UK Schools & Education Support
Much Marcle Primary School, Ledbury, Herefordshire
We are incredibly grateful to the Clive Richards Foundation for their generous grant of £6000, which has allowed us to enhance our education resources for IT significantly.
Thanks to this funding we were able to purchase 20 new iPads and 3 lockable storage units. This investment has had a profound impact on the children at our school, providing them access to cutting–edge technology and promoting the development of their IT skills. The new purchases mean that during each computing lesson every child has access to their own iPad, instead of being limited to one between two.
The devices are used across the school to access online Maths resources, carry out research in History and Geography lessons and deliver online pupil questionnaires, lead by our School Parliament. These are just a few of the daily activities that are made possible by the new purchases.
The iPads also enhance the provision for our children with Special Education Needs. Children are able to access reading and recording apps which promote independence and ensure inclusion. With reliable technology staff are able to enhance and support our school curriculum. We see the power that technology has on the future of education and will ensure that it continues to be a priority when future proofing our school and its resources.
Misty Hughes-Gardiner
I'm truly honoured to receive the Clive Richards Bursary for my law studies at Exeter. This generous support is a tremendous blessing, and I am deeply grateful to the foundation for their belief in my potential.
This opportunity means the world to me, and I'm eager to make the most of it.
The foundation has offered me incredible support over my first year at Exeter, their financial support has allowed me to focus on my studies with the best materials possible.
Their support has given me the confidence to chase my dream of becoming a solicitor at a magic circle firm in the future.
I am extremely grateful for the aid and advice they have provided me and I shall continue to try my best in making the most of the bursary throughout my time studying at Exeter.
Madley Environmental Study Centre (MESC)
Madley Environmental Study Centre provide activities that connect people of all ages and abilities to Nature, so we were thrilled when the Clive Richards Foundation agreed to support multiple visits to the Centre for children with learning disabilities.
The children not only took part in lovely sensory activities such as modelling with mud and grinding leaves and petals to make paints, but also enjoyed our special Christmas sessions, where the woods were completely transformed into a winter wonderland, with Christmas characters, stories and games.
Pentabus
Four years of Pentabus’ Clive Richards Foundation Writer In Residence
A huge thank you from Pentabus to the Clive Richards Foundation for supporting the beating heart of Pentabus for four years. It is a vital part of the company, and we will forever be grateful for the bursaries for these four incredible writers.
Our first Clive Richards Foundation Writer in Residence, Sophie Ellerby, embedded herself in all aspects of our work as well as within the local community. Her debut play LIT which she applied for the position of Writer In Residence, was produced by HighTide and the Nottingham Playhouse in September 2019. The show received rave reviews including four stars from The Guardian, which described it as ‘a blistering debut’. Sophie has since been under commission to the National Youth Theatre and Fifth Word Theatre and continues to work with young people.
The Clive Richards Foundation has ‘enabled me to have such an inspirational and hugely transformative year. The support you give has a huge impact on people’s lives. I’m incredibly grateful to be one of those people.’ Sophie Ellerby, the First Clive Richards Writer In Residence.
Our second Clive Richards Foundation Writer in Residence, Tom Powell, has an audio piece which is now live on BBC iPlayer called Love Beyond the Zoo which was written whilst he was at Pentabus. He won the 2021 Papatango Prize for his play The Silence and The Noise, also written whilst a resident at Pentabus, which we then produced with Herefordshire-based Rural Media to make a film/theatre hybrid adaptation. This production went on to win Best Film and Best Actor at Broadstairs International Film Fest and an Off West End Award for Digital Production in 2024. It was also featured in The Guardian: Best Theatre to Stream. Tom said ‘I have an audience on Radio 4E, BBC One, and a digital production. I’ve won a major prize, I’ve learnt a huge amount – about my own resourcefulness, about tough decisions in times of crisis, about celebrating art and how best to support young people – and I know the progress I’ve made wouldn’t have been possible without the bursary. Thanks to Clive and to Sylvia, I am and will remain incredibly grateful for this transformative opportunity.’
