u/rodchenko

Our school - Princes Hill Primary - has been working with Yarra council to promote active travel to school. Tonight the council passed a proposal to connect our school with the linear park, by making Park Street a no through road (for cars, kids and bikes can go through!), and making Wilson Street one way, giving heaps more space for pedestrians and bikes.

There was some well organised opposition from a local retirement village, but the school community was supportive. It passed 5 for, 3 against.

Honestly, it's only a small street in a quiet part of town, and it's only a trial, but it still took a lot of work. We had the support of councillors who haven't always been supportive of more progressive infrastructure, but seemed genuinely keen to support the school and the kids.

I went to a second-hand music store that sells consignment instruments. I tried about 7-8 violins in my price range (~AUD$400). This one sounded and looked the best (also, weirdly, smelled the best). It was a bit more expensive but the bow was broken (I've since fixed it), so i put in a lower offer and they accepted. It was only when i got it home that it clicked that the number might be a date...

Could i really have a violin that old?? A little research tells me Hopf were popular violin makers during that period, but also that the name has been stamped on plenty of other violins.

I'm not concerned about the value (or getting it professionally valued), i just want to enjoy it. But is there anything special i should do to take care of it?

Yarra council just passed the Safer Streets for Schools proposal to close Park and half of Wilson Street to cars! (for an 8 month pilot...)

I may have bought a much older violin than I'd planned - Hopf 1764