Thursday, July 30, 2009

Thursford Norfolk

These images I hope may tell you what a great place Thursford Museum is....

It started just with steam engines, and then at Christmas time they have a Magical Christmas every year. and it is like a fairy tale, the old museum is transformed into a unique fantasy once seen never forgotten....

During the year they have open days, and that is where yesterday I went with some of my family...They have a Wurlitzer show twice a day, where Robert Wolfe has been playing for years, and he is so very very good....

The photo above is of an old Hammond organ. but was thrilled with the cutouts of the past.....
It is of course very dark in there, so photo's not great, but the roundabout is gorgeous...
Liz wondering whether to exchange her Audi with a steam engine.
These engines were all working in the past, and they have spent many years bringing them up to the standard they are today....a lot of loving care over the years...
Of course the magic also is in the beautiful restored organs.... this one is called Wellershaus.. it was designed for the fairground.. and was discovered in Amsterdam....where George Cushion managed to persuade the old showman to part with it and give it a new lease of life....
This one is called the Mortier. but the name Oscar rather made me take the photo!!!very much an old cinema feeling to it...
The Marenghi above is truly great.. it started life in Paris in 1905 then it went to Belfast, where in 1959 they bought it for Thursford...very colourful !
And me being a lover of Jazz had to have a couple of photo's of this one.. it is called Gebrs Decap....it is Belgian in origin, but was found in a 60's dance hall in Holland where George Cushion who owned the museum bought it for Thursford.....
The sax a great instrument...can almost hear it playing....

There is so much more there, and if anyone gets the chance to visit it is well worth the journey.. Katie you must get Dive to take you there, and see the Christmas show one year....

My thanks again to Jan and Liz .....and for Derek for the meal and yummy home made organic ice cream.... and B&B who are on holiday from Australia....for a great day out....glad we managed to get there with my map reading!

7 comments:

dive said...

Thursford is a great place; quirky, kitsch and fun.

A splendid set of photos, too.

Alifan said...

Thanks Son...Fancy me being able to map read as well!!!!

dive said...

I have to admit I'm impressed. That place is hidden a few miles past the back of beyond and just left of the middle of nowhere.

Lupine Lady said...

What a wonderful place of restored pieces of yesteryear. I've been on several pipe organ tours, but they never included anything like these beautiful pieces. Are they playable?

Alifan said...

Hi Lupine Lady, they have those dot music things that play in them, ha ha Dive will know what I mean. and hopefully will explain... xx

Some were playing there...

Katie said...

What fabulous photos! I can't wait to visit this wonderful museum to see all the colorful musical treasures. And of course I'll drag Dive kicking and screaming there some Christmas!

Scout said...

What a fascinating collection. Museums like this one are always fun.