Hexham violin shop's 50-year journey celebrated in new book

The book, now published, sheds light on the shop, its luthiers, and its clientele over the past 50 years.

Its focal point is Dave Mann, a Newcastle-born man who has been at the core of this establishment for more than three and a half decades.

On June 20, more than 60 of the shop's 'fiddle family' celebrated the book inside Hexham Abbey.

Mr Mann, now semi-retired, believes that he has crafted more than 200 fiddles during his time as a luthier.

Several of those fiddles were at the event - being played by household names, such as Mr Mann's daughter Claire Mann, Peter Tickell and Tom McConville, and by keen amateur fiddlers and violinists alike.

A highlight was Mr Mann's daughters, Sarah Wilson and Ms Mann, playing two waltzes - "the first time my two girls have played together for over 30 years," said Mr Mann.

Sarah Wilson and Claire Mann (Image: Rob Ferguson)

A Q&A session with Mr Mann and Dr Gregson was hosted by The Rev. Paul Knox.

Mr Mann, originally from Benwell in Newcastle, joked that the prospect of being written about was initially "a bit of a laugh."

The Rev. Paul Knox, Dave Mann and Nicky Gregson (Image: Rob Ferguson)

Mr Mann said: "Nicky’s questions kept making me stop and think.

"I found I was recalling stuff from the past and details kept coming back.

"It got to be interesting."

The book spans Mr Mann's upbringing in Newcastle's West End, drumming in city nightclubs, his time as an engineering apprentice, and the careful work of making, repairing, and restoring violins.

It is also a journey through the Northeast, from Benwell, via Washington to Hexham.

New shop proprietor and fellow luthier, Stephen Ramsey, praised the "lovely community feeling" of the event.

He said: "It’s a celebration of Dave’s working life and of everyone enjoying being part of the Dave Mann fiddle family."

Dr Gregson's The Violin Shop is available at Hexham Violins Ltd, 27 Hencotes, Hexham, or can be ordered via Amazon.