Star percussionist moves business base into Huntingdon
DEAF percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie’s business has become so successful that she is having to move her activities from her home in Upton into a factory unit Huntingdon.
As well as being probably the world’s best-renowned solo percussionist, in spite of having been profoundly deaf since the age of 12, Dame Evelyn is a much-sought-after motivational speaker, music consultant and jewellery designer.
Now she has bought a brand new 2,250 sq ft semi-detached two storey office building at Hinchingbrooke Business Park as a base for her global concert tours - she is currently on a tour of Japan - and speaking engagements and to store her instruments.
The percussionist’s business adviser Brenda Gillian said it would be the first time there was sufficient space to display Dame Evelyn’s collection of nearly 2,000 instruments - most of which had been stored at Upton until now. They include one of the world’s largest tympani.
“She had a keen interest in collecting instruments, and we are also hoping to get involved in writing books for children - so we decided we needed more space.
“The instrument collection is approaching 2,000, and with percussion most are quite large and had been packed away in cases for years.”
The new premises would also provide space for the musician to be photographed with her instruments, and for the large amount of music library work Dame Evelyn was now doing, Ms Gillian added. “She was just so cramped in her small music room at home.”
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Richard Adam, who handled the sale for Huntingdon-based property agents Barker Storey Matthews, said: “Dame Evelyn Glennie is setting up a new home for the diversification of her business interests. Huntingdon has been her business home for many years and the unit, at Ramsay Court, will now be her official head office.”
There is now only one of the original 15 units at Ramsay Court remaining unsold, Mr Adam said.
Barker Storey Matthews and Bidwells are instructed to market the remaining unit at Ramsay Court which is available to either buy or lease, the BSM director added.
