George Blackmore, Astoria Aberdeen, December 1955 Approx, Broadcast 1

George Blackmore, who was resident organist at the 3/8 (and solo Cello) Compton of the Astoria Cinema, Aberdeen for some 7 years from 1950. The Solo Cello was removed only a few weeks after opening in 1934. He also played the earlier but similar Compton 3/8 of the Capitol Cinema, Aberdeen. This was originally broadcast on the Scottish region of the BBC Light Programme circa 1955. The Astoria organ was removed prior to the cinema's demolition in 1968 and installed in Powis (now ST Machar's) School not far from the cinema, but was destroyed by fire in 1984 when the school hall suffered an arson attack. STOPS – the Scottish Theatre Organ Preservation Society, founded on 29th October 1972, is Scotland’s oldest cinema/theatre organ society, and is a registered Scottish charity (SC 018217). We own and operate the New Palace Theatre Organ Heritage Centre in Greenlaw, Scotland and present an annual season of silent films with live accompaniment. Our website is www.stops.org for the Society and www.nptohc.co.uk for the New Palace Theatre Organ Heritage Centre. We welcome donations of all amounts, which can be made to www.paypal.me/stops