ONE Sunday afternoon I went along to the local pub, whistle in hand, and forced my way into the crowded bar. The room was full from wall to wall with musicians furiously launching themselves into endless sets of jigs and reels. In the corner sat a gentleman playing a large wooden instrument with what looked like hundreds of strings, which he played with a set of wooden sticks. As the storming session tunes subsided, the instrument filled the room with the most beautiful, resonating sound.

Everyone fell silent to listen to the hammered dulcimer ringing out its tune, and from that moment I knew that this was the instrument for me.

A couple of years later, I was introduced to the Nonsuch Dulcimer Club, now an organisation with several hundred members, some from as far afield as the USA and Australia.

Apparently, the idea of the club was conceived at Glebe House, in Probus, about ten years ago. So, when I returned to my hometown of Truro I expected to find an abundance of dulcimer players on my doorstep. No such luck! I haven't met a single player in the three years that I've been here.

I don't believe for a second that I'm the only player in the county. There must at least be some people who have an old instrument hidden away in their loft, maybe without realising what it is. (This scenario is surprisingly common!) So what's happening? Is the hammered dulcimer really extinct in Cornwall, or have they simply gone into hiding?

I have been playing the hammered dulcimer, teaching and running workshops throughout the UK for the past 11 years. I have recently recorded a debut album, Totally Hammered, which is 12 tracks of music purely on the hammered dulcimer which has received some great reviews. I would love to meet some other people in the county with whom I can share my knowledge and enthusiasm for the instrument.

There are a number of concerts taking place in Cornwall this year involving some fantastic players from across the country.

In August, The Cornwall Folk Festival will be holding a two-day dulcimer event (for the hammered dulcimer and Appalachian dulcimers). This will feature a concert, workshops from some of the countries leading players and a "drop in centre" for members of the general public to come along and try out the instruments for themselves. There will also be opportunities to meet instrument makers, players and members of the Nonsuch Dulcimer Club.

This would be an ideal time to grab your dulcimer from the loft and give it a test run! You could even get some advice on how to get old instruments restored to their former condition or where to buy or rent some top quality instruments.

If there are any dulcimer players out there, makers or anyone who would like to find our more, contact me now, on 01872 240475.

Kerensa Newman, St Aubyns Vean, Truro