News
10.01.12 - Members Benevolent Fund Christmas Luncheon
This event was held on Tuesday 21st December 2011 in the Boardroom at Berners Street during which our invited guests from other music and entertainment charities and our supporters were entertained by guest speaker Barry Mason, one of this country's most successful songwriters. Barry was accompanied by Applejack Don Gould on piano.
The recipient of 5 Ivor Novello Awards, 13 ASCAP and BMI awards from the USA Barry's multi-platinum hits have sold over 60 million records worldwide…….…and still counting. His classics include Delilah, The Last Waltz, Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes), There Goes My First Love, Love Is All, Les Bicyclettes de Belsize, I Pretend and the beautiful Irish ballad, 1,2,3 O'Leary.
We were treated to snippets from Barry's one-man show 'Remember Delilah', which has raised millions for charity and graced some of the worlds leading venues.
Pre-lunch music was provided by flautist Jacquelyn Hynes and Irish folk singer and guitarist J Eoin. Trustee Nicky Graham spoke about the Fund's important work during the past 12 months
01.12.11 - Ray Davies receives BACSA Gold Badge for Merit Award
Our heartiest congratulations go to the Fund Chairman, Ray Davies who was presented with the BASCA Gold Badge of Merit Award at a glittering luncheon held at the Savoy Hotel in October.
05.11.11 - Eddie Levy becomes a Trustee of the fund
We'd like to welcome Eddie Levy to the PRS for Music Members Benevolent Fund Committee of Management. Eddie is the owner of Chelsea Music Publishing, a bijoux indie publishing company which has been administering catalogues and songwriter interests since the 1970s. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience of the industry and we look forward to working with him.
04.11.11 - David Bedford 1937-2011
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of our dear friend and composer Trustee to the PRS for Music Members Benevolent Fund, David Bedford. David was not just a colleague but a friend. He was a font of knowledge and a dedicated member of the creative community. His incisiveness will be missed by all of us. Our sincere condolences go out to David's family at this time.
22.09.11 - VOXOP: Singer support group
Voxop is the UK's first singer support group for pre and post op singers, and intended to be a forum to offer practical information and emotional support to professional singers who have vocal difficulties requiring surgical intervention.
Voxop was founded by professional singer Sophie Garner, who has experienced vocal problems herself, Mark Maylan, a singing teacher, and Claire Wells, speech and language therapist.
Meetings are completely free and held in London, and available to singers at any time during their vocal rehabilitation. Voxop adheres to a strict rule of confidentiality.
If you would like to attend a meeting please email voxopinfo@gmail.com
For more information go to www.voxop.co.uk
18.09.11 - Brighton Marathon 2012
Calling all runners! Here's your chance to raise money for a great cause. The PRS for Music Members Benevolent Fund is looking for runners to fill three spots at the 2012 Brighton Marathon on Sunday 15 April.
This year, marathon runners, Mike Hall, Emma Penfold and Mike Woodroffe, raised an impressive £1,650 and the money is still coming in. It's thanks to their great effort and the support of friends, family and colleagues that the Members Benevolent Fund continues to receive valuable funds towards its important work.
If you, or anyone you know, would like to run to support our work at the 2012 Brighton Marathon, please contact fund@prsformusic.com for an application form.
10.04.11 - Rick Wakeman becomes a Patron of the fund
We are delighted to announce that Rick Wakeman has accepted our invitation to be a Patron of the Members Benevolent Fund, joining such musical greats as Sir Peter Maxwell Davies and Sir Tim Rice.
Rick has been a hugely successful performer for over 40 years, both as a solo performer as well as guesting with artists as Alice Cooper, Lou Reed and Elton John. Rick is also the person playing the iconic piano part on the Cat Stevens' hit 'Morning Has Broken'.
Rick says: "Thank you so much for inviting me to become a patron of the Members Benevolent Fund. I would be really honoured to be amongst such exalted company and have nothing but the highest regard for the work that the Members Fund does to help those in need."
We are very grateful to Rick for agreeing to be a part of the Fund and look forward to welcoming him to Committee meetings and events throughout the coming years.
02.03.11 - Advice surgeries
We have now held our first 2 advice surgeries of 2011, in Bristol and Newcastle, and once again were delighted by the number of our members who took the opportunity to come and speak to our welfare visitors in person. We value the chance to meet up with people face to face and having the time to spend with people in a relaxed venue means that we can really work closely together to help those people who are struggling to cope. We plan to hold more surgeries throughout the rest of the year, so watch this space for dates and locations.
05.05.10 - Cyril Wood Court re-opening
After many months of refurbishment work, the sheltered housing scheme in Bere Regis, Dorset was ready to open its doors to existing and new tenants who wish to be part of the exciting creative community. The Fund's 75th Anniversary appeal in 2009 provided some of the funding for the work, and it is with great pleasure that we can announce the completion and re-opening of the project which took place in May 2010. The opening ceremony and cutting of the ribbon was kindly performed by Sir John and Lady Tavener whose appearance as guests of honour was greatly appreciated. PRS members who are living on their own, can join like minded individuals in a happy and relaxed environment where artistic expression is very much encouraged. The Fund has nomination rights on some of the vacant flats, so if you feel this might be the place for you please do not hesitate to contact john.logan@prsformusic.com for more information.