Hello Jeremy, Thanks for the comment about emailing the OGN. As Treasurer I am always looking to cut costs wherever possible. The Steering Committee have discussed sending the OGN by email before and have decided against it. A majority, but not all members have an email address and a small minority of those who have supplied one do not wish to be contacted. We therefore have to print a hard copy of the OGN for those without email and so have decided not to email to anyone, using post instead. A minimum print run for the OGN is 250 copies. If we emailed the OGN to the majority, we would be left with a hefty slice of the print run left over. If we were to move to emailing individual copies, it would, for the purpose of posting OGNs to those left, be a logistical nightmare for our posting team. So, Jeremy, many thanks for the suggestion but for the foreseeable you will receive OGN via the post with a 2nd class large letter stamp costing 96p, which is included in your membership fee.

I've just received my Organ Grinders' News and noticed that it was posted as a Large Letter costing £1.29. To save the Association money I would be happy to get OGN by e-Mail. Can this be arranged? I get a similar sized newsletter from the Royal Navy Amateur Radio Society by eMail.

Hi.

I have a Stuber street busking organ which has been sat in my attic for some considerable time. I would like to sell it to someone who would make good use of it. I’m currently making sure it’s all up and running correctly. I’ve replaced the drive belt (is it seemed a bit stiff) but I think there’s some issues with the pipes? Any help in how to best broach this would be appreciated. Thanks Chris 07723 592433

Hello Olive. So sorry to hear Dave has passed away. The showman's hymn is "God be with you till we meet again" written by Jeremiah Rankin.
Hope this helps.

Please can you help me? My husband David Mason a long time member of your association owned and played a Tueman book organ, he passed away very recently. He had always said he wanted The Showman's Hymn at his funeral. Unfortunately I can find no reference to it, it probably goes under another name. Can you help? In the future I will need advice on the sale of his organ if you can advise me.
Kind regards
Olive Mason

I posted my insurance renewal on Thursday evening. The documentation arrived Saturday morning. Very impressive!

I would like to let you know, Gerry Woods has passed away. Gerry was a member of your club for many years. I also was a member, and used to help Gerry with the playing of his Mc Carthy organ. r i p Gerry.

Greetings Organeeers! Thank you for accepting me into your illustious group, If I may introduce myself? My name is Martin Wood and my wife is Sue, I am the Town Crier for Shrewsbury and, at 7ft 2ins tall, I am the Worlds tallest town crier. I do not have an organ at the moment, Sob, sob, But I am actively looking for one that would be suitable for my height, (unless I have to get onto bended knees)
Hopefully, if this pandemic clears off pretty soon, I will get the chance to meet up with you at an event. Is there any members in the Shropshire area?
Best wishes for a healthy 2021, Martin.

PRS licence is aimed at anybody who plays music in a public place to help them make money, other than tunes that have no copy right, most of these come into the nursery rhyme category. For small organ grinders it is a very grey area unless they are collecting for their own fag money or holiday fund, but where does having a voluntary donation into a charity bucket stand ? For many years when I was attending fairs and selling my organ plans I had a PRS license, Eventually the main purpose at fairs was to enjoy myself and socialize with fellow enthusiasts, so I did not return the renewal for PRS, no problem until the following year when the renewal came including last years arrears and a very theatening pay this or else clause. The following year when the renewal arrived my wife rang them and explained that we were not in it to make ourselves money and was told in that case you do not need it and we were crossed of their mailing list. Ask where the money paid goes to !!!

Hi Tom, Glad to be of help. You can find the Performing Rights Society on line. You will find they are very inefficient in collecting yearly payments. My last payment was in September 2019 and have not had a reminder since, not that I'm complaining about that. It might be because nothing has been going on this year. I have not taken my organs out once this year.
Be sure they only sign you up for the bare minimum, my last payment cost me £40.80. Hope that helps.
Regards Terry