The 2007-2008 season marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Aylesbury Choral Society, and it is also 25 since the death of its founder, Charles Pope. Charles conducted the Society for 48 years until ill health necessitated his retirement. A former teacher at Aylesbury Grammar School, he made an outstanding contribution to musical life in Aylesbury and it is to him that several of Aylesbury's present music societies owe their origin. It is worth noting that the first youth orchestra in Buckinghamshire was set up under the auspices of the Aylesbury Orchestral Society (now known as the Aylesbury Orchestra), which Charles Pope founded in 1949.

Following his death in 1982 a steering group representing the five musical societies which Charles had founded agreed that a trust should be established in his memory with the objective of continuing one of his particular interests, namely the encouragement and support of young musicians. The Charles Pope Memorial Trust was set up in 1983 and is a grant awarding, charitable body, operating in the Aylesbury Vale area for the benefit of music students of all ages.

Since its inception the Trust has been able to make modest grants to many young (and some more mature) students towards the cost of tuition, purchase or upgrading of instruments, etc. It is dependent for its income mainly on donations from people and other societies who support the objectives of the Trust. Applicants must have lived or been educated in the area administered by Aylesbury Vale District Council for 2 years or more.

The Trust also awards, when occasion allows, a prize to the most promising young singer resident in Aylesbury Vale. Known as the Margaret Fripp prize, it commemorates a former chairman of the Choral Society who died in 1992. She had been a member of the Aylesbury and District Arts Council, a supporter of the Aylesbury Festival and a founding trustee of the Trust.

If you would like to help the work of the Trust, please consider making a donation - the Trustees are very grateful for any help, large or small. The Trust can also benefit further by reclaiming income tax on donations made under Gift Aid by UK tax payers who have completed a simple declaration.

Further details and application forms for grants, are available from the Trust’s secretary. For all enquiries, or to make a donation or request a Gift Aid Declaration form, please contact the Trust’s secretary at:

Charles Pope Memorial Trust
77 Regent Street
Leighton Buzzard
Bedfordshire
LU7 3JY

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