Annual Dinner 2015

A sociable night together

Marilyna150To know where the best value restaurant in central London is, one must be acquainted with Martin Callingham, who, during last summer, invited me and secretary Nick Jones to sample the food and surroundings at Bistro1 in Frith Street, Soho. Being very satisfied, we were equally pleased with the offer made by the manager that we could have a large group downstairs and that the price would be £20 per head, to include one glass of wine at the start, followed by three courses and final beverage.

20 attendees were not disappointed. The menu was varied, untitled5something Mediterranean and healthy to suit all tastes, the service was friendly and efficient, and everyone who came went home having enjoyed both the food and the company of those next to them. The room was graced by beautifully and richly coloured light fittings which looked like round stained glass windows. They gave a warm glow to our gathering.

Our distinguished speaker, the Director of Music from Westminster Central Hall, Gerard Brooks, spoke to us about how his interest in the organ began at a young age. It was encouraging to learn how his experiences mirrored one’s own. He valued what he had learned from an early teacher, John Webster, and valued just as much the single lessons he was fortunate to have with Jean Langlais untitled3and André Marchal, following studies at Lincoln College, Oxford. Making contact with Daniel Roth, an up and coming young organist at the time, he was lucky to be his only student in Strasbourg for a term. After two years further study, developing his interest in French music, he decided to return to the UK and has since built his career around playing and teaching the organ, and more latterly, appearing in Fugue State Films. He told a significant number of funny stories from other strands of his career as an Associated Board Examiner, as a keyboard player in a West End Show, where his organ playing skills suntitled1tood him in good stead, pushing buttons on a keyboard instead of pistons on the organ.

It was my great pleasure and duty to thank Gerard for his wisdom and amusing stories, and to honour two retiring members of the committee, Sue Heath- Downey and Anne Rickwood. Sue has always been a tremendous source of energy, encouragement, advice, as well as setting an excellent example of good organ playing to the Society. In her capacity as Treasurer, Anne made sure that the Society was in good financial order, and that the membership lists are up to date. Both their successoruntitled4s as committee members and officer can be sure that they can build on secure and accurate foundations.

We also thanked current committee members for their work on the Society’s behalf, including President Harry’s wisdom and advice, to Martin for his work on developing the website and finding the restaurant, to Nick for his work as Secretary, to Peter our new Treasurer, to John for his technological and musical support, and for making the menu, to Andrew for his constant support. Watch this space for news of a future evening where Andrew will share his theatrical musical skills, all of which, like Gerard described, are based on organists’ skills, ie,
being able to manage both the music, the instrument, the technology and the space. We have two new committee members, Richard Pilliner and Samzu Agbaje. We thank Richard for bringing two guests and for his distinctive energetic input thus far. Samzu was unable to join us but his enthusiasm has already been noted.

untitled2The restaurant was cosy and warm, the food was very good indeed. Given the most economical price and efficient and friendly service, we were pleased to hear that members attending would be very happy to go back, either as individuals or with a group. It must be one of the best value establishments in town.

 

 Marilyn Harper

 


The restaurant where we had such an enjoyable time was Bistro 1, 27 Frith Street, Soho, W1LD 5LE, 020 7734 6204