The Chronicle

BULAWAYO, Wednesday, May 10, 1967 — They call him the jack of all trades. And Doctor Gordon Ascough, Plumtree’s “do it yourself ” medical officer, could not be more aptly named.

For he is painter, musician, composer, photographer, puppet maker, theatre producer … and now even organ maker.

His latest brainchild is a full size spinet organ which he has made with the help of an old piano keyboard, aluminium from a wrecked aeroplane, telephone exchange switches and two dozen brass “nappy” safety pins.

The organ called the orgoton, took five years to design and building the workshop behind Dr Ascough’s home. It cost him only £200.

The organ has two manual pedal swells and a complete and set of 18 stops and Mukwa wood foot pedals.

The aluminium framework has been attractively panelled in limbe wood.

Dr Ascough, who runs Plumtree’s Government Hospital and is responsible for a district of more than 7 000 square miles — equivalent in size to Wales — is an accomplished musician.

He can play all keyboard instruments as well as the trumpet and the cello. He is also a successful composer.

One of his works, Sea Fantasy, was recorded for the South African Broadcasting Corporation in 1956. He has also composed music for three Spanish dances.

What is left of Dr Ascough’s spare time is devoted to painting and the theatre. He takes an active part in local amateur dramatics and has produced several school plays.

He also fills in as lighting effects man. A keen artist, Dr Ascough has many of his works hanging in his home.

They include several still lives, as well as some “imaginative” works. He also dabbles in puppet making and photography — but on a smaller scale.