Music to Our Ears- Falmer Concert Season Hits Jackpot (From The Argus)

Music to Our Ears- Falmer Concert Season Hits Jackpot

11:45pm Sunday 27th September 2009 in Community By George Walker and Aidan Donovan, community correspondents

Falmer church council has hit the jackpot and that could be music to the ears of local residents.

St Laurence’s Church Council in Falmer has been awarded a lottery-funded grant to promote a new music concert season.

The £6,449 grant was spent on a new Yamaha piano for the use of guest musicians. In the past the concerts have raised money for charities such as Leo’s House Children’s Hospice.

Sue Milehan, the co-ordinator of the events, is now eager to attract larger, more diverse audiences. She said: “We bring high-standard music to that area. I’ve tried to encourage a varied programme.”

The grant comes from the Big Lottery Fund’s new Awards for All programme launched on 1st April 2009. In a press release, Awards for All said: “The project aims to widen their musical repertoire, increase access to facilities and involve more members of the community.”

The scheme has £45 million to distribute. It offers grants between £300 and £10,000 to social and environmental projects that can benefit local communities.

The performers will be tinkling the shiny new ivories at a series of free monthly concerts. The next recital will be on Saturday 17th October at 5.30pm.