A MAN with his roots in North Nibley has won a Queen Elizabeth Scholarship to help him extend his repertoire of making early, bowed musical instruments.

Clive Lee, 39, who was brought up in the village and went to North Nibley Primary School, will be presented with his £8,750 award by Viscount Linley at the Royal Warrant Holders lunch in London on Tuesday, June 8.

The former Katharine Lady Berkeley's School pupil can now continue his studies at West Dean College, Chichester, by starting a postgraduate diploma in Making Early Stringed Musical Instruments.

Mr Lee said: "The course will enable me to extend my musical instrument making skills from English consort viols to French seven-string viols and baroque violins and cellos.

"It is unique in focusing on early bowed instruments and in its emphasis on practical skill.

"Highlights include lectures by visiting authorities in early music, viol lessons with Alison Crum, one of Britain's leading professional players, study visits to museum collections in the UK and abroad and a strong focus on practical skill during the many hours spent in the workshop."

Queen Elizabeth Scholarships are designed to advance education in modern and traditional crafts and trades in Britain and are open to people of all ages.

When Mr Lee was at school he enjoyed music and woodwork and later in life he began listening to early music.

He added: "Making early instruments is a wonderful way to combine these interests."

Three years ago he took a nine-month cabinet making course and last year he became a student at Chichester learning to make early bowed musical instruments which are then sold to professional musicians.

He covers his costs for tools and expenses by lecturing to overseas students at Leeds University and University College, Chichester, having started his career as an English teacher and lecturer in Singapore and Hong Kong.

Mr Lee's ambition is to establish himself as a professional maker of viols and other baroque instruments of the violin family which reproduce as far as possible historically accurate sound for musicians interested in early music.

He said: "I would like musicians to be able to choose from a menu of English consort viols, French seven-string viols and violin family instruments based on those by the leading makers, such as the Stradivari family."