Parr Hall organ's future in doubt

NOT for the first time, a question mark hangs over the future of the historic Cavaille-Coll organ in the Parr Hall.
This time, however, we fear that despite consultation with those who wish to retain the 138-year-old instrument, there is a determination among councillors to dispose of what, to them, seems an insurmountable obstacle to modernising the venue.
There are those who believe that because the organ – one of only two of its type in the world – is of interest to only a minority of people, it should not be allowed to stand in the way of progress.
But if that argument was applied across the board, the town – and indeed the world – would have lost so much of its irreplaceable heritage that it hardly bears contemplating.
True, when a recital is arranged for the organ, even one by a distinguished visiting musician, the audience is likely to be counted in dozens rather than hundreds.
But on the other hand, it features regularly in concerts by the Warrington Male Voice Choir, when tickets are like gold dust.
And on civic occasions, such as the Mayor’s Ball, the organ, suitably illuminated, makes a magnificent backdrop, the loss of which would rob the Parr Hall of much of its atmosphere.
We think insufficient thought has been put into the possibility of modernising the hall without losing the organ.
If mass-produced electric guitars can change hands for hundreds of thousands of pounds simply because they were once played by some famous rock musician, surely a unique instrument made by one of the greatest-ever organ builders is worth saving for Warrington.