September 2022

26
Wanstead Village Directory
MEMBERS ARE KEY
The East London and Essex Electronic Keyboard Club is in desperate
need of more members if its 40-year history of providing music for the
Wanstead community is to continue. Club secretary Derek Farr reports
The East London and Essex Electronic
Keyboard Club (formerly known as the
East London and Essex Organ Society)
is 40 years old. Founded by budding organ
players and encouraged by their organ
teacher, Martyn Rice, and David Thomas
(our club president), the club was started in
July 1982.
Our first meeting venue, like so many organ
clubs, was a public house. For us, it was the
Maypole in Barkingside. In those early days,
the members entertained themselves, playing
organs brought along by our president from
the local music shop. Members would also
bring along food they had made and a good
time was had by all. The society started with a
membership of 53 and this number soon rose
to 74 – not bad for a new club. The pub soon
became unsuitable, so a search was made to
find a new meeting place. Wanstead Library,
having a hall called the Churchill Room,
looked promising. That was back in 1983 and it
has proved very successful; we have remained
there ever since.
Our first artistes were unknown players at
that time. To name a few, they included David
Thomas, Danny O’Sullivan and a young man
called Mark Brown. Some of the first real
professionals we booked were artistes you
may know: Steve Lowdell, Byron Jones, Robert
Beadle and Harry Jackson. The committee
today still endeavours to engage the very best
artistes, including some up-and-coming new
faces. It is our aim to encourage new talent, as
well as supporting established organists.
But with a dwindling membership following
the pandemic, keeping the club going has
been tough. And last month, at our AGM,
we had to vote on the worst decision of the
club’s existence: do we close or do we strive
to find new members? I am glad to report
the members voted to keep going. So, we are
now making a plea to Wanstead residents and
those from the surrounding area. If you enjoy
listening to music, please come and visit us!
We have provided excellent music for the
community these past 40 years. The music
is varied, from classical to big band and
up-to-date tunes, and we are now hopefully
adding jazz to the shows. Artistes come from
all over the country to play for two hours, with
a 25-minute break when you can enjoy some
refreshments and socialise.
East London and Essex Electronic Keyboard
Club is well known on the keyboard circuit
and, I might add, respected for enjoying the
music and a social evening. This is why we
have gone on as long as we have. But we need
more people to come and enjoy a couple of
hours away from their TVs and smartphones,
and belong to something special.
The club meets at Wanstead Library on the
second Wednesday of the month (doors
open at 7.15pm; concert starts at 7.50pm).
Annual membership is £20. Monthly
tickets are £10 (visitors: £12; under-16s: £2).
For more information, call 020 8530 3717
To advertise, call 020 8819 6645 or visit wnstd.com