THE BOX:- Solid pine, stained dark brown on outside. About 3 feet long by ten inches wide and four inches deep. Dovetail joints at corners. Lid held on by two brass hinges and secured by a pair of brass hooks and eyes and a brass box-lock (not locked). Heavy brass carrying handle.
BORDER BAGPIPES (key of A):- Light yew wood, with brass ferrules and boxwood mounts. The leather bag, covered in green baize, has three wooden stocks:- 1.Transfer pipe of red rubber with green baize cover, with wooden end for plugging into bellows. 2.Single pipe (chanter) with finger holes (some with wax inserts). Boxwood mount at lower end. Serial number stamped into wood near top. 3. Tripe pipes (drones) two tenors of two pieces, one bass of three pieces, each with brass ferrules and boxwood mounts at end. All three plugged into large cylindrical stock, which has a brass ferrule and is stamped with maker's name JULIAN GOODACRE, PEEBLES.
LEICESTERSHIRE SMALLPIPES (key of D):- Dark yew wood. No ferrules or mounts. The leather bag, covered in red velvet, has three wooden stocks:- wooden end for plugging into bellows. 2.Single pipe (chanter) with finger holes (some with minute black wax inserts), with wide bell-shaped end. 3. Single pipe (drone) of two pieces, with wide bell-shaped end. Attached to drone end are various coloured ribbons, one for each of the weddings I have played at.
BELLOWS:- Leather bellows sewn two two walnut wood plates, which are attached by a brass hinge. Inlet valve of turned boxwood. Outlet block to receive transfer pipes. Attached to heavy leather belt (with heavy brass buckle) by brass screws. Leather bootlace for tying round upper arm secured to small turned wood mushroom near hinge.
WHISTLES:- 1. Tin whistle in black and gold finish, marked CLARKE C. 2.Boxwood whistle (key of D, about 9 inches long) with brass tuning slide, by JON SWAYNE. In black cloth cover.
ELECTRONIC TUNER:- Musical tuner (also for electric guitars) with led indicators and electric meter with needle. Maker BOSS.
ALSO:- Unsold CD in case, 'Bag up yer Troubles' by The Goodacre Brothers; tune books 'Johnny D's Home' and 'The White House Hornpipe' by John Goodacre; antique tin medicine box (Sedlitz Powders) containing reeds, three turned wood drone plugs, watch-maker's pliers, wax, thread, bassoon reed maker's plaque &c.; A4 sheet list of names and addresses of Bare Bones women's Morris side of Loughborough.
I am lost without these instruments, my main means of musical expression. The Border Pipes are a beautiful set which is, at a price, replaceable; But the Leicestershire Smallpipes, although not much to look at, are a unique and treasured set with a long history and a unique voice.
CONTACT:- "David Ledsam"
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sj