Biography

The Fair Organ Preservation Society is dedicated to the appreciation and preservation of the fairground organ, and other related mechanical instruments, and their music.

The objects of the Society are the promotion and encouragement of all forms of interest in, and the preservation of, Fair Organs and Mechanical Musical Instruments.

The Society was founded in 1957 in Bolton, when enthusiasts gathered round Tom Alberts' 98-key Marenghi organ for a Sunday recital.

The Fair Organ Preservation Society, started as a small movement formed mainly by organ owners. However the popularity of steam rallies and other similar events, interest in fair organs increased rapidly and membership increased sharply during the sixties to include members from all over the world. The first overseas member was Gijsbert Perlee, an organ builder from Amsterdam, and the first United States member was Q. David Bowers, dedicated collector and well known as the author of several comprehensive books on mechanical musical instruments.