Woman travels from Blackpool to see organist (again)

A FAMOUS seaside musician performed in Henley on Sunday.

Phil Kelsall, who has been the principal resident of the famous Wurlitzer organ in the Blackpool Tower Ballroom for 47 years, played the Allen MDR3 organ at the town hall to an audience of more than 50 people.

He performed songs including Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious from Mary Poppins and My Favourite Things from The Sound of Music.

Couples got up from their seats and danced to ballroom music.

Some people had travelled miles to be there, including Enid Hilton, 79, who came from Blackpool and attends all of Mr Kelsall’s concerts.

She said: “I have danced in the tower for 14 years to his music and travelled all around the UK to see him. I have gone to most of the concerts since 2017. He really makes the organ talk.”

The concert was organised by the Henley and District Theatre Organ Trust and sponsored by Henley Rotary Club, which provided refreshments and a raffle.

Craig Wilson, president of the Rotary Club, said: “Events like these are not only a great and fun interactive way of raising money for a charitable cause but also to see some incredibly famous talent.” Mayor Kellie Hinton said she had enjoyed a “wonderful” Sunday afternoon.

“It was not what I expected,” she said. “I thought it would be more like a carol service.

“It was just amazing. Great credit to the Rotary club and the organ trust. I would encourage everyone to go.” The next concert, featuring Kevin Grunill, will take place on February 11.

Henley Town Council installed the organ in the town hall after the Regal Cinema closed in 1986. Since then, Sunday musical afternoons have been held in the main hall.