The Magic Flute at the Fete

The organ playing outside Gee Cross Fete this year was the "Magic Flute", a 105 note concert organ.

According to the Melody Man website

This concert organ was built by David Leach of Huddersfield and Ian Goodwin of Stockport between 1995 and 1998. It was first played in Anglesey in 1998.

It was built from new to play from a MIDI system using a slightly modified DECAP 105 note scale. Electro-magnets take the place of pneumatics, except on the percussion.

David's workshop was part of Springwood Music Workshops in central Huddersfield. The building formerly housed Conacher's cinema organ works and latterly, John Willis had his church organ business there.

The organ contains 380 pipes which are a mixture of new and reclaimed pipework, the latter having been sourced and restored from the massive stocks stored at Springwood. Apart from the 12 metal Tromba reed pipes, all the pipework is of the flue type.

Wind is supplied by two blowers and three regulators accurately set the wind pressure for different sections of the organ.

The organ was sold to Duncan Mallows in the Spring of 2006. During this year, we have been commemorating the 250th anniversary of the birth of Mozart. It therefore seemed appropriate to name the organ "THE MAGIC FLUTE".

There is a brief video of the organ at the fete on Hyde DP Xtra.

More of my photographs from this year's fete and earlier ones can be found at Gee Cross Fete 2009.