I am starting a venture with a colleague of mine to take instrumental music (initially just the violin, but this may expand to other instruments at a later date) into primary schools that currently have no provision provided by their council/county arts service. The main aim is to provide a facility for children whose parents would be unable to pay for private tuition.

To start the venture we need six violins, 1/4 or 1/2 size or a mixture of both.

String teachers - do you have any pupils who have a small violin lurking in a cupboard at home, or do you have one yourself that you want to sell?

We can pay a maximum of £25 for each violin. The condition of the instrument is not particularly important - if it needs a bridge or some new strings that doesn't matter, we still want the instrument.

Please PM me if you think you might be able to help.

Thanks
AmandaL

That's a great idea! Would it be worth looking at Ebay at all?

I see lots of beginner violin sets on there for around £30, but if you were buying in bulk they may be able to knock a bit off. Some sellers also give the option of collecting in person to save on postage as well.

Sorry if that's no use, but it might be an idea

Good luck

As well as eBay there's the possibility of finding something (and also putting a "wanted" message) on Freecycle. The main purpose of the organisation is keeping stuff out of landfill, and people may not be very likely to throw an old violin in the bin, but I've seen a violin offered on our local (Reading) group recently. There was also a request for one from someone who had missed out on the one offered.

The Freecycle idea is to enable people to get rid of unwanted items for no money, or similarly to acquire things they want or need, keeping usable items out of landfill and recycling in a positive way. Groups have been springing up all over the country and there's a thriving one in Reading. The groups are Yahoo-based, and you need a Yahoo identity to join one. I think you can find your nearest group by visiting
http://www.uk.freecycle.org/groups/

Thanks for the Freecycle info. I have joined the Richmond on Thames group.