About the Friends of the Orchestra
Many of the early Cheltenham Sunday Players concerts took place in small churches across the north Cotswolds, such as in Chedworth, Bredon, Toddington, Moreton in Marsh, Amberley and others, where orchestral music had seldom if ever been heard before. Running costs even in those days were quite substantial, so in 1973 one of the Players' early supporters, D Carroll Jones, together with Douglas Smith, the founder of the Sunday Players, formed the "Friends of Cheltenham Sunday Players", made up mainly of people living in those communities who were keen to see the concerts continue. They began to make a significant contribution, and what is more they came to concerts, partly perhaps to see whether their "investment" was being put to a good use! Thirty five years later, some of those original Friends still support the Orchestra!
"The Friends of Cheltenham Sunday Players" subsequently became a registered charity (#268654), changing its name to "The Friends of Cheltenham Symphony Orchestra" when the Players' name was changed in 1990.
The Friends' charitable status has, since the year 2000, allowed taxpayers to Gift Aid their donations, so that the Treasurer is able subsequently to reclaim a significant sum from the Inland Revenue.
The Friends continue to give valuable financial support to the Orchestra, whose running costs today are much higher than they ever were in the past. So the need for Friends is a strong as ever, and their donations help keep orchestral music alive (in fact, in robust health) in this part of the world.
Friends also receive a newsletter in January and September which keeps them in touch with the Orchestra and its activities.
If you are interested in becoming a Friend, please contact the Friends'
Treasurer,
Mrs Shirley Ridout (01242 231765), or one of the following:
Chairman: Andrew Chapman (01684 772272)
Secretary: Ron Nourse (01242 675855)
Member: Hilary Vallance (01242 529428)
The necessary forms will then be sent to you.