We posted on Twitter last weekend about our mishap in turning up to an open day at Pilgrim Harps in South Godstone a week early. That really left me feeling like a bit of a twit. However better to be early than late! So we returned this weekend, on the correct day, to experience all that they had to offer.
I played the harp in my first year of teaching (over 7 years ago now) and hired my harp from Pilgrim. It was a beautiful Clarsach harp and I loved it very very much but just couldn’t afford to keep hiring it. It was, therefore, lovely to get back behind one with Lucan on my lap to have another play, and while I am absolutely no virtuoso I can get a very rough tune out of one still.
We watched one of the harpists in action in the marquee and then made a visit to the shed where they are all made. Their fundamentals as a company are – flawless design, perfect materials and immaculate craftsmanship. This was absolutely reflected in the passion from the staff on hand to talk mainly to James (as I was chasing around after Lucan) about how the harps are manufactured completely from scratch in one location. This is so wonderful for us to see and hear as we have struggled with finding many musical instruments manufactured in the UK.
I must admit there was a small part of me that thought I will just go for it and buy the beautiful little harp that Lucan an I played but truthfully, at nearly £2000 second hand, it is an extravagance too far at the moment. This will be one to save up for, for definite!
While they are a tiny little business it is good to know that they are still going strong after 23 years. It was a lovely morning out and great to show Lucan one of my passions 🙂
-Emily
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