The Trustees of WCCT are delighted that the Coronation Fund has now reached its target of £500,000. Thank you to all those that have supported this appeal.
Following the momentous Coronation, and inspired by its theme of inclusion, the Trustees of the Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust launched the Coronation Fund appeal in September 2023, to support talented children. The funds raised will be restricted to bursaries for families that are unable to make any significant contribution to the fees.
Wells Cathedral Choir offers fabulous opportunities for musical children. It is vital that the Choir can recruit choristers on merit alone with no child being denied a place through inability to meet the associated fees. Despite all our efforts, voices of the utmost beauty are not being heard in Wells Cathedral.
The Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust enjoys the support of HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh. With her help, and the help of all our supporters and friends, we have created a fund that can make a real difference.
“Reaching the £500,000 target for the Coronation Fund is a remarkable milestone — not simply in financial terms, but in what it makes possible. This fund will open the doors to choristers whose families might otherwise find such an education beyond reach. I’m glad to have been part of something so meaningful, and I look forward to seeing the good it will bring.”
David Buckley - Composer and former Chorister and Patron
“It is enormously exciting to learn of the success of the Coronation Fund appeal and to know that this will enable future generations of talented musical children to join the Choir on merit alone, irrespective of the financial means of their family. This is a truly inspired initiative, and WCCT and all of its supporters are to be warmly congratulated for the success of the appeal.”
Robert Drewett - High Sheriff of Somerset 2023-24 and Patron
For further details please contact clerk@wcct.co.uk.
Talent crops up everywhere, and the Coronation Fund will allow us to offer this wonderful opportunity to children from all backgrounds.
The Coronation Fund will be restricted for use for funding bursaries to other Choristers whose families are in financial circumstances that make them unable to make any significant contribution to the fees themselves. This is any family that, after external means-testing, is assessed as being able to afford 5% or less of the fees. This will enable the Trust to fund a far higher proportion of a relevant chorister’s fees than it otherwise could.
The appeal target was £500,000 by September 2025. The success of the Coronation Fund has been significantly due to the wonderful support received from many quarters.
The Trustees would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported this appeal.
We will continue to use our other funds to provide as much support as we can towards other Choristers’ fees that are not funded by their families’ contributions and contributions from other sources.
“The Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust has been providing bursaries to the families of Wells Cathedral Choristers for almost 20 years. The Coronation Fund is an inspiring idea to provide life changing opportunities for families who lack the financial means but have talented musical children. It is also a fitting way to mark the recent Coronation. By supporting this very special Appeal you help to ensure ‘that there are no lost voices’ by providing opportunities for these amazing children.”
Please note:
The Coronation Fund will remain open for donations.
All funds will continue to be used to support Choristers needing 95% or more bursaries.
Please make your donation by one of the following methods:
using our online donation page
or via bank transfer to: The Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust, Sort Code: 60 23 06, Account Number: 75010062
by sending a cheque payable to The Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust to WCCT, School Office, 15 The Liberty, Wells BA5 2ST
The Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust. Registered Charity No: 1098277.
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