Appeal for information for musicians' trust centenary

Published Tuesday, 12th December 2017

A HARTLEPOOL charity which supports local youngsters in their musical studies is appealing for people to come forward with information to help commemorate its centenary.

The Preston Simpson and Sterndale Young Musicians Trust, administered by Hartlepool Borough Council, makes annual financial awards to young musicians to enable them to study music at any educational establishment providing courses in musical education.

Since its scholarships were first awarded in April 1918 in memory of local man Preston Simpson who was killed in the battle of Ypres in 1917, the trust has helped hundreds of young people.

The 2017 Preston Simpson and Sterndale Young Musicians Trust grant recipients pictured with the Chair of the Trust Chris Simmons.

The 2017 Preston Simpson and Sterndale Young Musicians Trust grant recipients pictured with the Chair of the Trust Chris Simmons.

To mark its centenary, a special exhibition is being organised at Community Hub Central in York Road in April next year, followed by one at the Museum of Hartlepool in August.

The organisers would like to feature details of all the trust’s grant recipients but unfortunately its records are incomplete, so they are asking for anyone with information about any past recipients to get in touch.

In particular, they are keen to track down:

* The full name of the recipient

* The year of the award

* The instrument studied, such as piano, vocal, etc.

* Where the studies took place, such as Guildhall, the Royal College of Music, etc.

* A short biography of the recipient

Chris Simmons, Chair of the Trust, said: “Over many years the grants have played an important part in helping many talented young people in Hartlepool to overcome financial hurdles in the pursuit of their musical careers.

“Although our records for recent years are of course complete, going further back in time we are not so fortunate.

“It would be lovely if people could help us fill those gaps so that we can make next year’s centenary exhibitions as comprehensive as possible.”

Anyone who can help with the missing information should please contact Anna Dodgson at the Council on (01429) 523428 or email anna.dodgson@hartlepool.gov.uk as soon as possible.