The Boston Piano Fund
In early 2020 the acting Director of Music, Tim Brown, realised that to enhance the opportunities for music in the acoustic gem of St Botolph’s it would be important to acquire a piano. This would enable richer liturgical practice in the church, give St Botolph’s the potential to be a hub for recitals and chamber concerts, and to enable the church to produce much-needed revenue from hiring out the space for rehearsals and concerts requiring a piano.
After a search, a fine BOSTON 6’10” grand piano was found that would suit our budget; this was acquired in early 2022, initially on loan, and the inaugural recital was given by the pianist Nathan Williamson to great acclaim in July 2022.
We now have regular concerts featuring both the piano alone, and with voices & instruments - check the
future events page for details of upcoming concerts.
Funding the piano
The Piano has been loaned to St Botolph’s by a private donor, with the intention that the church will raise £22,500 to pay for it by the spring of 2024.
A good start has been made and we are over halfway to our target. But as always, it is the last part of fund-raising that is the hardest, so please consider donating as generously as you can to the fund and enable St Botolph’s to be a music hub in the centre of Cambridge.
The PCC is unable to fund the acquisition from existing funds, which are largely restricted to spending on the fabric of the building and the day-to-day costs of the benefice. Our ambition is to raise sufficient funds through donations from friends to enable the piano to become a vital part of growing the musical activities of the church, including renting out the church for rehearsals and concerts that will bring much-needed revenue to St Botolph’s.
How to give
We welcome gifts of any size, whether one-off or regular giving by standing order. More information is available in a leaflet on the piano fund, which can be found
here. There are three ways to donate:
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By cheque made out to “The PCC of St Botolph’s” and sent to David Eastwood, St Botolph’s PCC, 2 Duxford Road, Cambridge CB22 4ND.
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By direct BACS transfer to St Botolph’s, either as a one-off donation or as a standing order. Account details are: The PCC of St Botolph’s, Sort code: 60-04-23, Account number: 54595533. Please include ‘Piano Fund’ in the reference box.
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Via the 'Supporting St Botolph's' page on the website.
In each case, please email the Treasurer, David Eastwood, at dgreastwood@gmail.com to make him aware that your donation relates to the Boston Piano. If you are a UK taxpayer we are able to claim Gift Aid, which has the effect of increasing the value of your donation to St Botolph’s by 25%. David can supply the appropriate form.