The well-known and much respected British maker of brass furniture for traditional and antique keyboards, Dave Law, is considering retirement due to ill health with nobody to take his place...

What does this mean for the future of harpsichords new and old, antique pianos, clavichords and spinets?

This unique and precious traditional craft is in danger of being lost forever.

Huw Saunders (harpsichord maker) and Farokh Khorooshi (film maker) have a plan!

They need help from music lovers and supporters of traditional crafts to put this plan into action.

Time is not on our side…

Are you able to help?

All donations big and small are welcomed.

Farokh and Huw have found a suitable apprentice for Dave Law, who can begin his training straight away. His name is Tony Hollard.

Tony was a born in the German Town of Minden where his father was based and joined the Royal Signals in his teens. He left the army in 1993 and has since been a heavy plant operator specialising in tower cranes. He is currently in full-time employment with a family, and a mortgage. His hobbies include scuba diving and competition shooting.

Tony has a passion for engineering. To become Dave’s apprentice, he needs to give up his full-time employment and go part-time as a freelance operator. This will put a tremendous strain on his finances. As Dave’s workshop, which is in his house, is too small to accommodate an apprentice, Tony will need to set up his own. Dave lives and works in Long Compton in Warwickshire. Tony lives thirty miles away in Buckingham.

We are launching an appeal to raise enough funds to help Tony set up a new workshop and have some basic income for one day a week, for a year to learn the necessary skills and techniques. He will of course continue practicing in his own time.

A music-loving local farmer, who already knows Tony, is offering asmall but suitable local barn at a much-reduced monthly rental for him to set up his workshop.

Who are Huw and Farokh?

Huw Saunders

Huw has been making harpsichords for several decades. He has in the last seven years made three Kirkman doubles, one of which has a permanent home at a major European concert hall.

Farokh Khorooshi

Farokh has been making films since 1983. He has made a four-part TV documentary about the making of Huw’s first Kirkman double to feature a Venetian swell. He met Dave during the filming. The project is reaching its final stages of production and will be ready for broadcast soon.

Farokh and Huw have known Tony Hollard for more than 10 years.

What are we looking for?

We are looking to raise £15k to equip Tony’s workshop with the necessary specialist equipment, pay his overheads and pay him a modest wage for one day a week for 12 months. This is what Dave considers an adequate period for Tony to become sufficiently skilled to help clear the backlog of orders, and to learn the basics of the craft. It is hoped that after this period Tony will be skilled enough to deal with some of the work on his own. The total training period is estimated to be three years.

What will the money be spent on?

Machines

1" belt sander

4 " belt sander

Anvil

Bench mill (Sealy)

Dead blow hammer

Blast cabinet

Switzer Polisher

Bandsaw (Draper)

Rotary tool (Ingersol Rand)

Pillar drill

Pin chucks

Consumables

4" sanding belts x 5

1" sanding belts x 20

Buffing wheels x 2

Polishing compound

Tools

Drill bits (one set)

Reamers (one set)

Set of fine cut files

Jeweller’s saw

Safety equipment

Powered respirator

Dust extraction system

Respirator refills

Workshop setting up costs

Metal shelving

Fitting out (electrics and water)

Ongoing costs for 12 months

Rent for 12 months

electricity for 12 months

insurance for 12 months,

Tony's wages for one day a week for 50 weeks.

Governance:

Huw and Farokh will set up a specific bank account for this project to receive all funds and will release monies strictly on a monthly basis and upon receipt of invoices. A full account of the project will be made available upon request at the end of the first year.