Violoncello

This violoncello is made of maple, with a spruce top, and ebony fittings. It is finished with a dark stain. The fingerboard has a Romberg for the low C string. This instrument was used for about 60 years by William Thomas (Tom) Taggart in the Grenaby Church Mission Room. Taggart was born about 1847, and was still playing the cello into his 80s. He was a travelling tailor, Manx speaker and well known local character. He played the cello at various religious meetings, including one in the open air at the top of Barrule. It is recorded that at Kerrowkeil Chapel, one of the first Wesleyan chapels built in the south of the island, music in the early days was provided by Mr Tom Taggart and his bass fiddle (cello), and Kerrowkeil was for many years noted for its hearty singing. Although a harmonium was purchased in 1899, Tom and his fiddle continued for many years to provide the music.