Two of West Dean College’s tutors, Benjamin Hebbert (Making Stringed Musical Instruments) and Jon Privett (Conservation and Making of Metals) made five stringed musical instruments from scrap metal, wood and string as part of a BBC Four TV documentary ‘Scrapheap Orchestra’ which is to be shown on BBC Four on 11 December at 9.30pm, 12 December at 12.30am, 14 December at 7.30pm and 15 December at 2am.

The documentary made by Love Productions is hosted by Charles Hazelwood, inspirational conductor of the BBC concert orchestra and follows the process as musical instrument makers from around the country rise to the challenge of creating an entire orchestra from scrap materials. The journey culminates in a performance at the Royal Albert Hall in July of a specially arranged version of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture.

West Dean College’s tutors Ben and Jon made two double basses and three cellos. The bizarre mix of materials used included a bath tub, a filing cabinet, the bonnet of a Jaguar and oil tank of a Land Rover, old newspapers, bits of string, a sailing mast and scrap wood.

Ben and Jon’s visit to G&R Harris car salvage near Chichester resulted in a good haul of car parts and scrap, including the bonnet of the jaguar (picture above and to the right). So intrigued were the team there, that they donated all the metal to the project. Broken masts were made available by Hayling Island Sailing Club.