Who We Are

Gavin Pond has over 30 years experience of teaching people from all walks of life. He studied baroque lute and guitar making at West Dean College in West Sussex, worked in a hand-made pottery studio, and has extensive experience of working with people with special needs and challenging behaviour. 

For 10 years he worked at The Acorn School as the Craft teacher where he taught musical instrument making, carpentry, pottery, silversmithing, and blacksmithing. He has also built and restored furniture. He is a visiting tutor at West Dean College. 

In 2020, Gavin pondered if guitars could be built differently; with less destructive impact to the worlds rainforests and a more investment in the mental health and wellbeing of the community,

He discussed the idea with Pam, and the π guitars project was born.

Pam Brown has a background in fundraising and administration with a major national charity. She is a qualified Kindergarten teacher and has taught in several Kindergartens in the area. 

For many years she was school secretary at The Acorn School in Nailsworth, leaving this post to lead The Acorn Kindergarten.

In October 2009, she teamed up with Gavin, a colleague from the Acorn school, and they founded the Nailsworth Community Workshop, where  π guitars are now being built.

Pam organises and co-ordinates all aspects of the Workshop.