House of Automata owners raise £400 for Shelter charity busking on Forres High Street with restored traditional barrel organ
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AUTOMATON enthusiasts have rolled out their new instrument in Forres to raise money for charity.
House of Automata owners Michael and Maria Start debuted the restored 20-note barrel organ in the town centre on December 22 and 23, playing Christmas songs to shoppers who donated a total of £400 the couple raised in aid of Shelter, a UK charity aiming to end homelessness and bad housing.
Maria bought the instrument second hand from specialists Raffin, barrel organ makers in Überlingen, Germany.
She said: “I’d been looking for exactly the right one, not too big, not too small, and beautifully painted. Barrel organs have been used for busking all over for hundreds of years. Their loud, resonant sound is perfect for drawing in the crowds.”
A barrel organ consists of bellows and ranks of pipes housed in a decorated case. It is activated either by turning a crank or by clockwork driven by weights or springs. Their music is encoded onto barrels or cylinders.
Michael said: “We took Jimmy – so named because it’s a bit Krankie – out onto the High Street for our maiden
busk. We were delighted that so many people came to
talk to us and donate. They crossed the street to see it, waved from cars, sang along and some even danced to the music. Everyone seemed cheered by it and the tunes added to the festive mood.”
The Starts played for a few hours each day by the Christmas tree at the Tolbooth, outside the Falconer Museum and by the former Clydesdale bank. They were then asked to perform at Inverene Gardens for residents who are unable to get out as much as usual.
“We were kindly welcomed with mince pies and very generous donations,” said Maria.
“We were astounded by the generosity of the people of
Forres. It made us feel very proud to live in such a wonderful place and eager to roll out the barrel again soon.”