Our third Clive Richards Foundation Writer in Residence, Florence Espeut-Nickless, said ‘I couldn’t have dreamt of the opportunities that have come my way this year, which are in large part due to the time, support and belief Pentabus and yourselves have given me. I’m sad I never got to meet Clive but have heard so many brilliant things about him. I will be forever grateful for the significant impact he has had on my career and inspired by how his generosity and legacy continues to positively change the lives of so many.’ The residency and Flo’s tenacity led her to participate in the National Theatre’s project THE ODYSSEY: National Theatre Public Acts 2023, to be commissioned by Bristol Old Vic with her play Blinded by Your Grace, written during her tenure at Pentabus. She was selected from 2000 writers by Blacklight TV and Channel 4 to work on their 4 Stories initiative, as well as being accepted onto the BBC Voices 2023 development programme. We were also delighted to produce her play DESTINY with Rural Media as a digital piece of theatre, along with Tom Powell’s piece The Silence and The Noise – it was nominated for an Off West End Award for Best Digital Production and selected for two British Independent Film Awards, and also featured in The Guardians: Best Theatre to Stream. She is the first Patron of the newly opened Trowbridge Youth Theatre.
Our Fourth and final Clive Richards Foundation Writer In Residence was Laura Waldren who was with us until the end of 2023, won the Papatango Prize for playwriting for Some Demon, and will have her play produced in a full London run next year. She said ‘Now that I have come to the end of my time with Pentabus, I can honestly say this year has been one of the most creatively rewarding of my career, and the first time I’ve felt able to legitimately describe myself as a professional writer. The combination of working on the residency and winning the Papatango Prize has given me a huge confidence boost and provided my first real experience of life as a working playwright. The residency has allowed me to devote time to writing without constantly worrying about money, or having to work many hours inside jobs in order to make ends meet. Without it, there’s no way I’d be in the place I am now in my career. I can’t thank Pentabus and the Clive Richards Foundation enough for this opportunity — it really has been a game-changer for me and I’m ending the residency so much more confident and inspired than I was before I got it. So, thank you!!’
Kimbolton St James’ Primary School Herefordshire
The money we were generously granted by the Clive Richards Foundation has gone towards the redevelopment of our Early Years Foundation outside area.
This is a much loved and much used space which is an extension to our indoor classroom. The learning that takes place outside is of equal importance to our inside learning but sadly, with the ever increasing cuts to school budgets, the area has not had the upkeep needed to maintain its full potential.
With the money we were granted, we were able to buy a bespoke mud kitchen, table, bench and stage, along with the materials to revamp and secure our sand shed.
We are truly grateful for your donation which will have such a positive impact on our current, and future pupils.
Laura Waldren - Pentabus
Writer in Residence
I can’t thank Pentabus and the Clive Richards Foundation enough for this opportunity.
It really has been a game-changer for me and I’m ending the residency so much more confident and inspired than I was before I got it.
So thank you!!
Encore Enterprises CIC Hereford
Hereford Performing Arts Festival takes place at a range of venues across Hereford City, with a final public gala performance for category winners on the main stage at The Courtyard Centre for the Arts.
This year’s Festival took place over the week of Monday 13th - Sat 18th March 2023. Encore has run the Festival since 2019, and we are pleased to report this year’s Festival was a big success.
This year’s funding from the Clive Richards Foundation has helped support our aim to sustainably develop HPA Fest for the future.
'...I would like to say how brilliant we think it is that we have HPA Fest in our county and are delighted that our children have had a chance to participate..' (parent)
Circus Starr
We are indebted and very grateful to The Clive Richards Foundation for their continued support and belief in Circus Starr and what we are aiming to achieve.
Your generous donation has made it possible for us to rebrand and update our Sensory Story boxes so that children with profound and multiple disabilities or those who are nervous about a visiting our relaxed and inclusive circus can prepare and know what to expect at our shows.
We are committed to bringing a celebration of circus to those who struggle socially and give them the opportunity to overcome fears, to explore live performance and try new adventures.
