Whilst in London he would frequent the Caledonian Road, Portobello, and Bermondsey markets, making friendships with those who shared his interests, such as Canon Francis Galpin, who encouraged Bate to turn his scientific education to the study of musical instruments. Bate used his carpentry skills to make and restore instruments in his collection and after learning metalworking techniques, made reproductions of draw-trumpets used by David Munrow's Early Music Consort of London.
While in London, he visited the Caledonian Road, Portobello, and Bermondsey markets to interact with individuals who shared his interests, such as Canon Francis Galpin, who encouraged Bate to use his scientific education for musical instrument studies. Bate utilized his carpentry skills to create and restore instruments in his collection and after learning metalworking techniques, he produced reproductions of draw-trumpets used by David Munrow's Early Music Consort of London.