Storm over plan to remove organ

PROPOSALS to remove the historic Cavaille-Coll organ from Warrington’s Parr Hall – see today’s top story (above) – have already caused a storm of protest.
Warrington Male Voice Choir today revealed that it has had talks with borough council officers over the future of the organ.
During the meeting, on Friday, the choir reiterated its offer to work closely with council officers to help devise strategies to financially support the maintenance of the organ, to promote its greater community use and appreciation and to ensure its conservation for the enjoyment of future generations.
Council officers agreed that further dialogue with community users would be a useful next step.
The choir is urging the council’s executive board to defer any decision on the future of the instrument at its meeting tonight (Monday).
Choir patron Terry Waite is supporting the choir’s stance.
The choir maintain there was been no proper consultation with users of the organ which, they say,is an irreplaceable local, national and international treasure.
They say it is one of possibly only two Cavaille-Coll organs in the world in original condition and is part of Warrington, and the North West’s, musical heritage.
They state: “It should be the jewel in the town’s Cultural Quarter – its iconic cornerstone.”
Removal of the organ, at a cost of up to £1 million, would diminish the Parr Hall as a concert venue, the choir believes.
The choir uses the organ between four and seven times a year.
The choir’s organist, Anthony Whittaker, has organised an online Number 10 petition to keep the organ at Warrington and more than 500 names have already been added to it at Number 10 petition
The organ was installed in the Parr Hall in 1923-26. It was originally built in 1870 at Bracewell Hall, Yorkshire, for the music publisher TJ Hopwood.
Terry Waite said: “It was only the other day that I heard of the proposal to move the Cavaillé-Coll organ from the Parr Hall in Warrington to a new location in Sheffield. I have to say that I was profoundly shocked to hear of this proposal.
“Warrington, an industrial town is fortunate to have one or two cultural treasures and the organ is, without question one of, if not the main item. To remove it from the Parr Hall would be in effect to remove the heart from this historic building and should this proposal be accepted future generations would look back in amazement that leaders of the town could have agreed to such a proposal.
“Considerable attempts have been made in recent years to enhance Warrington and the organ, along with a restored Hall ought to be a prominent feature of the town. I sincerely hope that this proposal will be soundly rejected”.
The Male Voice Choir are planning to use the organ at its annual Christmas concerts on December 19 and 20.