“I loved the sensory story! It allowed us to help Jessica anticipate what would be happening and prepare. It is a lovely story with some good little props to help reinforce the words.
Jessica was so excited by the story and then by the circus itself, it was a joy to see.” Mum, Kerry.
Ex Cathedra
Ex Cathedra is a leading UK choir; we are passionate about the power and importance of choral singing, of inspiring, enabling singing, and nurturing young talent in our home of Birmingham and the West Midlands particularly. Our award-winning Education team have worked across the UK and abroad, benefitting thousands of schools, teachers and pupils.
Ex Cathedra’s ChoirMaker (so kindly supported by The Clive Richards Foundation) supports secondary school music teachers who want to build a culture of singing together in their schools but are unsure how to go about it.
Designed for their Year 7 cohorts this project provides resources and support so teachers can keep pupils singing as they arrive from primary schools, growing the number of children – from a wide range of backgrounds – who pursue music throughout and beyond their school life.
These young people represent the musicians and audiences of the future, the classical and choral sector will only remain relevant if we nurture their musical interests, engage, and inspire them during these formative years.
We know that singing together can positively impact the entire ethos of a school – it turns individuals into a team, engages the whole brain, combats stress, and releases feel-good hormones. In pure musical terms, it is a fantastic foundation from which musicianship can develop.
Alongside teacher CPD sessions and workshops for pupils, ChoirMaker is available online through a login on our www.singingschools.co.uk website. This contains session plans and repertoire that sounds modern and relevant to the pupils, to get them singing together with warm-ups, skills development activities, audio demo and instrumental backing tracks, and visually-engaging, music video-style clips, so that at the click of the button teachers will have the Ex Cathedra team in the room supporting them by leading an activity.
Our innovative project to support secondary school music teachers (already feeling isolated as a result of challenges that were there even before Covid) builds on the foundation of choral singing in each school. It puts singing back in the heart of the Year 7 experience in schools. It will increase the number of children pursuing choral singing – essential for the long-term health of the choral sector - this teacher resource and project work has never been so needed.
Black Country Living Museum Learning Centre
Black Country Living Museum near Dudley is one of the UK’s leading open-air museums which tells the story of one of the first industrialised landscapes in Britain.
Following the opening of a new Visitor Centre in 2022, the former admissions buildings has been repurposed as the Museum Conference & Learning Centre.
Thanks to support from the Clive Richards Foundation (of £150,000), alongside other funders, we now have an inspiring, fit-for-purpose Learning Centre including two new classrooms, a lunch space and gift shop, as well as a dedicated entrance and exit point for the 55,000+ school and college visitors we welcome each year.
Outside of school workshops and lessons, the Centre will also be used for school holiday clubs and activities and lifelong learning opportunities such as our IgnitED heritage skills programme.
Matthew Bawden
During my master’s degree I was able to pay the tuition fees with the help of postgraduate loans and a significant loan from my parents, however both of these funding sources were unavailable to me this year due to my parents’ upcoming retirement and government funding not being available for what is technically a second master’s degree.
Coupled with the current cost-of-living crisis, without this support it would not have been financially viable to take up my place in the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama’s David Seligman Opera School this year.
I am eternally grateful to the Clive Richards Foundation, as it is their support, alongside others, that has allowed me to take this significant step forward in my operatic training, which I hope will allow me to experience a long and fulfilling career.
Chloe Hare-Jones
I feel so incredibly lucky to have been awarded the Clive Richards Scholarship. This support has allowed me to accept my unconditional offer to study at the David Seligman Opera School in the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
Receiving this scholarship means I am able to completely focus on my studies at the opera school, without the financial burden of the fees and cost of living.
I am also able to continue to fulfil my ambition to one day becoming a professional opera singer.
I feel honoured to be supported by the charity and I look forward to continuing my relationship with them in the future.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Piotr Bednarski
I am very grateful for the bursary granted to me by the Clive Richards Foundation.
In 2022, I have started an Undergraduate Psychology course at the University of the West of England, Bristol, and due to the support, and financial security it has given me, I may focus entirely on my studies.
