Charles for a very enjoyable evening. Mick The Nicholas Martin Concert 24th October.
Nicholas should have visited us last year during our period of closure, so it was great to see him today, and what a concert worth waiting for. Alan writes Wow, I say Fabulous. There was so much music crammed in today that I am simply going to list the tunes for you. To start with, the sig. tune Hey, look me over, and then the marathon started. Walk in the Black Forest, China Tea, Side Saddle, Poor People of Paris, Mack the Knife, World is waiting
for the Sunshine, The Legend of the Glass Mountain, A Bridge Too Far, Limelight, Cavatina, 633 Squadron, and Aces High, and that was just for starters. Another marathon of music to take us to the interval with Highland Cathedral, Make me a Channel of your Peace, The Old Pianna Rag, Maple Leaf Rag, Cavallieria Rusticana, Skaters Waltz, Muskrat Ramble, Old Comrades, Parade of the Tin Soldiers, Cherokee, and Tiger Rag mingled with Vidors Tocatta. Lets have a cuppa. INTERVAL More of the same for the second half :- I do like to be beside the seaside, Blackpool Belle, Little Stick of Blackpool Rock, When Im cleaning windows, and Leaning on a Lamp Post. Pal of my Cradle Days, Blue Tango, Marta, Please Release Me, La Vie en Rose, The Second Waltz, All the Things you are, Long ago and Far Away, Shall we Dance, Avalon, Whispering, Well Gather Lilacs, and I Know why and so do you. Again it was time to start winding it up, but not before Moonlight Serenade, Wedding of the Painted Doll, Crazy, Be My Love, Misty, For all we Know, The Very Thought of you, Fascination, One Night of Love, Riley, Ace of Spades, One Moment in time, Dam Busters, Ill see you in my Dreams, 12th Street Rag, Somebody Stole My Girl, Land of Hope and Glory, and Youll Never Walk Alone. All that music and not a piece of music in sight, what a memory, what a performance, and what a weekend to look forward too when Nicholas returns in May for the Dance and Concert. All the above topped off with one of our best attendances for quite some time, Brilliant. Reported by Alan Clayton Compiled By Mick Mason

On behalf of everyone involved with the Harworth Christie Organ Enthusiasts, may we wish you all:-
A JOYFUL and MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY, HEALTHY, AND PEACEFUL NEW YEAR IN 2011.

OrganFax Yamaha : A potted history - 1

OrganFax.co.uk Article

YAMAHA

A POTTED HISTORY

Ask anyone on a high street in the UK what the word Yamaha means to them and chances are you will hear motorbikes mentioned many times. Yet when Mr Torakusu Yamaha started his company in the summer of 1887 it was actually based on a musical instrument. Music has always been at the heart of the company and although the original tree has branched out in many different directions (including the famous motorcycle) music is still at the centre of the business. Lets follow the path that has led Yamaha to where we are today. I think you may be surprised by what you read. decides to produce more and in 1892 he receives his first export order (78 organs) from South-east Asia. His success continues and in 1892, Nippon Gakki Co. Ltd. is established - with Torakusu Yamaha as president.

1914 - Harmonicas

In what I imagine must have been a spin-off from the reed organ technology Yamaha started exporting harmonicas worldwide.

1932 - Pipe organs

I was quite surprised to learn that Yamaha began investigating pipe organ technology as early as 1932. In my mind, Id always tied the pipe organ to its use in the churches of the western world. However, it seems that I was wrong because the Magna Organ was launched in 1935.

1900 - Pianos

I bet you didnt expect that Yes, in 1900 Yamaha started to compete in the piano market. The company began by producing modest upright pianos but quickly expanded, with the creation of its first grand piano just two years later. By 1904 the success of Yamahas musical instruments was recognised across the world when both a piano and an organ were awarded the Honorary Grand Prize at the St. Louis Worlds Fair.

