Crikey mate, that was fast. Great stuff.

Hi Mike, Have a great time. See you at Backwell

Hi Mike, Thanks for you comment. The family have lost and awful lot of information on him one way or another. You say that you used to travel down to Devon, where in the UK are you? Where was Horace Craddy based then? I've never heard that name mentioned before by father. and to think he was taught by my namesake's father is quite surprising to me. Clearly unlike our family, the banjo obviously ran in their family. Could you tell me how and when you would have met my father in the first place. I appreciate you have said at your Banjo Teacher's home, but where was that and why was my father there? Was it during the war years, in Egypt, or later and how did it come about? Like I said it is a world that we as a family know very little about and he never used to want to talk about it much. Did you ever get to the Camden Banjo Festival in the 70's? Wew would appreciate copies of any old photos you have and also anything else that you have we might like to see. It is not easy trying to build up a proper picture of him. The other names that you mentioned as bringing down with you are totally unknown to me. They are clearly "Banjo Followers" in some shape or other.

The more contacts I make the more I am wondering whether or not we could arrange a local "Banjo Festival" here in Launceston or somewhere in this area and call it the "Tom Barriball Memmorial Festival or something of that nature. Would it get much support do you think? Please keep in touch, my personal email address is ktbarriball@btinternet.com. Kind regards and thanks for your info, Tarry Barriball.

Thanks Mike, I would much appreciate that - hope you are enjoying Turkey. We went there three years on the trot a while ago and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves (my wife & I that is). Look forward to hearing from you on your return to the UK. Kind regards and enjoy, Tarry

I know where to come then if I need a holiday ive always wanted to go to Cyprus.Im no where near as good as I used to be very rusty and have a lot to learn again so yes this site is fantastic.

im sure you know that I lost my father this year very sad time for me as i loved

him very much but its him thats made me decide to make a come back so I need all the help I can get

take care and keep in touch x

Oh dear the joys of living abroad I hope you managed to fix your banjos

like you said they are our life line

Hi Mike

It sounds great, a very brilliant tone, possible improved by age.  There is a bit of a twist in the neck where it was left for years under a bed without the strings slackened but this does not seem to affect playing or sound.   It also has a really solid and sturdy feel--something made to last and give service, unlike things today. 

Good wishes

John   

Hi Mike

No unfortunately it has steel strings but  have now released the tension and will replace them with gut strings.

Good wishes

John