Lecturer’s £80,000 gift to help fund chorister trust
A retired Bath University chemistry lecturer has left a legacy of £80,000 to the Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust to help fund musical training for more local children. Janet Jones, who died aged 84 in June last year, lived in Saltford on the edge of the Bath and Wells diocese, but often visited Wells to attend the world-famous daily choral evensong which is broadcast regularly on BBC Radio Three. Miss Jones who had no children of her own, was anxious that others should benefit from her legacy. “She just loved music,” said her friend and neighbour Ruth Pryce, a retired primary school teacher. “She was very knowledgeable about church music. She loved the organ and choral singing, and we had very many visits down to Wells Cathedral. I am pleased she has made this legacy and the rest of the family are equally delighted.” Jenny Kingston, chair of Wells’ chorister trust, said: “We had no idea this legacy was on its way until we were contacted out of the blue by Miss Jones’ solicitor. It will make a big difference to us and we are enormously grateful.” The chorister trust is currently fundraising to create a £10 million fund to provide enough permanent income to pay for choral training for all 36 boys and girls in the cathedral choir Mrs Kingston said: “Every year dozens of talented local seven to 10 year-olds audition for the choir. They don’t have to have any previous musical training, just that spark of musical ability.” The selected children are then educated at Wells Cathedral School, one of only four government supported specialist music schools in Britain. Mrs Kingston said: “We try to provide financial support for as many choristers as we can, but we want to be able to provide free places for all of them.” Many youngsters who receive a choral musical training at Wells go on to become professional musicians.