Breathing New Life

Few cinema go-ers of today will remember the time when mighty Wurlitzers thrust skyward at the front of theatres and picture houses, bringing with them gasps of admiration from surprised audiences as they burst into life. One such organ has risen, phoenix like, from the ashes of the old Roxy cinema, in Tendon street Llandudno.

Fondly referred to as, Eric, the organ is unique in being one of the few surviving gas driven Wurlitzers extant today. Gas driven organs of this kind were popular in North Wales at a time when the old Hoylake and Prestatyn Lighting company supplied marsh gas to homes and industry throughout the local area. The owner of H & P Lighting was the much respected Emrys Parry-Jones, grandfather of the Colwyn Bay entrepreneur, Ivor Parry-Jones, who’s endeavours have been pivotal in Eric’s restoration. Sadly, marsh gas has long since disappeared from the area but ingenuity has come to the fore. A clever modification to the organ’s fuel manifold means that Eric, now runs on Calor gas!

Senior organ restorer, Ronnie Ramone, was visibly moved when he struck the first chord during a ceremony to mark Eric’s return. ‘He’s running a bit flat at the moment’ Ronnie informed interested organ buffs who had gathered for the event. But he had words of hope. ’A bit of tuning and a new pressure regulator and he’ll be running fine.’

So far so good, but plans to mount Eric on his original hydraulic lifting ramp have hit a snag. The ramp was removed from the Roxy cinema and installed into Geraint Williams’ auto repair workshop in Ligament street, Colwyn Bay. Discussions are on-going but it is hoped a speedy and satisfactory outcome will soon prevail and Eric will, once again, reach for the sky.

Ronnie Ramone sits at the controls