Twenty years ago the Bristol Piano Club was started by Ann Grayburn. The first meeting was on October 29th, 2006. Ann had previously attended a meeting at the Malvern Piano Holiday Club and was so inspired she wanted to start her own club in Bristol. She posted flyers in the central library and a few other places and on the appointed day thirteen people turned up at her house!
The first meeting proper was at Sandy and Hugh Thomas’ house in Clifton and the piano was a Steinway grand. Ann has sent me photos from the occasion, you may recognise some of the participants. Organising things was easier in those days – there were a sufficient number of members who could host that we didn’t need to book external venues and IT was simpler. Early meetings were held at Kay’s, Peter Scott’s, Sandy and Hugh’s, John and Jan’s, Dawn Hooper’s, Graham and Margaret’s and later on David Fletcher’s.
I joined in 2018 and most of the ‘originals’ were still there. We have lost quite a few since but new members come along for which we are very grateful. We have also lost many venues and this has necessitated the occasional booking of an external facility with insurance requirements etc. The complexity of running the Club has increased considerably and we now have a committee, a constitution, insurance and a website as well as running masterclasses, workshops and concerts. There are around forty members, some more active than others, but, all in all, the Club is thriving and has faithfully retained the monthly meeting format with performances followed by food and conversation. Ann has since moved to Cardiff and is a member of the piano circle there.
We look forward to the next twenty years but for now wish to congratulate Ann and the other thirteen for what they achieved!
