Birthday surprise hits the right note.Byline: By DEAN VALLER dean.valler@mrn.co.uk PENSIONER PENSIONER. One who is supported by an allowance at the will of another. It is more usually applied to him who receives an annuity or pension from the government. John Lilley was surrounded by his family when he achieved a lifetime's ambition - to play the famous organ at Blackpool Tower Blackpool Tower is a tourist attraction in Blackpool, Lancashire (northern England) (grid reference SD306360). It was inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris and rises to 158m (518' 9"). . The Evening Telegraph Evening Telegraph may refer to:
John, who used to travel to Blackpool to dance at the Tower Ballroom with his late wife Evelyn, said the world-renowned instrument was his for almost an hour - and described it as one of the most magical days of his life. He said: "It was something I thought I may never do and I must have played about 40 different songs, all from memory." John, who learned to play the piano from the age of seven, said his hero was Reginald Dixon Reginald Dixon MBE (born 1904 in Sheffield, died 1985) was a theatre organist. Reginald "Mr Blackpool" Dixon is best known as the resident organist at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom, where he played the Wurlitzer organ from 1930 until his retirement in 1970, only interrupted , who was resident organist at the tower from 1930 until he retired in 1970. He added: "It was the experience of a lifetime and when I was playing I felt like I was Reginald Dixon - he was my idol." The proud grandfather, who celebrates his birthday on November 30, said the treat was a present from his children, Graham, 63, Christine Russell Christine Margaret Russell, née Carr (born 25 March 1945, Holbeach) is a Labour Party politician in the United Kingdom. Russell is the Member of Parliament for the City of Chester, and Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to Beverley Hughes. , 60, and Richard, 51. John, who grew up in Churchill Avenue, Foleshill, was a part-time lecturer at Coventry Technical College, in The Butts. During the Second World War he was one of the founder lecturers of the Air Training Corps in the city. John's children all live in the city and he also has seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. High level Wurlitzer Blackpool Tower is made of steel and cast iron and is nearly 519ft tall It took just under three years to build, and was officially opened on May 14, 1894. The ornate Tower Ballroom with its Wurlitzer organ is one of the most famous attractions The organ is still played for dancing, concerts and functions Its distinctive sound is known throughout the world from the recordings and radio broadcasts of Reginald Dixon, who was resident organist at the Tower for a staggering 40 years, from 1930 to 1970. CAPTION(S): MAGICAL DAY: John Lilley, aged 90, watching video footage of himself playing the organ at Blackpool Tower. Picture: WILL BINNS |
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