What has happened to the Brighton Dome's theatre organ?

This magnificent four-manual 40-rank instrument had to be removed during the recent building and refurbishment works.

Shortly before the Dome was re-opened, a spokeswoman for the Dome stated (The Argus, January 11) that the organ would be put in place in the concert hall during August.

There still appears to be no organ and there has been no announcement.

The Dome's Hill, Norman & Beard "Christie" concert organ was acknowledged to be the most effective dual-purpose organ installed in this country.

Yet it is not even mentioned in the Dome's programme for November and December, which includes advance notes of attractions as far ahead as April.

If Brighton and Hove still has serious aspirations to be regarded as a Capital of Culture, rather than just a haven for trendy gimmicks, it cannot afford to ignore such a wonderful asset to the arts.

Bert Hobden, Overhill Drive, Brighton

-* Nicholas Dodds, chief executive of the Brighton Dome, replies: The organ was built especially for the Dome concert hall in the Thirties and was designed to be played as either a cinema or classical instrument. It is being extensively restored and rebuilt by David Wells Organ Builders, based in Liverpool and considered one of the top such companies in the country. Restoration is a long and delicate process, with the instrument needing to be in a completely dust-free environment. As the Dome concert hall is a working venue, it is impossible to restore the organ in situ while concerts take place. David Wells states it would take four months of continuous work to bring it to full working order. It is impossible to close the venue for this length of time so various components will be installed in sections. Two of the four organ chambers have been put back into place on the left-hand side of the stage. Because of the organ's unusual nature, it has been necessary to take it apart and rebuild it in order for it to fit into the redesigned staging. David Wells is restoring the soundboard and chest and reconstructing it to fit into this smaller space. We hope to unveil the full splendour of the organ in late spring 2003 with a special organ recital.