Fantastic fairground organ to entertain Bromsgrove

See the world’s largest travelling concert organ in action at Bromsgrove’s Recreation Ground next week.

The giant 32-tonne, 118-key fairground organ “Victory” will play at the town centre park off Recreation Road, Bromsgrove from 10am on Thursday August 12.

The organ is to stop off for a day at Bromsgrove’s Recreation Ground on its journey from its home in Holland to Hanbury Vintage Transport Show over the following weekend.

Huw Moseley, Bromsgrove District Council’s arts development and special events officer said: “It’s a rare chance to see such an excellent example of a classic pipe organ in action, so I am pleased to be able to invite people to come and take a look on the Recreation Ground on Thursday, before it goes off to the Hanbury Vintage Transport Show – we are always open to working with local providers to support community events.”

Victory was unveiled in 2003 by Belgian organ builder Johnny Verbeeck, the fourth generation of his family to build and repair organs since 1884 in both Belgium and briefly on these shores in Birmingham during the inter-war years.

Its wide repertoire ranges from Mozart and Rossini to Tom Jones, Edith Piaf and Queen, with tunes from well known films and musicals too – even Saturday Night Fever, James Bond and The Blues Brothers.

Victory is owned by Dutch enthusiasts Willem and Monique Kelders. For more information on this incredible fairground organ, which can be seen as the featured photograph on the Wikipedia page for “fairground organ”, go online: http://www.victoryontour.com/.

For special events in the Bromsgrove District and ideas for arts development, please contact Bromsgrove District Council on 01527 881288 or email leisureandculture@bromsgrove.gov.uk.

Hanbury Vintage Transport Show, August 13-15, behind the Vernon Arms on the B4090 Droitwich Road, Hanbury, Worcestershire. B60 4DB (AA signposted). Event promoter’s website: http://www.shakespearesrally.com/.