Chiff and Fipple Forums

I was just curious if there were any interviews or videos about Stacey O' Gorman and her whistlemaking business. There's stuff here and there about most makers, but I don't see much information about her, or how she got started.

Actually, I do wonder if anyone has collected the history of the modern whistlemaking craft. I'd love to read more about the various makers, especially how they got into the business. Overton, Goldie, Hardy, Copeland, O'Gorman, Somerville, etc. It'd be nice if there was a whistle history site with a page for each of them, and many others.

That's a great question!

For sure there's not much on her site http://www.albawhistles.com/

Being as she's the only female whistle maker I've heard of, and she's in such an isolated place https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edderton there might well be an interesting backstory to Alba Whistles.

She posted a lot on this board when Alba whistles were new. I don't remember her handle. Possibly Alba, Gorman, or something? There was a lot of info on here.

chas wrote:She posted a lot on this board when Alba whistles were new. I don't remember her handle. Possibly Alba, Gorman, or something? There was a lot of info on here.

A bit of searching suggests that early posts were from "wizzy", now filed under Guest, followed by some posts under "CHIFF FIPPLE". I would say the posts I read offered more heat than light.

I've wondered the same thing about Ms. O'Gorman, especially since I'm now playing one of her whistles (alto F). There's an Alba Whistles FB page but it's pretty much just about the whistles, rather than the maker herself (https://www.facebook.com/whistlen/.

As for Colin Goldie, there's a bit of a bio on the Goldie website along with a nice video 'In the Workshop with Colin Goldie' https://www.colingoldie.de/about-me.html. And as you probably know, if you happen to talk with Colin on the phone when selecting a whistle, he's always open for conversation.

I'm wondering if the old C&F site (now archived, I believe) might have more in the way of bios and interviews.

Would you be interested in my story? It's kind of long, with a lot of serendipity and incredible coincidences.

brewerpaul wrote:Would you be interested in my story? It's kind of long, with a lot of serendipity and incredible coincidences.

Sure!

Well, I got curious so went back to look at the old site and found this collection of interviews: https://web.archive.org/web/20160317085 ... rviews.htm
Unfortunately, the interview with Colin has disappeared into the ether of 404-land.

stiofan wrote:Well, I got curious so went back to look at the old site and found this collection of interviews: https://web.archive.org/web/20160317085 ... rviews.htm
Unfortunately, the interview with Colin has disappeared into the ether of 404-land.

Thank you stiofan for posting. The archive ought to be a sticky up top of forum.

brewerpaul wrote:Would you be interested in my story? It's kind of long, with a lot of serendipity and incredible coincidences.

Yes. Your story and your relationship with Glenn Schultz.

Tunborough wrote:

chas wrote:She posted a lot on this board when Alba whistles were new. I don't remember her handle. Possibly Alba, Gorman, or something? There was a lot of info on here.

A bit of searching suggests that early posts were from "wizzy", now filed under Guest, followed by some posts under "CHIFF FIPPLE". I would say the posts I read offered more heat than light.

Yeah, she did have a combative style.

AngelicBeaver wrote:

brewerpaul wrote:Would you be interested in my story? It's kind of long, with a lot of serendipity and incredible coincidences.

Sure!

Well, I wrote something up, but it turned out to be pretty long,maybe too long to post here. Maybe too long for most people to be interested.It's nearly 2 pages single spaced.
I can either post it, or if anyone wants to read it they can contact me by mail (paul@busmanwhistles.com) and I'll be glad to send the document.