Creativity, craftsmanship and a passion for history are once again taking centre stage as students at the School of Musical Instrument Crafts in Newark embark on their much-anticipated annual Fiddle and Guitar Race.
This year’s race carries special significance. Beyond the excitement of the challenge, the project is rooted in a shared ambition to create something lasting and meaningful for the local community.
The student teams have an impressive goal: to craft the stringed instruments within the tight race timeframe.
Students will be working in groups and have been tasked to recreate a medieval instrument within a week between 15 and 19 December and have studied for months in understanding what instruments were played back in medieval times.
Instruments such as vielles have been identified but students can recreate whatever they want, as long as there’s some historic evidence of it existing back in medieval times and it’s accurate to the materials potentially used back then.
However, speed alone will not decide the winner. Instruments will be judged on the quality of workmanship, creative interpretation, and historical accuracy, reflecting the school’s commitment to both technical excellence and cultural authenticity.
Once completed, all instruments will be showcased in a special exhibition at Newark Castle, opening after the completion of the Castle Gatehouse project. The display will be housed in the Bishop Alexander Room, a space designed to evoke the atmosphere of the past. The winning instrument will take pride of place there permanently.
Adding a modern dimension to the historical experience, visitors will also be able to listen to recordings of the instruments being played. This immersive approach will allow audiences to step back in time and experience medieval life through both sight and sound, imagining the kinds of music that may have echoed through Newark Castle during the 12th and 13th centuries.
The project offers an exciting opportunity to bring history to life in a tangible way, inspiring future generations and deepening public engagement with the region’s heritage.
Course Coordinator for Guitar Making and Repair, Manuel Aragon Gimeno, said: "We're grateful to Newark and Sherwood District Council for their continued support. The collaboration enables the school to demonstrate its value to the community while encouraging learners to embrace creativity and enjoy the journey of learning."
Councillor Rowan Cozens, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Heritage, Culture and the Arts at Newark and Sherwood District Council, added: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for expert instrument makers to put their excellent craft to the test to make an instrument time has all but forgotten. Now we’re bringing that 12th century sound back to modern times so we can really get a sense of what life and atmosphere was like almost 1,000 years ago.
“I’m excited to see what students come up with and a huge thank you to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery players for funding this unique event.
“Once the Castle Gatehouse is complete, visitors will be able to see as well as hear the winning instrument in person – it will truly be a show stopping piece!”
As the race begins, anticipation is building to see what the students create!