1887 - Reed organs

Torakusu Yamaha builds a reed organ. It is so well received he
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OrganFax Yamaha : A potted history - 2

1942 - Guitars

The first Yamaha acoustic guitar was introduced in 1942. Yamaha guitars (like so many of the companys musical instruments) are now regarded as being amongst the finest in the world.
starting with the YTR-1, its first trumpet. Forty years later, in the year 2005, Yamaha was celebrating production of its 10 millionth wind instrument. Quite an achievement!
- one that would ultimately lead to the demise of the Electone in the western world.

1959 - Electronic organs

The D-1 is launched - and the Yamaha Electone is here at last. Of course the early Yamaha electronic organs had stiff competition particularly from the American brands Hammond and Lowrey who would continue to dominate this area until 1980. During the interim period, however, Yamaha earned an invaluable reputation for reliability that would serve them well when its time finally arrived.

1980 - Electronic organ

Perversely, 1980 is also the year the D85 Electone was launched an instrument that would take Yamaha to the number one spot in the organ world for the first time.

1966 Electric guitars

This was the year that saw the introduction of the SG series electric guitars and drums. Like its acoustic counterpart, Yamahas guitars have built one of the strongest reputations in the industry.
1983 - Clavinova and DX Synth
This was an important year for Yamahas music business because the DX synthesizer took the professional music world by storm with the introduction of FM technology. In the same year the Clavinova digital piano made its first appearance history in the making.
1959 - Yamaha Music Schools
Tuition within the Yamaha Music School system originally revolved around the Electone organ - the most popular instrument of its day. Today though, the school has evolved into an academy offering tuition on a wide variety of instruments.

Other projects

Furniture
Whilst all this activity was going on in the music world, things were developing elsewhere too. The woodworking expertise gained in the manufacture of the early reed organs was put to use in 1903 when Yamaha began production of fine furniture - although full-scale manufacture didnt get underway until 1975.
1965/66 - Woodwind, electric guitars and drums
In 1903 the company had opened its first acoustics research room and in 1965 Yamaha began to branch into other instruments -
1980 - Electronic keyboard
Although Yamaha had forayed into the area of professional synthesizers with the CSY-1 in 1974, the portable keyboard PortaSound didnt appear until the end of 1980 paving the way for a revolution in home music making

OrganFax Yamaha : A potted history - 3
Readers who are old enough to have seen some of my early shows on Yamaha organs may remember me telling audiences about the Yamaha forests - because it was a proud boast of the company in the early years that everything was home grown.
1982: Carbon composite golf clubs 1991: The worlds first forged titanium golf clubs. It would appear, if judged by the list above, that after the mid 1980s everything stopped at Yamaha. Ive set out what I see as the most important milestones in the companys musical history - but this, of course, was just the beginning. The technological developments weve witnessed since the first portable keyboards and Clavinovas were launched have been staggering to say the least - and they have changed the way keyboard players think about, and perform, their music. I could easily extend the list to give a record of all these developments but the foundations are there for all to see. If youre interested enough to find out more you can find a full chronology at http://www.global.yamaha.com/a bout/corporate/history/ Glyn Madden, The Yamaha Club 2009 OrganFax.co.uk

Record players:

The Roaring 20s era is often defined in television drama by the popularity of the phonograph (record player to you and me) and here too Yamaha forged ahead when they introduced a high quality hand wound product. (Oh I remember it as if it were yesterday!!) The 1950s is another era largely defined by its music - and whilst the western world hopped to the sound of the jukebox Yamaha was developing its first hi-fi player introducing a technology that would lead it firmly into the 1960s race for audio perfection. The first line of hi-fi stereos was marketed in 1968.

Motorcycles:

Yes - here they are at last. The first Yamaha motorbike (the YA-1) was produced in 1954, more than half a century after the first organ! It is written that the venture was directly related to the companys expertise in metallurgical technologies (possibly developed whilst manufacturing pipe organs). In the first year 125 bikes were made - but the success of the new line led, just one year later, to the founding of the Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd.

Sports equipment:

1959: Archery equipment 1961: Skis 1961: Tennis rackets