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Ron and Christine Brown are a British couple who have been visiting Symi for the past 7 years. Whilst on the island in 2004 they read an article in the Symi Visitor about the new music school, which was in the process of being built. They visited the site and found that the school was asking for donations of musical instruments.

Ron is very creative violinmaker and restorer. For the last 15 years this has been his profession. He undertakes specialist commissions for children and designs and makes small violas for people who are young or slight or who may find the holding and playing of a large viola too heavy. His passion is making and restoring double basses. Christine plays the cello and her passion is chamber music.

One of the purposes of their visit to Symi this year was to donate four violins and one cello, of the student variety, from their personal collection to the school. After hearing of their plans, one of Ron’s customers, Footes of London, also donated a violin for the cause. Laskarina Holidays [UK] organized their flights and carriage of the instruments. [In 1999 donations from Laskarina and the Greek singer, Nana Mouskouri, established the music school]. On 16th September Ron and Christine, accompanied by Lemonia, donated the six instruments to the Mayor, Lefteris Papakalodoukas.

Ron promises to offer his services as repairer during subsequent visits. Looking to the future the couple have been discussing the establishment of summer music lessons – one of their daughters is a music teacher and they are now in the process of exploring the possibilities. Ron and Christine also timed their visit to coincide with this year’s visit from UK vet Martin Bilson. They helped Symi Animal Welfare set up the surgery in preparation for Martin’s arrival and then spent the following week catching cats and helping in the surgery. The couple are now searching for a property to rent for a year so that they can spend more time on the island that they have come to love. We should welcome them with open arms and thank them for all the support and generosity they have already given to Symi.

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