StuartEstell

Thanks for the prompt, Jim. Jeffries layout - so ideal if you think you might want one of the Jeffries family's boxes of wonder later on...

For sale is my 2002 standard model A.C. Norman & co. 30-key C/G anglo. Some of you will be very familiar with the sound of this box from my recordings over the years; I'm raising funds for a really good Bb/F, so this needs a new home. This instrument is bright, loud and very fast for a hybrid concertina. It's had a smoke-free home, and despite heavy usage there is only light cosmetic wear to the wood stain on the handrests and along one edge (illustrated). Here is a recent sound file: https://soundcloud.com/lachenaliamusic/sweet-jenny-jones Earlier this year it was fine-tuned by Andrew Norman himself, and has had felt bushing added (as per his deluxe model) to reduce key noise. Andrew's current lead time for direct orders is 18-20 months, and I believe these instruments are now priced new in the region of £1400. With that in mind I'm asking £975, plus postage/insurance at cost. The pictured hard case is included. Please feel free to ask questions, and I'll happily take more photographs if requested. You are also welcome to come and try the instrument, which is in Birmingham, UK. If it sells through Concertina.Net I'll make the customary donation to the site. Thank you for your interest.

Great stuff - as Wolf says, I'm looking forward to hearing your playing develop. I'm sure you'll reach a high standard quickly. And what a nice tone that box has. I bet you're pleased with it.

Thank you Chris, I should be delighted. In the meantime, I have received a letter from a Mrs. Pergola, of South Wales. It is a little hard to decipher, but seems to indicate that there may be a large stash of Jedcertinas buried somewhere to the north of Swansea.

MORNINGTON CRESCENT!

I've come across Bb Maccanns before - if, like me, you find F and Bb good keys for singing, that might make the instrument more attractive rather than less, if you decide to sing with it...

And for me to play a Helter-Skelter diagonal to Abbey Road This is all getting rather tense.

An expert move, Don. Very impressive.

A straightforward pass through to Marble Arch - a frequently-used stalling manoeuvre. Mrs. Trellis has complained about such play before, before forgetting to post the letter and going out to trim her wisteria.

Let's hope the sisters can avoid the ghosts of Mean Fiddlers at Harlesden Game-play is definitely intensifying. A couple of deft moves could put us into endgame.

Did you mean to leave it open for the play of Belsize Park? A high-risk strategy and one I applaud.

Mr. Timson, sir - are these Docklands Light Railway manoeuvres permitted? I fear the consequences of the light railway opening up darkened corners of this hitherto arcane game.

Right away, esteemed chairman. The only reasonable response to David's play of Uxbridge is to go directly to Cockfosters - a station at which it is quite legitimate to arrive by tube, and very difficult to leave by water-cannon. (Historical side-note: for some years local residents campaigned for a more genteel pronunciation - think Bucket/bouquet - but taking out the first syllable altogether proved too much for those of a sensitive disposition)

I can heartily recommend the Jeff duet for that sort of thing. It's very happy in keys like Ab, Eb, Db etc.

Which enables me to play OLD STREET

Quite so Adrian - which makes it a great key for bass runs!

A tactical play of THEYDON BOIS from me. Samantha once got lost in the woods there, and ended up thoroughly coppiced.

I'm sorry Don, that's not a valid move. The Beeching Closure Manoeuvre has been outlawed since Kenneth Williams attempted to deploy it against Willie Rushton in a particularly tense game in 1983. Play was momentarily halted due to vitriol on the line, but quickly resumed thanks to Samantha and her wet wipes, resulting in the play of MANSION HOUSE

...which thus requires a reversal, via Earl's Court, to Wimbledon Park The role of Earl's Court in our game has long been discussed. A lengthy treatise on the subject was written by the great Edwardian entrepreneur and owner of the world's first Knee Manufactory, Professor Harold Trousers, native of Halesowen. Unfortunately, when he was discovered to be a bigamist, all copies of his tome were gathered together and destroyed by his wives Pat and Ella.

Too late, Wolf, I have already escorted her a stop further on, to Green Park Players with a keen memory will recall the late, great Willie Rushton's frequent play of this station in the early 1980s. He referred to it as "the tinned lemon surprise", although this soubriquet was without foundation in any of the published rulebooks.

Nicely done, Mr. Nighthawk. Perhaps you could rescue Samantha from the baggage collection while you're there?

Brave move, Steve. I'll counter with an ecumenical orbit (third class) by playing Heathrow Terminal 4.

A fine move, Paul, and one that will alluviate the standard of play.

No, anything outside home keys goes on the duet - and to be honest I don't really sing with anglo that much these days. Sadly I don't have a Bb/F. One day...

Well-spotted, Steve. The next move will need to employ some sort of rotational matrix.