A NATIONAL Trust volunteer from Mary Tavy is undertaking a fundraising challenge to play every musical instrument at the trust’s historic properties within the South West.

Simon Arnold began the 11 day challenge last Friday (September 21), embarking on a journey which will see him play 15 working pianos and organs in his quest to raise money to help ‘keep music alive’.

Simon’s challenge ‘Pachelbel’s Progress’ involves a repertoire chosen to reflect the spirit of each place, with pieces including Greensleeves, Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven, the Charleston, Clair de Lune by Debussy and The Entertainer. Money raised will be put towards conserving musical instruments of all kinds across the National Trust.

Simon began the challenge last week at National Trust’s Tudor Cotehele Estate in Cornwall where he played the organ built in 1840s.

He said: ‘I’m very passionate about music and want to keep it alive through my playing — this is why I’m doing this challenge.

‘Music has been part of my life since I was a child and is still something that I do every day in my retirement, especially as I already volunteer to play at six National Trust places.

‘I came up with the challenge one day and thought “wouldn’t it be fun to do?”

‘From this I am hoping to raise enough money to restore some of the most impressive musical instruments in the National Trust’s collection, including Killerton’s pipe organ which is in need of a new pedal-board to bring it back to full fitness and also a 200-year-old Broadwood grand piano.’

Simon’s musical journey began when he became a chorister at Christ Church Cathedral Choir School, Oxford, when he was just eight years old. He went on to become a lay clerk at Bath Abbey and Peterborough Cathedral after studying music at university in Bath. One special piece that will be played at each National Trust property is Pachelbel’s Canon.

‘This challenge means an awful lot to me,’ added Simon. ‘Pachelbel’s Canon is my favourite piece of music, it is beautifully memorable.

‘I hope to raise enough money to conserve some historically significant keyboard instruments. I also want to inspire people of all ages to get involved with music and see what it can bring to their lives.’

Denise Melhuish from National Trust said: ‘Simon has been volunteering for four years and his passion and dedication to this is inspiring.

‘We are thrilled to be supporting this challenge and also hope his fingers are feeling particularly nimble for those two weeks.

‘Music is something that has the ability to connect people with their memories and heritage so it is important that we conserve this for future generations.’

Participating National Trust properties include: Killerton (September 27), Coleton Fishacre (21), Greenway (25), Bradley Manor (25), Lanhydrock (22), Cotehele (21), Trelissick (24), Stourhead (23), Arlington Court (27), St Michael’s Mount (30), Trerice (24), Buckland Abbey (26), Castle Drogo (22), Overbeck’s (26) and Knightshayes on October 1.

Simon added that he was looking forward to playing the organ which was given to Lady Acland of Killerton House on her wedding day by her parents in 1806. Lady Acland was taught on this organ by Samuel Sebastian Wesley, who was the organist at the time at Exeter Cathedral. Wesley created a piece of music for Lady Acland which Simon will play on the same organ today (September 27) as part of the challenge.

Simon launched a JustGiving page where people are able to donate. To support Simon, you can visit him whilst he is undertaking his challenge or you can visit www.justgiving.com/nationaltrustmusic