Look no further than a Fred Rose, based in Nelson, Lancashire, just a hop up the M60/66 from Chorlton. This might be an overstatement, but Fred seems to be fast becoming the Stefan Sobell of whistle makers.

His whistles are all high D's made from Blackwood and Delrin. The delrin whistles are superb, each one created and voiced individually and probably the best plastic whistle I've played (though admittedly that's, er, two), but the wooden whistles are on another level.

The blackwood is sourced from a village in Tanzania where it is harvested sustainably by a local family - true frairtrade wood. The mouthpiece and trim is silver and plays like a dream - the whistle seems to want to be played. I got mine in November and love it - I had a Bleazey before but struggled with it (especially in the second register) but no such issues with the Rose.

On top of all this, Fred is a loverly bloke and a true craftsman. A visit to his workshop is a delight, and the quality of his workmanship second to none. They are costly - but I can't see me ever wanting another whistle, as nothing I've heard comes close to a Rose.

P.S. I have to declare a slight interest here - Fred is a good friend of a good friend of mine (!) and it was him who put me in touch with Fred originally. The URL is http://www.fredrose.co.uk.