The bursary has given me the opportunity to begin working in my dream career, and the possibility of further Postgraduate studies.
I will always be thankful for the generosity expressed to me. Thank you!
George Glover
Liverpool University
"I am extremely grateful to the Clive Richards Foundation, whose support has allowed me to accept an exciting opportunity to study International Relations at the University of Liverpool.
Receiving this grant means that I can fully focus on my studies despite the current cost-of-living crisis.
I feel very lucky to be given this support and will always be grateful to the Clive Richards Foundation for alleviating additional pressures and allowing me to reach my full potential."
Dalia Aliwi
I was first put in contact with the Clive Richards foundation through my sixth form, Bishop Vesey’s grammar school, who put me forward for an educational grant.
When I found out that they had chosen to support me for the next 5 years studying medicine at the University of Birmingham, I felt honoured and more excited than ever before to study my dream degree, knowing that I wouldn't have to face any financial burden.
So far in my first semester, the grant has enabled me to access the necessary resources I need to study medicine and most importantly it put me in a position where I no longer need additional income from a part time job. This allows me to dedicate my time to my degree and I feel like my passion for medicine is stronger than ever, having been able to enjoy every aspect of university so far instead of constantly struggling to make ends meet.
I am so incredibly grateful for the generosity of the Clive Richards Foundation and I'm looking forward to the next 5 years of my degree with their continued support.
Thank you!
Alice Watts
Worcester University
I would like to thank everyone at the Clive Richards Foundations for their generosity, which has been helping me achieve my dream of becoming a primary school teacher.
The bursary they’ve granted me has been very helpful towards my studies, going towards books for my course and other much needed necessities.
I will be forever grateful for the help they’ve given me and so many others.
Quench Arts CIC
Quench Arts CIC is so grateful for the support that the Clive Richards Foundation has given towards our youth music and wellbeing programme.
Funding will enable us to engage creatively with young people struggling with their mental health in both community and hospital settings through our Wavelength and Plugin projects in Birmingham, Solihull and Coventry. We believe that music can make a huge difference: it can encourage young people to better express their feelings and emotions through their lyrics and compositions; it can build self-esteem and also connect young people with peers with similar interests and experiences.
Support from the Clive Richards Foundation will enable us to take more young people onto our programmes to benefit across 2022-23 and we are hugely appreciative for the Trustees' ongoing support.
St Joseph's RC Primary School, Ross on Wye
Bricks, blocks and mortar are among things that create a school facility – however, care, concern and belief are some of what nourish the individuals within that facility and help them grow. Sometimes, belief in something from outside the organisation is exactly what is needed to inspire movement. St Joseph’s RC Primary School in Ross on Wye reached out to Clive Richards with a dream to create a new purpose-built nursery where the school could nurture children ages 2-4 in an engaging, safe and appropriate space.
Mr Richards was instrumental from the origins of the project starting with his honest advice and input during the planning application phase and continuing throughout the funding and physical build of the nursery.
With a generous £40,000 grant from the Clive Richards Foundation, the build began October 2020 half term and completed in April 2020 to welcome students after the Easter holidays. The St Joseph’s family will always recognise Clive Richards’ belief in St Joseph’s and the school's provision of high-quality early years and primary education and will be grateful to the Clive Richards Foundation.
As a result of this funding, the nursery now has 45 children ages 2-4 filling the space with laughter and joy and the larger school and community have use of the sports hall.
Young Gloucestershire
Young Gloucestershire’s drop-in service, shut during lockdown, is due to reopen shortly with some significant adaptions and is to become purely a NEET service as a result of the hugely negative impact CV19 has had on youth unemployment in Gloucestershire. Qualifications are key as many of those who approach YG are academic underachievers and will have gone through state education and left with few/no qualifications. Unemployment and the financial stresses it brings is a key driver of poor mental-health in young people so YG’s new Hub service aims to provide a package of work-relevant qualifications to NEET young people. YG’s youth workers will provide 1:1 support (face-to-face and virtually), something that is not always possible in schools, especially to those most in need.
