Coronation Rd
Woodhall Spa,
LN10 6QD
Compton
Originally installed in the Super Cinema, Charing Cross Road, London. 1928 as a 2/8
3 Manuals
9 Ranks
The Compton organ was originally installed in the Super Cinema, Charing Cross Road, London (replacing a straight organ by Thomas Jones of Holloway) and opened by Edgar Peto on 20 February 1928. The 8 units were: Tibia, Flute, Diapason, Tuba, Vox Humana, Clarinet and Strings (2 ranks) and it was installed above the stage in a former tea room. The beautiful, ornate red-lacquered 2 manual console was hidden away in a box up on the right hand side of the theatre. It was the first Compton console to have double touch cancelling on the stop-keys.~
The organ was removed around 1947 by Monk & Gunther and, in 1961, it was acquired by Nigel Turner of Northampton who eventually installed it in a heated barn at his Nurseries. The original relays had disappeared so a new Hill, Norman & Beard electronic system was used. At this time a third manual was added.
The organ was offered for sale in 1983 and purchased by James Green of Woodhall Spa for installation in his cinema.
The Kinema-in-the-Woods started life as a cricket pavilion and was converted to a cinema in 1922. The Compton was installed by David Hill during 1986 and opened by Nicholas Martin on October 10 1987. The chambers are divided either side of the screen and the wonderful console is now able to be appreciated by all as it is placed on a central lift. The organ is used regularly during film presentations as well as for concerts. It is interesting to note that the electronic relay system which replaced the original Compton one has recently itself been replaced by another Compton set, which is proving to be more reliable!