Chris Apps will retire soon

I must retire soon

The time has come for me to teach someone else all I know
so that I might retire and relax a little

Why am I retiring? In 1991 I sat myself down in the only room of my tiny cottage – in front of the fire as we had no central heating - and taught myself how to make bagpipe reeds. It was 1991 and the recession had hit Britain. I was one of many who had been made redundant.  I was 29. I’m now 63. I’m tired, my spinal stenosis has progressed, and things just hurt. I am making great reeds, but I can no longer get out and about for workshops and highland games. And so, the time has come for me to teach someone else all I know so that I might retire and relax for a bit.

Thinking of becoming a reed-maker? 

Now is a good time to start

We have never sold a business before and as with all endeavors, it has been a learning curve.  Current political issues have caused uncertainty and buying an entire business is costly. Over the last few months we have listened, studied, and come up with something a little different.

The piping community, like many things, has become less localized and therefore less personal.  With that in mind, we have thought up something that is affordable and will benefit local piping communities by providing a local expert.  

Chris Apps Reeds is proposing to train one piper in each of the following regions, USA, Canada, UK, Europe and Australia.  Training will include everything you need to know to produce top quality bagpipe reeds. We will not provide any equipment. Instead, we will provide you with equipment specifics you can use to locally source the machinery you will need. 

Training will be individual and should take about 2 months.  You may call your reed business anything you’d like so long as it does not contain the words Chris Apps Reeds. It will be your business alone. Remember, Chris is retiring due to ill health and is eager to pass his skill on to others.  

Important considerations

1.Reed-making cannot be learned at a weekend workshop and this is NOT what is being offered.

2. Only those interested in starting a proper reed-making business should apply.

3. This is not something you should consider doing in your retirement.

4. You must be a proficient piper to produce good quality reeds.

5. Chris Apps Reeds cannot offer any guarantees on future sales. Chris will teach you how to make reeds and help you source machinery. The rest is up to you.

6. We will consider training two (or more) at the same time if you are considering going into business together

Please tell me about yourself
If you are someone who loves pipes, being alone, working with your hands, are quite pedantic, and interested in owning your own business please let me know. I’ve created a little questionnaire for those who are interested. It is designed to give both you and I some guide on how you would fit the role of reed maker.  I look forward to hearing from you. 

The Questionnaire

Reminder for my customers, Please be assured that I will continue to make reeds until everything is in place for a successful transfer and the same exacting quality of the reeds you now receive.