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Mechanical Organ Owners Society
​Meet your Committee

The committee of 'the UK's friendliest organ society'
​Get to know your elected officers
The Mechanical Organ Owners' Society (MOOS) Committee is the dedicated team that keeps our society running smoothly, ensuring the preservation and enjoyment of mechanical music for generations to come. Made up of passionate enthusiasts, collectors, and experts, the committee works tirelessly to organize events, support members, and promote the fascinating world of self-playing instruments.

What our elected officers aim to do:
🎵 Guides the Society – Making key decisions to uphold our mission of preserving and celebrating mechanical organs.
🎵 Organizes Events – From rallies to the Annual General Meeting, the committee brings members together for unforgettable experiences.
🎵 Supports Members – Providing advice, information, and a community for all who share a love of mechanical music.
🎵 Preserves Heritage – Advocating for the restoration and continued use of these incredible instruments.
🎵 Manages Publications – Overseeing our magazine and communications to keep members informed and engaged.
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Each committee member plays a vital role in ensuring MOOS thrives, from event planning to liaising with collectors and enthusiasts. If you’d like to get involved or have any questions, feel free to be in touch—we’re always happy to hear from fellow lovers of mechanical music!

ROGER BURVILLE
President

Roger's interest started in the late 1950s with Forrest's Gavioli. He became good friends with the family, who introduced him to David Barlow who was about to acquire 'De Kluisberg', a 101 Key Mortier. Roger, together with Dave and Edith Hopper formed the organ crew.

Today, Roger is still part of the rally scene, with help of his son David who is a full time organ builder and restorer of mechanical music instruments. (D.R Burville Organ Builders, Kent)

JONNY LING
Chairman

Jonny's support of the MOOS goes back years, hosting events at his Mechanical Music collection, and helping us organise other events in the Norfolk area.

Jonny is an accomplished organ builder and restorer. He is also proprietor of 'The Grange Collection' of Mechanical Musical Instruments and Trustee of The Cotton Mechanical Music Museum.

Jonny took over as Chairman in 2022 from Alan Smith.

DAVID DINGWALL
Vice Chairman

It was on a shopping expedition to Peterborough at just 4 years old that David first encountered the mechanical organ and he has never looked back! David now has a small collection of mechanical organs of his own, and will gladly travel across Britian and abroad to enjoy these wonderful instruments. David has also written a number of articles about mechanical organs, including for Vox Humana and has a particular interest in the history of organs and their music arrangers. David has been a member of MOOS since 2000, becoming committee member without portfolio in 2022 and Vice chairman in 2024.

GEOFF POWELL
Treasurer

Geoff first took an interest in mechanical organs after seeing a fairground organ in the paper mills at Wookey Hole Caves whilst on a family holiday in the 1970s.

His interest grew after discovering Charles Harts collection at St Albans organ museum spending many hours helping and learning how the large dance organs operated.

​Now Geoff has three organs of his own which he maintains and does cardboard and midi music files for along with being a volunteer helper at the Grange Musical Collection Suffolk. 

MARK JEFFORD
Membership Secretary


Mark's involvement with the MOOS began in March 1996 when he noticed an advert in World’s Fair for a coach trip to Holland and Belgium visiting Mechanical Music Collections. This was Mark's introduction to the MOOS, and on enjoying the trip, he joined the society.

In 2000 he offered to help distribute the magazine ‘Vox Humana’ and because of his willingness, he was quickly voted onto the committee as Membership Secretary at the AGM! Since then, he's very quickly been able to put faces to names during the various MOOS events and trips the society does. Mark also produces the MOOS Newsletter, with up to 6 editions of events and information posted to our membership through the year.

PETER CRAIG
Tours & Industry Liaison


From the age of five, it was Peter's dream to own a mechanical organ.

Some years later after becoming an organ owner and joining the MOOS, he was press-ganged into serving a period as Chairman!

Within the world of mechanical music, his specialist interest is Belgian dance organs, their design, history and music. As time permits, he assembles a library of repaired and re-cut music for the organs in my own collection. 

Matt Gamble
Magazine Editor

Matt came to mechanical music quite late in life.  It was a trip to the Cushing Collection with his 18 month old son that got him hooked.  

His step-father assisted in the restoration of a Hooghuys dance organ around fifty years ago.  Partly because of this connection, and partly because of what he perceives to be the innate qualities of the instruments, he has a particular affection for Hooghuys organs.

JAMES DUNDON
Website and Social Media

James used to attend steam rallies with his parents, and from pushchair age, all he wanted to do was sit in front of a Fair Organ!

Now he's the proud owner of 52 Key Dutch Street Organ 'Het Blauwtje' which he imported from Holland in 2012, and touring it keeps him busy. He once did 46 events in a year with the organ! (Never again, he says!)

The organ is what he describes as 'an out of control hobby'! His day job is a radio presenter in Cornwall on the BBC, and also he is the founder and manager of enthusiast station www.mechanicalmusicradio.com

CARL DURBIN
Publicity Officer

Carl’s passion for mechanical organs began in childhood, inspired by trips to steam rallies with his grandfather. That early fascination grew into a lifelong love of the music and craftsmanship behind these instruments.

Today, Carl is the proud owner of a 45-key Verbeeck organ, The Little Fisherman, which he regularly plays at events across the South East of England.

​Alongside sharing his organ with the public, Carl serves as a committee member of MOOS and volunteers at the Grange Musical Collection in Suffolk, helping to preserve and promote the rich heritage of mechanical music.

Carl was appointed to the committee at our 2025 AGM in a newly created role that will see the Mechanical Organ Owners Society attend more events.

Become a member of the MOOS

from as little as £15 a year, you can become a member of the Mechanical Organ Owners Society. Email [email protected]