Formation
The British Organ Grinders Association was set up in 1991 by Peter Churchard,  along with a handful of British enthusiasts who decided that some kind of club was needed for hand-turned organ enthusiasts.  Since those days, the British Organ Grinders' Association has grown to over 300 members all over the world.
BOGA Facebook Group

 

NEW!
Another way to contact the society.
We have now opened a Comments area, where you add comments, ask questions, make requests for information - anything really. Just click on the Comments tab above and follow the instructions.

  • Bernard Johns
Why Join BOGA?
Anybody with an interest in hand-turned organs can join.  You do not need to own an organ to join BOGA, and you do not need to live in the United Kingdom.
The association produces a newsletter: Organ Grinders News, which is sent free to members four times a year.
There are also two meetings a year for members to get together, usually at a mechanical music museum or similar venue.
The UK subscription is just £15 per year.
Overseas subscriptions are available on application
What's New?
NEW! The BOGA official leaflet. Our official leaflet was launched at the 2019 AGM, and copies were given out to members as an aid to increasing membership and awareness of the Society. Click here to download a PDF of the leaflet.
(Use your browser's 'Save As' or 'Print' functions as required, then the 'Back' button to return to this page).
If you cannot print or download, you can get copies of the leaflet by writing, with an SAE, to John Webb, the Membership Secretary, whose address is on this page.
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New events added to the Events tab

and: 
Each year, on the final programme of the BBC2 quiz series Only Connect, a guest instrumentalist is invited to play the theme tune and other music. This year BOGA chairman Eric Dilks, suited, booted and top-hatted, was seen on the programme hand-turning the opening and closing theme tunes on his John Smith Topsy organ.

You can view his virtuoso performance by accessing the BBC i-player, going to the Only Connect section and selecting series 14, programme 28 - OR -  see it on YouTube

How do I Join
If you would like to join BOGA you can email the membership secretary, or write to: John Webb, 36 Rochester Way, Twyford, Banbury, Oxon. OX17 3JX.

You can also download and print a Membership Application Form which contains additional information and upon which you can enter your personal details.
Visitors to BOGA 97534
Music
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If not already playing, click on ► to hear
the Grand March  Hoch Heidecksburg
arranged for a 31 note Street Organ
by Melvyn Wright
If you are using a web browser other than Chrome, some typical organ music plays as you access this page for the first time - you can pause and adjust its volume using the controls above.   Chrome users can use the same controls to hear the music.  If you refresh the page, or return here from elsewhere on the website, the music will NOT play automatically.
  
BOGA Steering Committee Members
   Founder - Peter Churchard
   President: Ernie Thomas
   Chairman: Eric Dilks
   Treasurer:  Andy Hinds email
   Secretary/Newsletter Ed: Karen Dilks email
   Membership Secretary: John Webb email
   Member Representative Jeremy Brice email
   Shirley's Fund:  Margaret Dilks
   Member without Portfolio: Peter Buckeridge
   Webmaster:    Don Johnson email

The picture at the top of the page was taken at an event at Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings,