A Guernsey charity · caring for the island's instrument
The Guernsey Harpsichord Trust was established in 1977 to look after the island's harpsichord — an instrument built by Andrew Garlick after a French harpsichord by Jean-Claude Goujon, and brought to Guernsey following a generous donation.
Find out about the harpsichord This year's recital - 30 July 2026
History
The story runs from a teacher's kit-built instrument to a professionally crafted one, and a Trust set up to care for it.
Guernsey's first harpsichord was assembled by Alan Middleton, a teacher at Elizabeth College, from a Tomlinson kit — a remarkable undertaking in its own right. The instrument was well used in its day, travelling for concerts and taking an active part in the island's musical life.
As Guernsey's musical life grew, it became clear that the island needed a more established harpsichord. A generous donation made it possible to acquire one that had been professionally built.
An instrument built by Andrew Garlick — modelled after a French harpsichord by Jean-Claude Goujon (1733–1758) — was identified in Headington, Oxford, by John McCormack, and brought to Guernsey by John Golightly. The Guernsey Harpsichord Trust was established the same year to look after it.
