“The Oldest Thing I Own is a Violin but not a Stradavarius.” by Gerry Ainger

Well this is an easy story to write, it my mother's 'violin'. She passed it on to me way back in 1970, when I was playing my guitar in my bedroom. She came into my bedroom with violin in hand, she said as I was the only one in our family musically minded I could take over the ownership. She took it out of the case and proceeded to tune it up and the played 'God Save the Queen'. Then handed it to me and said it is yours. It needs a little TLC other wise it is a good instrument. She went on to tell me that she had not played it since 1938 when she played at Southampton Guildhall in the Southampton Music Festival. So I feel she must have been pretty good as she had not touched it for 30 years or more. 
This is one good memory I will never forget. I also have Certificates from 1936 and 1937 where she came first in solo and third in Duet also at Southampton music festival. Yes I was thoroughly impressed and I feel I never attained the same in guitar. But still very enjoyable. By the way this Violin is circa 1929 which is fairly old and valuable as sentimental but not monetary,

A Copy of Certificate, History.

 My Guitar is around 34, not 100 per cent sure. It has been through the wars but still very playable.. Lifeblood of a guitarist,,,still tuning and playing it and not letting one down, still beating.