He was taking a course in making Banjos and their history at London Guildhall University( used to be London College of Furniture) a few years ago and became a splendid maker, He is, and has been one of my heros since I heard him play with Wiz Jones in the 60s. His first (personally made) Banjo when he strung it up for the first time was amazing and he played a"Flatt and Scruggs" medley on it for me. he has got to be one of the UKs best banjo pickers and now a serious Historian of the Banjo and maker too.