As part of the annual Lutherie seminar in Newark on Trent, the RAB Trust held a sale of tools, books and materials that had been donated or bequeathed over recent months.
An important part the RAB Trust’s work is redistributing these items to be utilised in the trade by students and professionals alike and in doing so, this sale alone raised over £4800 for the charity.
The donations were first offered during the inaugural Student Forum, organised by Lutherie to offer talks and advice specific to those who have not yet joined the profession https://www.lutherieuk.org/. Students were given first pick of the tools on sale and were only asked to pay half the ticket price.
The Student Forum welcomed current students from all UK violin making schools and RAB Trust gave a £50 travel grant to participants from West Dean and Merton College.
As participants of the Lutherie seminar and Newark School Alumni arrived for the Lutherie talks, which this year celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Newark School of Violin Making, the tool sale was opened up to all and much of what was offered sold.
New donations continue to be collected by the Trustees and many useful items are already building up for the next sale, which is likely to be held at the school in Newark in the autumn.