Charity concert to celebrate 30 years of music

The Regis Organ and Keyboard Club reached its anniversary with one of the largest memberships in its history.

Some of the 160 or so enthusiasts will be present to enjoy the thriving club's latest charity concert.

This takes place next Wednesdayat the Jubilee Hall in Middleton. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Admission is 5 for visitors.

Club chairman John Scott and his wife Sue, the deputy chairman, will be playing an Orla GT9000 to raise funds for the Sussex Snowdrop Trust's work with seriously ill children.

The concert continues a series begun in 1989 by Mr Scott and original member David Boddy in memory of the club's joint founder, Stan Peffer. An average of 1,000 has been raised each year for a local good cause.

Felpham resident Mr Scott said: 'People enjoy listening to organ sounds because the modern organ can produce all the orchestral and big band sounds that they enjoy.

'So, you are listening to a whole orchestra. You can get everybody from Mantovani to Glen Miller.'

The club's continued success contrasts with some other groups whose fortunes are floundering with dwindling memberships.

'I don't think people will ever tire of listening to the organ all the while they can produce all those sounds,' explained Mr Scott.

'Young people are playing the keyboard because they see it in the groups on television.

'There's also a real camaraderie and friendly atmosphere at the club.

'There are nine committee members who have been involved for a long time. Our treasurer, for instance, has been a member for 14 years.'

It was as the Regis Organ Club that the club's first meeting was held in 1977, thanks to Mr Peffer and John Lawn.

The birthplace was the coffee shop next to the organ department at Olby's department store in Bognor town centre.

The first meeting was held at the Rendezvous Hotel in Elmer. Owner Peter Morgan was the first club chairman.

Mr Peffer was the secretary and Mr Lawn hired the performers.

Within a year, the club moved to larger premises at Bognor's Grosvenor Hotel because it had grown to 54 members.

Further growth prompted another move '“ to Arun Leisure Centre in Felpham '“ which became the venue for ten years.

The next stop was Middleton as membership peaked at 180.

The club flourished during the Eighties, though the decade ended on a sad note with Mr Peffer's death in 1989.

The first formal annual meeting took place on August 28, 1991, after it was decided to organise the club more formally. Its current name was adopted in 2001.

The 30th anniversary was celebrated in September with an afternoon tea at St Mary's Centre in Felpham.

A professional performer entertained an audience of 105 members.

Regular club meetings are held from 7pm on the last Wednesday of each month at Middleton's Jubilee Hall.