Stories Of London

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Len has been playing the Theatre Organ for most of his life and continues to give a number of concerts each year. He has also been involved with Theatre Organ restoration and is responsible, along with his father and a number of dedicated colleagues, for saving a large number of instruments from being lost.  In addition, he has taught many to play and hone their skills at the Theatre and Electronic Organ and has offered many Master Classes.  Len has also written a number of pieces for the Theatre Organ, some of which may be found on his EMI Library CD recording, Wurlitzer Era 1920/1980.

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Len’s first experience of playing the Theatre Organ took place when he was 11-years old while he and his family were spending their summer holiday at Bournemouth.  Prior to his visit, he wrote to Harold Coombs (1903-1964) who played the Theatre Organ at the Pavilion Theatre that summer to ask if he might come and see the Organ. Mr. Coombs proved to be most gracious and allowed Len to not only come and see the Organs, but also to play both the LaFleur/Hammond Organ in the Pavilion Ballroom and the 4-manual Compton Theatre Organ in the Pavilion Theatre.  Over the years, Len has played a huge number of Theatre Organs all over Britain, Europe, North America and Australasia.

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Len, together with his parents and some friends, formed the London & South East Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society (ATOS) in 1985, which has been responsible for the presentation of concerts given by organists from both Britain and elsewhere and thereby giving many British devotees of the Theatre Organ perhaps their only opportunity to both see and hear these remarkable virtuosos.  Other work of the Chapter includes the restoration and preservation of Theatre Organs together with the  encouragement of young organists with the foundation of Organ Competitions, thanks to Len’s mother, Mrs. Edith Rawle. Over the years, Len has served the Chapter in a number of capacities, including the position of Newsletter Editor, and is currently the Chapter’s Musical Advisor and Concert Secretary.

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Over the years Len has been recognised for the mammoth contributions he has made to Music by receiving a number of accolades. Regarding the subject of accolades: when asked about the numerous accolades that he has received, Len is reticent to say very much about the many that he has received. He is, most certainly grateful to have received them, but his approach to them is also surrounded with humility.

Despite this approach, he does admit that the accolades that mean the most to him are those approbations made by organists of distinction. He says that such organists understand the many pitfalls of a travelling musician and especially of the work that goes into preparing programmes and dealing with the issues of the day. When pressed to name some of those eminent musicians and luminaries who offered him a considerable amount of encouraging conversation, he includes George Blackmore, Gerald Shaw, Robin Richmond, Vic Hammett, George Wright and Ashley Miller.

Len admits to having received many complimentary letters and telephone calls from the general public, which he says have always been a pleasure to respond to, but these only represent a view of one person, often musically unknown to him.

Len is always happy to receive the accolade where he is invited to return to a concert venue. He adds that, in this respect, he has been well blessed over many decades. Len has also received multiple complimentary write-ups of performances published in newspapers and magazines both in the U.K. and abroad.  He quickly adds that he was raised not to allow such accolades to go to his head, but rather to concentrate on the next concert which he always hopes would be the best.

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Len’s remarkable talents have been recognised by a number of Theatre Organ Societies both in the U.K. and abroad.

Len has a long history of visiting Australia over the years and giving concerts and consulting.  He has visited Perth and environs multiple times.  During these visits he has not only played Theatre Organs, but has also serviced them and helped consult on installations. In 1994, members of The Theatre Organ Society of Australia (TOSA), Western Australia Division (WA) offered Len the Patronage of the Society, and he, gratefully and happily accepted this honour and  continues in this role.

In addition, for his playing and consulting work, Len has been made Honorary President for Life of the Nederlandse Orgel Federatie (NOF) in 2007.

The American Theatre Organ Society (ATOS) awarded Len Honorary Membership in 2011 and also honored him as The Organist of the Year in 2013.    Here In the U.K., the Theatre Organ Club (TOC) elected him as its Patron for the Year on three separate occasions including 2020. Len is also Musical Advisor to the London & South East Chapter of the ATOS.

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Over the years, Len has also been recognised by The Queen for his contributions to British Music. This first took the form of receiving invitations to attend several of The Queen’s Garden Parties held yearly at Buckingham Palace.

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It is a great honour to be invited to one of The Queen’s Garden Party. It is not possible to acquire invitations to them through direct application to Buckingham Palace. Potential invitees are nominated as guests for invitation by  a long established network of sponsors including members of the Government and of the armed services, as well as from different charities. In this way, the organisers hope to achieve a representative cross section of the community.

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Royal Garden Parties began in the 1860s and were presided over by Queen Victoria (1819-1901) and allowed her to mix with members of the Upper Class and assorted royal dignitaries from U.K. and abroad. Following WWII, under George VI (1895-1952), the invitees began to reflect a more democratic reflection of society. This situation has been continued by Queen Elizabeth (1926).

Left: Queen Victoria with Sharp, the Collie dog; Middle: George VI; Right: Elizabeth II

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Each year The Queen hosts three parties in the garden of Buckingham Palace and one at The Palace of Holyroodhouse for approximately 30,000 people and has proven to be an important way for The Queen to speak to a broad range of people from all walks of life, all of whom have made a positive impact in their community.

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Although Dress is formal, it is less so than it once was. Today men are requested to wear either Morning Dress, Uniform or Lounge Suit, and women, day dress with hats.

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The area of the garden where the event is to take place is open to the invited at 3 p.m. and The Royal Party including The Queen, arrive at 4 p.m.  She walks around the garden, which allows each of the invited guests, an equal opportunity of meeting her.

Arranged in the garden are a series of neatly arranged long tables covered with white table cloths. On the tables are a number of delicacies for a formal Afternoon Tea (finger sandwiches, scones, cakes and cups of tea).