“Fifty-eight gifted young musicians of the Westmorland Youth Orchestra, conducted by their Musical Director, Fredrik Holm, and led by Alistair Burton, came together to present an outstanding repertoire both old and new, in tribute to “One Hundred Years of Film Music”, at St Mary’s Church, Ambleside on Saturday, 9th March, 2019 and hosted by the Rotary Club of Ambleside Kirkstone.
Amongst the many in attendance was the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master William John Bewley of the Province Cumberland & Westmorland Freemasons. He was invited to address the audience and make a presentation to the Orchestra before the concert commenced. He told the audience “The Freemasons of the Province of Cumberland and Westmorland are extremely pleased to continue their support programme for these amazingly talented young musicians of the Westmorland Youth Orchestra. We wish to continue our assistance in realising the fullest potential of such aspiring young musicians, by means of nurturing their development, in the environment of this very special Orchestra”.
The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master then presented the third of five annual grants of £1000 to Oliver Wates, a Trustee and Committee Member of the Westmorland Youth Orchestra, on behalf of the Freemasons of Cumberland & Westmorland. Mr Wates sincerely thanked the Provincial Grand Master and the Freemasons of the Province for their kind and thoughtful generosity, that would benefit its members for years to come. He also stated “The Orchestra is absolutely fizzing under the guidance of Fredrik Holm who is a real find and has injected a huge dose of energy and enterprise into an already thriving orchestra and it makes it all the more rewarding for our sponsors who keep us afloat by their generous donations and support, particularly by the Freemasons and Rotarians”.
The capacity audience were then enthralled as they listened to a selection of wonderfully entertaining music both contemporary and classical, as they were transported through the era of the ‘Big Screen’.
A very proud mother, whose daughter was playing the flute that evening, later said to me “Thank you kindly for the generous donation from your organisation. It’s wonderful that people support these talented children. They put in a great deal of effort, but clearly enjoy it”.”
W/Bro Brian S Ferrington PPrGSwdB, South Westmorland Group Communications Officer
