Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Former headmaster Michael Connellan has been enjoying a musical retirement since retraining - as a violin maker.
Michael, who joined the OU in its inaugural year to study for a degree, spent ten years learning the art of making string instruments in the workshop of his home at Polstead, Suffolk.
Now 75, he remains in touch with the education world through crafting and repairing instruments for local schools where he believes music is an important part of the curriculum.
His own parents steered him away from music, and from the career working with his hands which he believes he probably ought to have pursued.
"I loved music. but I wasn't allowed to learn it as a child," he said. "My grandmother played the piano at silent films and one of my earliest memories is sitting on her knee with this huge screen right above my head."
Interestingly, he might not have encountered the same opposition to a career as a craftsman today.
Each year around 30 new violin makers are trained.
Michael says: "That just about saturates the market...
"I work within a 20-mile radius of my home and while I can't make a living out of it, the money it brings in is useful. It takes me 100 hours to make a violin, for which I will charge around pounds 550. A cello will take 200 hours."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments