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Nailsworth volunteers to build guitar for Billy Bragg

Matt Bigwood Gavin Pond who runs the workshops holding an electric guitar made of woodMatt Bigwood
"We've all got a few scratches from life but we're still beautiful," said Gavin Pond

A guitar will be built from scratch in 12 hours and then played by musician Billy Bragg to raise money.

Pi Guitars in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, offers guitar-building workshops using recycled and locally-sourced wood to help people struggling with anxiety and mental health issues.

Workshop volunteers will take on the 12-hour challenge on Saturday.

"It's a celebration of everyone's hard work," said Gavin Pond, who runs the sessions.

The concert will take place in the Nailsworth Subscription Rooms, where the workshops also take place.

Pam Brown Participants in the Nailsworth workshop building a guitarPam Brown
Normally, the workshop makes about nine guitars every year

The money made from ticket sales to the concert will fund future guitar-building workshops.

Mr Pond, said the volunteers who attend them only use recycled or locally sourced wood to make the guitars.

"We embrace the fact that the wood has had a life before," he added. "We've all got a few scratches from life but we're still beautiful, it's okay."

Normally, the workshop makes about nine guitars every year.

Matt Bigwood Finished electric guitars hanging on a wallMatt Bigwood
All guitars are made from recycled and locally-sourced wood

"Over lockdown, we started doing speed builds for fun," Mr Pond said.

"We did two 24-hour builds, which was great fun. We thought if we work together, we could probably get it down to 12 hours."

Mr Pond added that the event would be "about having fun, and sharing a laugh".

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