For the love OF MUSIC

These inspiring women are certainly marching to the beat of their own drum

- GILLIAN HARVEY

It's wonderful making my sons proud'

Helen Hammond, 58, a teacher, lives in Oxfordshire with her husband Tim, 59, and their sons Noah, 25, Ruben, 22, and Brodie 20.

'Don't suppose you know any fiddlers?" my friend Jim asked on a pub night out.

I stayed silent, but my husband Tim, 59, a London cabby, piped up, 'Helen plays violin!' I was horrified. It was 2022 and my violin had been gathering dust on top of the wardrobe for more than three decades.

Jim plays in a successful folk rock band, The Sham Cartel, and wanted someone good enough to perform. I'd learnt violin to grade 8 in my teens and played in Essex Youth Orchestra for a time. But I'd been second violin and never felt good enough.

I finally quit aged 18 after my mum, Tricia, died in 1984 - she had been the driving force behind my musical endeavours.

'Just give it a go,' Jim said. It was December and he suggested I tried to learn Fisherman's Blues by The Waterboys over the holidays. Reluctantly, I agreed.

To my surprise, after I'd dusted and tuned my instrument, and watched some YouTube tutorials, I began to find my fingerings again. My boys would exchange glances whenever I scraped a bow across the strings. But by the end of the holidays, I had mastered the tune.

In January 2023, I found myself walking up onstage in The Red Lion pub, Eynsham, to join The Sham Cartel. I was nervous, but the audience reaction changed everything.

Unlike being in an orchestra, onstage with a band you're very visible - forced to step into the limelight. But I found it was great to finally be noticed.

Over time I've become an integral member of the band, helping with backing vocals as well as taking centre stage with my violin a few times a month.

My years of teaching have helped me to create a confident persona onstage.