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Video of the pin barrel
harp in action

by Ruth Banks

It might look like a bizarre hybrid of a
gramophone and a mangle, but this mysterious object is actually a
musical instrument.

The pin barrel harp was created by musician
Henry Dagg in Faversham as a commission for the English Folk Dance
and Song Society in London.

It was intended to be a “sound sculpture” for
in their garden in Camden, but having come in two-and-a-half years
after deadline and considerably over budget, Mr Dagg has decided
the instrument is too precious to be left to the elements.

He said: "The man hours that have gone into it
make it a great deal more valuable than if it had been a few months
of work. It really needs a more secure environment than an open
garden in the middle of Camden."

He is now looking for a new home for the harp,
ideally a major London music venue.

Having relied on friends and supporters since
the original funding ran out, Mr Dagg seems relieved to have
finished it.

He said: "I’ve been working 12 hour days on
this. It is a labour of love in the same way that childbirth is I
think."