A surprise bequest

In our last post we mentioned that, in his AGM address, our Chairman had remembered Harry Harrop, a long-serving volunteer from Marton cum Grafton, who sadly died last December aged 83.

We were recently notified by his executors that Harry had made a very generous bequest to the Festival in his will, for which we are extremely grateful. No decisions have yet been made about how it might be used but the Trustees will be putting their heads together over the coming months to think about that, so watch this space.

This is further evidence that the festival inspires its volunteers as well as its many competitors!

Alan

The Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting was held on Saturday 13^th June.

The HCFMSD Chairman, Paul Dutton presented his report in which he thanked all those who have worked so hard to make the Festival a happy and continuing success. Foremost on this list must be our indefatigable Secretary, Linda Wilson, but Paul also thanked the small army of volunteer stewards and scribes, the “trophy managers”, as well as our sponsors, donors and advertisers, the rest of the Committee and of course all the performers and their parents and teachers, without which there would be no Festival!

Thanks were also given to Harrogate Ladies College for their continuing support, to Tom Ramsden the High Sheriff of North Yorkshire for securing a donation for the Festival from The Spooner Trust and to Harrogate Borough Council who again gave the festival a grant this year.

In his remarks about this year’s Festival, Paul mentioned the introduction of the Novice Ukulele Class, the separation of the Boys and Girls Singing Classes and the separation of the Barbershop and Choir classes as well as a number of other improvements.

Paul also gave us some news about some past performers. Although our overall Young Musician of the Festival winner, saxophonist Jonny Vaux is unable to participate in the Regional Championships he will be playing in the European Youth Summer Music course in August. Our Speech & Drama winner, Jamie Locke together with the Concerto Class winner, cellist Maria Marshall will represent Harrogate at the Regional Championships to be held in Pontefract in September.

Finally Paul paid tribute to Ken Hulme, a Committee member and to Harry Harrop, one of our longest serving volunteers, both of whom sadly died last year.

The Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary were all re-elected unopposed to serve another year. Planning for the 2016 Festival is underway and the Syllabus will soon be published. 

Watch this space!!

Alan