Hi Fran
I hope that the following may be of some interest.
The firm of Wright and Holmes Brothers were organ builders and repairers, based in Forest Street, Rochdale Road, Manchester.They did general lorgan maintenance and repairs and specialised in the pinning of organ barrels for showmen. They also perfected the autochange device, which enabled each tune to be played three times, before moving on to the next, thus making the operation of the organ fully automatic, without need of the keyframe operator required on a cardboard book playing instrument.
The company closed c1950, due no doubt to a combination of old age and lack of work. The last major customers were the Silcock family who carried on using organs much longer than the other showmen and prefered barrel organs as they did not need and operator.Some of their organs had been converted by W and H, from cardboard to barrel, but when the company closed they were converted back to cardboard by Chiappas of London, as no-one wanted to produce new barrels.
The 84 key Gavioli trumpet barrel organ we have had been sent to Forset Street by a showman to have a new barrel and other repairs, but he was unwilling to pay the bill of £17.10s, and it was in the way, as it had to be moved when organs came in and out of the workshop. My Grandfather (somewhat against the current trend) wanted an organ to fit on the centre of the speedway ride we operated at Pickmere Lake. W and H were pleased to give the organ away, to save them burning it. They did make on the deal as it was returned to have an autochange fitted.
I have not perfected the tecnique of scanning and sending photos by e.mail, but if you can send me your address via the forum or direct to
michaelhoulden2@virginmedia.com or better still direct to 07831 453036 I can forward pictures and further info
Kind regards Michael Houlden Gavioli 84