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Mandolinquents Grounded
Added: (Tue Sep 12 2006)
Hilary James is the only professional mandobass (bass mandolin)
player in the country, possibly the world. Her instrument is unique. She is part of the Mandolinquents, Britain's first modern mandolin
quartet led by internationally renowned virtuoso, Simon Mayor.
The quartet has just been forced to turn down an invitation to
perform at the Lunel International Mandolin Festival, near
Montpellier in the South of France on the 26th October.
Hilary would normally book three seats on the plane; one for herself
and two for her mandobass, but the BAA helpline confirmed to her this
morning that musical instruments are no longer allowed in the cabin
of any aircraft for the foreseeable future.
She fully expects to pay for two extra seats and the instrument can be fully screened and checked by hand.
She cannot risk the instrument being damaged in the hold as a
replacement would have to be specially built and could take many months. She cannot travel by road or rail as she has to be back in the UK for a concert the following evening.
As a result Britain will not be represented at this international
festival and four musicians are deprived of work.