Chapter 3. The first step back

Quite naturally the first step to learn about the instrument's history was to contact the previous owner. You'd think that's who I bought it from but it wasn't so. The instrument was sold to my on behalf on the owner by his neighbour. Dodgy it may sound it looks to be legitimate all right. When I asked the seller gave me the owner's phone number with whom I spoke last night over the phone.

But before I will go any further I have just realised how clumsy I am. That was supposed to be something real and real stories take place; usually somewhere else than in the blue nowhere of the Internet. I think I assumed that whoever reads it must somehow know me and be at least vaguely aware of my whereabouts. The fact I paid for the bassoon in £ (pounds sterling) somehow gives away that it was in the United Kingdom but still I neglected the fact that I have just contacted new people and groups across the world who know nothing about me. Pardon me; I shall introduce myself soon but for now let's just say I live in Swansea, Wales, UK and that's all the story takes place.

Back to the story which is not the most thrilling one. The last 30 years the bassoon was simply seasoning in dust somewhere in an attic in Berkshire. Before that it probably was owned by a school in Leek, Staffordshire. In (or around) 1980 Carl, the previous owner, has found it in a skip by the Leek High School. He used to play oboe and he rescued the instrument hoping to restore it. Unfortunately the years flew by and it never happened so after 30 years he decided to pass it on.

Not much but at least I can move one step further. The school. Although there is no school by that name any more, there is the Leek High Specialist Technology School which I hope to be the previous owner so contacting them will be the next step.