A Bradford magistrate has had an emotional re-union with an organ he first played 50 years ago in a Manningham Church.

Harry Atkinson, of Little Horton Green, Bradford, was a special guest at the inaugural unveiling of the rebuilt William Hill organ which once took pride of place in St Mary Magdalene’s Church in Bradford.

The organ, which was built in 1878, now resides in Christ Church in Wanstead in London after its £250,000 refurbishment.

It was originally donated to the Manningham Church by the McTurk sisters who’s father Dr McTurk had tended to Charlotte Bronte at the end of her life. Now it has been returned to its former glory and Mr Atkinson, for one, is delighted. I first played the organ that very organ as a schoolboy at Grange Grammar,” he said.

“The school had a very strong musical tradition at that time. I first started playing the organ at 15 and it was this very organ I played.

“It was one of only four Hill organs in the city and is now the only original still intact.

“I am an organ enthusiast and my only role in the refurbishment of the organ was in researching aspects of its history.”

The evening in Wanstead involved a recital from world renowned organist Thomas Trotter but Mr Atkinson also got a chance to revisit his youth after the performance had finished.

“I was persuaded to play the organ again and the sound was absolutely magnificent. The Hill was the Rolls Royce of organs in that period. It was a very emotional experience. The vicar took me into the church beforehand and it was very nostalgic.

“To lose an item of such historical importance would have been a tragedy for Bradford and I am quite thrilled that it has been restored in such a way and that it will continue to be appreciated for perhaps a century to come.

“Of course I would rather it was still here in Bradford but that was not to be so I am very glad it has gone somewhere that it is going to be looked after.”