Charlotte Merryfield, Operations Lead for the YG Hub, said: “This new service was designed with one purpose; to support young people in reaching their full potential. It is thanks to generous donations like the one from the Clive Richards Foundation, that allows us to not only carry out this service, but also provide qualifications that will help young people to expand their skill set and knowledge.” March 2022
Florence Espeutt-Nickless - Pentabus
I’m beyond grateful to Clive and Sylvia. It’s hard to sum up in words really how this opportunity changed me, my career and my life.
I think for me most importantly, it made me feel like a professional writer for the first time and helped me dream, think, reflect, focus and reach for my goals, in a way I’d never been given the time or opportunity to do so previously.
I will miss Pentabus but I know I’m a part of that family now, which will continue way beyond my time as CRF Writer In Residence.
Hereford & Worcester Army Cadet Trust
A training weekend at the Cadet Training Centre at Tiddesley Wood. The cadets gave a demonstration of the use of the NEW climbing wall.
The generous donation given to the trust by the Clive Richards Foundation enabled us to build the wall will and has been beneficial to the cadets to extend their Adventure training capabilities.
Tom Roberts Adventure Centre, Newent, Gloucestershire
The trustees of the Tom Roberts Adventure Centre are very grateful for the £30,000 grant from CSRC that paid for all the materials used in the construction of our Toilet and Shower Block, officially opened by Peter Henry.
We were saddened that Mr Richards was unable to fulfill the role as his sudden passing intervened.
He and Mrs Richards saw the land even before the turf was removed and showed a keen interest from then on.
Our old decrepit, secondhand toilet blocks with all their problems are now a thing of the past as campers use the new facility.
One of the children on a schools visit was heard to say, “These are the best toilets I have ever seen!”
The grant and the many hours of unpaid work by our small team of volunteers have given the Centre a facility of which to be proud. Someone commented after the opening that they hoped Mr Richards is looking down with pleasure and satisfaction.
Lluis Calvet I Pay
I was overjoyed to have been awarded The Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity.
This support has allowed me to study at The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama at the David Seligman Opera School.
Without this support I would not be able to undertake my studies in such a fabulous institution.
Studying at RWCMD is such a privilege, and has given me many opportunities in the last year.
I feel so incredibly lucky that I get to be immersed within an environment full of first class tutors, exciting projects whilst being surrounded by incredible colleagues. 2021
Sam Longbottom
I was enormously pleased to have been awarded an educational grant from the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity. Thanks to their generosity, I have been able to undertake an MMus in composition at the Royal Northern College of Music.
The grant has been used to help fund my tuition fees and living costs.
Without this support, I would not have been able to undertake postgraduate studies and so I am extremely grateful to the charity.
With the help I have received I am able to completely focus on my education and take advantage of every opportunity available to me while at the RNCM.
I will be forever grateful for the kindness the charity has shown me.
Anas Fasih
The Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity has been extremely kind and provided me with the funds to be able to study Medicine at the University of Birmingham.
Although I have lived in the UK for most of my life, I was not eligible for tuition fee support from Student Finance England. Having secured my place on the course on results day, I was faced with the prospect of relying on high interest loans and working full time to be able to pay my fees.
My old school (Bishop Veseys’ Grammar School) connected me with the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity.
After a meeting, they generously offered to support me.
I cannot fully express my gratitude to how much this meant to me. I am able to pursue my dream career in medicine.
During the tough Covid-19 times where people are struggling to make ends meet, the support means all the more.
It has motivated me to study even harder and I am very excited to continue my learning and become a doctor.
James McBeth
“Since Receiving The Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity It has meant that I have been able to undertake a Masters at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama which began in September 2020.
It has allowed me to solely focus on my studies without the financial burden along with London prices during my studies.
Guildhall is a fantastic institution which provides first class teaching and exciting projects, I am eternally grateful for the support they have provided for myself in having this wonderful opportunity.
Thank you for this!”
Emma
I am thankful for receiving the educational grant from The Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity which has gone towards my studies at Gloucester University.
