ON behalf of the committee of The Yvonne Walkerdine Music Bursary, I would ike to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to all the children, teachers, parents and supporters who took part in a concert during the 2012 Lydney Festival and raised £143 in the retiring collection for our cause. The committee is most grateful to you all.

We would also like to invite any interested parties to our bursary auditions to be held at 7pm at Coleford Baptist Church on Tuesday November 6 2012. There is no entrance charge and all are welcome. This year we have eight applicants who will be providing us with a rich and varied musical evening, ranging from percussion and trombone through to jazz saxophone and rock guitar. Each of the candidates is of secondary school age and one will walk away with the £400 annual bursary to assist them with their musical studies.

The bursary was set up as a tribute to a friend, teacher and musician who died tragically young and is awarded annually to a youngster of secondary school age who lives in the Forest of Dean. The winner of each bursary will display enthusiasm, passion and commitment to their music.

– Fiona Crawley, Crown Lane, Parkend.