The merry sound of the fairground organ in Hitchin’s Market Place is an annual herald of the festive season as members of Hitchin Lions Club rattle their buckets for a good cause – it’s been making sweet music for 30 years

he giant Gavioli machine was in place on Saturday, hauled in from its home in Stotfold where it is one of the prized pieces in the Saunders steam collection, and once again did the business – shoppers donated nearly £700 on the day to support Hitchin Foodbank.

Club president Colin Davies said “We are grateful to the Saunders family for lending us the organ every year.

“It’s well over 100 years old, a great attraction enjoyed by young and old and enables us to raise money for local causes.”