Below, a loosely annotated list of the events and venues at which Tom Jennings set up a stand, c. 1949 to 1960. The three marked with an asterisk - July and September 1950 and September 1959 - are possible but doubtful. All others are certain and documented.

Whether JMI attended "Fretted Instrument Guild" Guitar Festivals prior to 1961 is not known at present. The 6th Festival took place on 14th April 1959 and the 7th on 6th April 1960, both at St Pancras Town Hall, London. Trade Shows were held in a hall subsiduary to the main "festival" hall.

Early on accordions, harmonicas, drums, and a variety of smaller intruments were displayed (and sold). Amplifiers, keyboards and guitars came a little later - from 1953.

Further details relating to the sponsoring and awarding of Jennings cups and medals for the National Accordion contests will almost certainly come to light in time, entries to be incorporated as information comes to hand.

In terms of the arrangement of the contests, England and Scotland were divided into 14 regions, and regional heats took place in each, 10 sections/categories per region - "Virtuoso Solo", "Intermediate Level Band", and so on. On "National Accordion Day" the winners of the regional contests competed in London for the national title in their respective sections.

The final cup sponsored by Jennings seems to have been in June 1966 (awarded in person by Tom). Eddie Haynes (JMI publicity department) attended the National Accordion Day finals in 1967, but there was no Vox/Jennings stand.

1949

(i) 12th November - "National Accordion Day" finals, Central and Caxton Halls, Westminster. The Jennings stand was in the Central Hall. The Jennings cup, 1st prize, "Accordion Band Intermediate" section, awarded to Wilfrid Walker's Accordion Band.

1950

(i)* July - National Accordion competition heats, London and Home Counties final, the Jennings cup the 1st prize for the "Duet Contest".

(ii)* 30th September - National Accordion competition heats, Western Area final, Central YMCA Hall, Bristol, Jennings Cup (for best Intermediate Level band) presented to Gerry Stenner's Accordion Band, probably by the master of ceremonies (ie. not Tom).

The Jennings cup presented to Gerry Stenner's band, 30th Sept. 1950.

(ii) 4th November - "National Accordion Day" finals, Central and Caxton Halls, Westminster.

1951

(i) 10th November - "British Musical Trades Exhibition" at the new Royal Festival Hall (officially opened that May). The event later became the "Associated Musical Instrument Industries" fair.

(ii) 17th November - "National Accordion Day" finals, Central and Caxton Halls, Westminster.

1952

(i) 1st November - "National Accordion Day" finals, Central and Caxton Halls, Westminster.

1953

(i) 27th April to 8th May - "British Industries Fair", Olympia. On the Jennings stand: accordions, the new Univox and Jennings J51 organ. See this page - part of the section on the "Jennings Organ Company" of the Vox AC30 website.

(ii) 14th November - "National Accordion Day" finals, Central and Caxton Halls, Westminster. Jennings silver medal, 3rd prize, awarded to Doreen Joesbury, "All Britain Amateur Solo" section. Jennings cup, 3rd prize, awarded to the Poole Accordion Centre Orchestra, "Accordion Band Intermediate" section.

1954

(i) 3rd to 14th May - "British Industries Fair", Olympia. Jennings stand: principally the new range of organs. See this page in the "Jennings Organ Company" section of the Vox AC30 website.

(ii) 13th November - "National Accordion Day" finals, Central and Caxton Halls, Westminster. Jennings cup, 2nd prize for Pamela Deakin, "Virtuoso Solo" section.

The Jennings stand, November 1954.

1955

(i) 2nd to 13th May - "British Industries Fair", Olympia. As in 1954, the main focus was organs. See this page in the "Jennings Organ Company" section of the AC30 site

(ii) 14th May - "National Accordion Day" finals, Central and Caxton Halls, Westminster.

The NAO programme, 1955, double-page Jennings advert.

(iii) 24th September - "Coupe Mondiale" (World Accordion Championships), Brighton Pavilion. In addition to the stand with instruments for sale, Tom also displayed some of his personal collection - from the "museum of antique accordions" at Dartford Road.

1956

(i) 22nd Feb. to 2nd March - "British Industries Fair", Earls Court.

(ii) 14th April - "National Accordion Day" finals, Central and Caxton Halls, Westminster. Jennings cup (1st prize) for "Band under 12" section.

Cover of the programme - Central Hall, Westminster.

1957

(i) 6th April - "National Accordion Day" finals, Central and Caxton Halls, Westminster. Jennings cup, 2nd prize, awarded to the West Burton Accordion Band, "Advanced Band" section.

(ii) 3rd-6th September - "Associated Musical Instrument Industries" Fair, Park Lane House, Londonderry House (Park Lane). But one source states that "Jennings was not present*.

1958

(i) 8th March - "National Accordion Day" finals, Central and Caxton Halls, Westminster. Jennings cup presented to winner (1st prize) of the "Rhythm Group" section. The Jennings stand was Stand 9.

The NAO programme, 1958, double-page Jennings advert.

(ii) 1st-4th September - the "Associated Musical Instrument Industries" (AMII) Fair, Cafe Royal, Regent Street. Jennings had its stand in the Daniel Room. An overview of the show can be found on this page.

1959

No AMII fair this year. A number of musical instrument manufacturers and dealers put on shows at their own premises in August and September, Jennings presumably at 100 Charing Cross Road.

(i)* September - National Accordion contest heats, Western Area. Jennings cup, awarded as 1st prize, "Advanced Duet" section.

(ii) 17th November - "National Accordion Day" finals, Central and Caxton Halls, Westminster. Jennings evidently did not sponsor a cup for these finals.

1960

Again, no AMII trade fair this year. As before, some sort of show at 100 Charing Cross Road is likely.

(i) 23rd to 26th November - "Radio Society of Great Britain" (RSGB), Radio Hobbies Exhibition, Royal Horticultural Hall. Press reports mention only the exhibiting of the JMI "Pacifica" kit guitar. Pictures of the show exist, but none has come to light so far of the Jennings stand.

1961

(i) 22nd April - "Fretted Instrument Guild", 8th Rally and Festival, St Pancras Town Hall, Euston Road, London.