Organs at The Extravaganza

Here at the Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza the streets are taken back in time with the delightful sound of the street and fair organs.

Back in their heyday the large fair organs would play an important role in the fairground, as they would attract the public to the rides as well as helping to create the ambient atmosphere with their lively tunes.

There will be several large fair organs visiting Llandudno this year including the Reeder family from Nottingham with their 89 key Gavioli of 1897, Joe & Margaret Davis of Wolverhampton with Lady Wulfrun – a 49 keyless McCarthy & all the way from the Scarborough Fair Collection a 110 key Gavioli providing musical accompaniment & a great backdrop for the Main Stage. Also from North Yorkshire & in a class of its own, the Mighty Wurlitzer on the promenade next to the main stage will be played by world renowned organist Kevin Grunhill.

In day’s gone bye, you would also have seen the Organ Grinders with smaller street organs accompanied by their monkeys. The monkeys were trained to hold out a collecting tin so passers by could make contributions to the grinders’ daily wage.

Organ grinding used to be more of a poor man’s job, whose clothes would often be in tatters. Thankfully that is no longer the case and the many street organs you will see at the show are the pride and joy of their owners, who hope you enjoy their music as much as they do. Organ grinders will be travelling from far and wide to The Extravaganza, so that you can hear their music through out the streets and along the promenade – wherever you care to roam. Look out for the odd puppet or two that add to the entertainment and the monkeys these days are cute and cuddly rather than real!

McCarthy Fair Organ 49 Keyless “Lady Wulfrun”
Owner J.E. Davies, Wolverhampton

Gavioli Organ 89 Key Built 1897
Owner M. Reeder, Nottingham

Raffin Hand Turned Street Organ Built 1991
Owner Mr & Mrs K. Randles, Shropshire

46 Note Organ
Owner Mr. B. Oliver, Wolverhampton

Raffin 20 Keyless Busker Organ “Celtic Rose” Built 2007
Owner Mr. D. Hatfield, Ceredigion

20 Note Keyless Stuber Fair Organ Built 2005
Owner Mr.T. Taylor, Aberystwyth

John Smith Senior 20 Note Hand Turned Built 2007

Busker Organ
Owner Mrs. H. M. Hancock, Warwickshire

31 Note, 103 Pipe Raffin Trumpet Organ Built 1989
Owner Mr. E. Dilks, Leics

21 Note, Pell Harmonette Street Organ Built 1996
Owner Mrs. M. Dilks, Leics

20 Note, Neimuth & Stuber Street Organ Built 1994
Owner Miss. K. Dilks, Leics