The 89 Key 'Irvins' Marenghi Fair Organ

Charles Marenghi of Paris, who was previously foreman at the Gavioli factory, built this organ in 1909. Upon leaving the Gavioli company Marenghi started his own business just a short distance away, taking with him several of their most skilled staff!

 

The first few years of the organs life remain unclear, however, it is believed to have seen service with Pat Collins Junior’s show. Around about 1914 it passed into the ownership of William Irvin of Slough, who placed it in the centre of his 1892 Savage three-a-breast gallopers, which he had acquired from John T. Danter of Swansea in 1904.

After the Second World War the centre engine was removed and the ride converted to electric drive by George Irvin, however the organ remained. Both ride & organ passed into the ownership of the third generation, Billy Irvin, who later exchanged them with his twin brother, Benny, for a Skid ride.

During the late 1990’s the ride & organ eventually separated, with the gallopers passing into the ownership of the late Roger Austin of Northamptonshire and the organ passing into the ownership of Mr J. G. Atkinson.

Both the organ & the spectacular art nouveau front were in need of a total restoration; this commenced in September 2003 and included specialist pipe work restoration by Judith Howard who is widely recognised as a leading expert in this field. Further work has since been carried out and the organ has been brought to its current high standard by David Burville who is responsible for the maintenance of each of the mechanical organs in 'The Scarborough Fair Collection'.