KEYBOARDCHAT.COM The Internet Magazine For Keyboard and Organ Enthusiasts Lottery Grant Winners WEYHILL ELECTRONIC ORGAN SOCIETY                   ..... another step forward Weyhill Electronic Organ Society has made significant progress since its formation in April 2002 and has now taken a further important step forward. The Society's very own video projection equipment was employed for the first time at the concert on 19 May and future productions will now be enhanced by this recent acquisition. Grants from 'Awards for All' (Lottery), Hampshire County Council and Test Valley Borough Council have helped the Society to achieve this improvement and members of the audience will now have a clear view of the keyboards and pedals throughout every performance, thereby adding to their enjoyment of the monthly concerts. Since the Society's inaugural concert at the Fairground Hall, Weyhill in July 2002, audience support has been encouraging and attendances have reached the venue's capacity on several occasions. Until the formation of the Weyhill society, no such club existed in the Andover area or indeed within the Borough of Test Valley; however, thanks to the hard work of a small committee and a few willing volunteers, combined with the support and co-operation of several local organisations, this particular enterprise has certainly proved to be both popular and worthwhile. In August 2003, the Society staged a charity concert (for Age Concern) at the Cricklade Theatre in Andover, raising the commendable sum of £1,500 in the process. Subsequent events have served to provide funds for several other worthy charities – one notable concert being held in June 2004, when the Club played host to a group of children from Belarus who were visiting the UK for a brief holiday, courtesy of the Chernobyl Children Life Line charity. Concerts are held at The Fairground Hall, Weyhill on the third Thursday of every month and plans are already being made to stage another concert at the Cricklade Theatre in 2006 if a suitable date can be arranged. Although the Society is only three years old, it has quickly established an excellent reputation with its guest performers, all of whom have expressed their delight at performing for such a friendly, well-organised club. In addition to providing regular top class entertainment, the Society prides itself in being a very friendly social club, with a variety of organised day trips being well supported. In addition, newsletters are published at regular intervals, providing information about the Society’s activities. For further information or postal bookings telephone 01264 323213 - or visit The Weyhill web site at ORGANfax Back to Contents Lottery Grant for Llanelli Society Several organ-keyboard clubs have benefited from lottery based grants via Art Councils and similar bodies. It is something that all clubs/societies should look into - if they have not already considered it. One of the latest clubs to benefit from a lottery grant via the Arts Council of Wales (ACW) is the Llanelli Organ & Keyboard Club.   The multitude of forms to be filled in seemed worth the effort to receive an approximate 90% grant for a Yamaha Tyros keyboard. Members of the Llanelli club can benefit by being able to borrow the instrument to play in their homes - as long as it is brought to the club's next meeting.   On club nights, when no guest artiste is scheduled to play, members will receive demonstrations to highlight the instrument's features. We congratulate Aurwel Rees, the club chairman (pictured above) for following the claim for the grant to its completion.   It only goes to show that effort brings results.   This is another case to highlight that it is certainly worth while to be a member of an organ-keyboard club. In addition to the above grant, there is an unconfirmed report that another Welsh organ-keyboard club had a lottery based grant for £10,000.   Let's hope that more clubs throughout the UK will look into something that is apparently there for the asking. Back to main page Back to Contents Menu