About Bryan Blackmore

I was born in Nantgarw, South Wales. One of six children, my father an electrician in the coal mines and my mother a housewife, I enjoyed a happy and contented childhood. On completing my education in the summer of 1975 I joined the firm of the late "John Weston Thomas" of Sealyham Pembrokeshire where I served an enjoyable, varied and comprehensive five year apprenticeship, covering every aspect of harpmaking from research, design and construction to complete renovation. Following three years of consolidation I then became a professional harpmaker.

I undertook a complete change in my career when I joined the Royal Navy in 1983. This gave me the opportunity to broaden my outlook on life. I visited many countries around the world and gained knowledge and experience of different cultures and ways of life. However the highlight of my naval career was a three year draft aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia where I worked alongside the Royals as a boats coxswain, enabling transfers to and from the Yacht. Now decommissioned, the Yacht is berthed in Leith in Scotland as part of our national heritage.

After an enjoyable and fulfilling eight years of naval service, I decided to return to harpmaking in West Wales where I once again worked alongside my dear friend and mentor John Thomas, until his sudden death in December 1992. A wonderfully unique and gifted person, his death was a tragic and sad loss to all who knew him.

It was John's desire for the craft of harpmaking to continue for future generations to appreciate and enjoy. With this in mind, his designs, innovations and aspirations live on in the harps I craft today.

Now married with two daughters, I have settled in Llangwm, an estuary village in beautiful Pembrokeshire. I established my own purpose built harp workshop in 2001. Using traditional methods combined with modern capabilities, I continue to hand craft Celtic and Triple harps. Working together with renowned Harpists in Wales, building on their expertise and advice, I have further developed and perfected my range of harps available. All models are bespoke instruments, individually hand crafted by myself. Scrollwork, veneers, stains and decoration can be selected according to the personal choice of each individual customer.

Repairs to folk, antique, Gothic and Grecian harps can also be undertaken from a simple overhaul and re-polish to more complex repair work and restoration.

Overseas enquiries are welcome. I have exported Triple and Gwalia harps to Tokyo in Japan, Kansas in the USA and Wellington in New Zealand.

My desire is to continue to contribute to the promotion of harp playing in Wales and beyond, through the provision of my high quality, bespoke harpmaking service.

I hope you find my Website interesting and helpful. Alternatively you may wish to telephone or to arrange a visit to the workshop, to meet me and see a harp in the process of being crafted.