Metro Trading Centre (Gate 1)
Barugh Green Road
Barnsley
South Yorkshire
S75 1JT
From the Astoria, Purley. 1934
3 manuals
19 ranks
Melotone
Yamaha Upright Piano
The Compton organ was originally installed at the Astoria Cinema, Purley as a 3 manual / 5 rank instrument and opened on 2nd April 1934 by Robin Richmond.
In 1973 the organ was removed from Purley and has since been installed at East Kilbride, Carluke, Spalding and Sheffield.
The Compton was enlarged to 14 ranks when it was rebuilt at the City School, Sheffield, being opened there on 18th June 1993 by William Davies and Kevin Grunill. The Compton was removed from the City School in March 2010 due to a major re-scheme of the school.
Some of the previously added ranks were from church organs, so these ranks of pipes were replaced with similar ranks from genuine cinema organs and the organ was enlarged further to create the instrument that we see and hear at the Astoria Centre today.
A more detailed history of the Astoria Compton organ can be found at https://astoriacentre.co.uk/compton-organ
The Compton organ at the Astoria Centre is used for regular events, including a weekly Wednesday Afternoon Tea dance and weekly Thursday Lunchtime concert. Further details can be found at https://astoriacentre.co.uk/events