Allan's £95,000 quest for top piano

Until June they'll be putting on concerts as Allan tries to get sponsor-ship for every one of the 12,000 parts which make up a Steinway Model D Concert Grand.

He's looking for pledges of, say, 100 for the Middle C key (or any other of the 88 keys), or perhaps one of the strings, right down to a fiver for an agraffe (it's a little hook).

"If I don't raise the money the piano will have to go back to Steinway," says Allan.

He doesn't sound like a man even contemplating failure.

If the name's familiar, it's because he was at the helm of Sheffield's late lamented Wilson Peck music store.

Three years ago he moved to Worksop and felt it lacked something - a first rate piano for The Crossing, a combined church, community centre and cafe.

"I've felt ever since I came here that if I could put some of my experience into Worksop it would be nice," he says.

He can't quite remember where he got the idea for the Sound of Steinway Project but he felt he was on a winner. All he had to do was convince other people.

He had the contacts and went to London to meet the company's top man in this country.

"I said, would like you to loan me a Model D for nine months? He looked at me aghast but he agreed!"

Allan did it just in time because the man has since moved on, but not before generously pledging the company to giving 12,550 towards Worksop's Fine Centre for Music.

Allan is busy persuading individuals, organisations and companies to cough up.

The Steinway is a big attraction for pianists. Benjamin Frith performed there recently and Anda Anastesescu gives a concert this Saturday.

Already more than 2,500 in donations has come in, with 25 from a pensioner who said it was the best thing that had happened to the town for years.

Allan is a pianist so he's played it. What is it like?

"It's mind boggling because you get such a beautiful sound and the acoustics of the building are particularly good," he says.

Visit www.crossingmusic.org for concerts and how to donate.