Taunton Festival of the Arts has set up its Bursary Scheme in memory of Ron Prentice.

Ron was a well-known Double Bass player and instrument maker in the Taunton area. He died in October 2019.

He was born and brought up in London, and for many years he worked there as a freelance musician in many genres, including providing backing for the Beatles and working with the London Symphony Orchestras.

Our Bursaries will provide a financial boost to talented children and young people who have participated in Festival events and who have a specific project in mind.

Such projects may be one-off courses or Summer Schools, involvement in Regional or National Youth Arts organisations or the purchase of equipment.

Normally grants will have a maximum of £250.

The Scheme will be managed by three of the Festival’s Trustees. It will be financed from one-off events (like raffles) and from donations.

The Management Group will make decisions about bids according to the following criteria:

1. The value of the proposal to the artistic development of the applicant

2. The costs of the project

3. The efforts made by the applicant to raise money.

Applications will be considered from those who reside within thirty miles of Taunton. In special circumstances, the Management Group could consider bids from those who live further afield. Applicants should be eighteen years or younger at the time of the bid.

Bids for grants must be made by the child or young adult themselves using the Online Application form except in special circumstances. Usually, they should be supported by a parent/guardian and a teacher.

The Management Group will accept only one bid per calendar year from each individual person.