So far, I have been studying nursing for 1 semester, and it has been an eye-opening experience in which I would not have been able to experience if it were not for the charity.
I have been on placement up until now and have seen how covid-19 has been affecting both patients and the health care professionals who are treating them. I have met a wide variety of patients from all different walks of life, who have been very grateful with my support.
Due to not being able to have visitors because of the restrictions. These experiences have shown me that I have chosen the correct career path to go down. I am excited about the future, I can’t wait to see what it holds.
December 2020
Emily
“Upon receiving the news that I would be awarded the Clive and Sylvia Educational grant, I was instantly overjoyed and knew that this could have an enormous impact on my ability to kickstart my journey to becoming a dentist.
Receiving an offer to study Dental Surgery at the University of Sheffield was an extremely proud moment of mine, a goal I had been working towards for what felt like most of my life. But having already gained a degree in Human Biology meant that I was not eligible for financial support. I was then faced with the harsh reality of this not being financially feasible.
Receiving this grant has made it possible to fund my degree, allowing me to invest in my education and create a strong foundation to be a successful student. I feel honoured to be supported by the charity and feel privileged for the potential that the trustees see in me. I am eternally grateful for the support that Clive and Sylvia have shown, and I look forward to continuing my relationship with the charity in the near future.”
Bernadette Johns
I am delighted to have been awarded a grant towards my studies at the Royal Academy of Music.
I am studying for the Advanced Diploma in Opera, which will help me in fulfilling my long-standing ambition of being a professional opera singer.
This funding will provide significant support with my living costs, so that I can truly focus on my studies, particularly at such a precarious time for the music industry.
I am very grateful to the Charity for their generosity and support of the arts.
Aaron Townsend
The enormous generosity of The Clive and Silvia Richards Charity will have a huge impact on my ability to study for my Masters Degree.
In September 2020, I will begin my Mperf studies at The Royal College of Music. The financial award I've received will help towards my fees and will give me the security to focus completely on my studies.
Their support will give me the chance to take on every opportunity to further my career.
I am extremely grateful for the charity and for their generosity. I will be forever thankful for this financial award.
Thank you!
Lauren Adams
Receiving the educational grant from The Clive Richards Foundation / Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity has made an enormous impact on my ability to study.
In October 2020 I will be starting a Master's degree in Public Health at Warwick University. The educational grant will help fund books and travel costs throughout my year of study.
Without this grant I would be in great debt after graduating and would have to work hard to pay that off before moving onto my ambition to study for a PhD.
I will be forever grateful to the charity for their generosity and their belief in me.
River Edis-Smith
I am extremely grateful for the support that the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity have provided, especially in these challenging times for musicians and teachers.
I have recently graduated with a BSc in Mathematics with Music at the University of Surrey. Throughout the course, I have had opportunities to research and compose music based upon mathematical structures. In addition, I have also had the chance to be introduced to the wonderful world of conducting. As a result, I have taken a range of short courses in conducting across the UK to supplement my training throughout my degree.
The experiences I have had in my degree as a musician have inspired me to study Music at Masters level. Staying on at the University of Surrey means that I can continue to focus on and get support in my specialised area of composition. In addition, with access to the recording studios at the university, I can work towards my first album of modern classical music.
The financial support from the charity will enable me to purchase equipment necessary for composing, obtain scores for conducting and provide me with a range of teaching resources for the next generation of musicians. Thanks to the trust, I will be able to continue to teach violin in Surrey and coupled with the postgraduate qualification, I can work towards becoming a leading educator in music. This would have not been possible if it wasn’t for the kind support from the charity.
John Kyrle School - Ross on Wye - Cricket nets
Replacing outdated sports equipment by providing John Kyrle School with Cricket nets so they now even meet ICB standards.
The school said:-
The cricket facilities at JKHS are now state-of-the-art thanks to the generosity of the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity. Our new cricket nets allow boys and girls to hone their batting and bowling skills in a way that simply wasn’t possible previously. Students aged 11 to 18 have made full use of the nets. The charity’s investment has renewed interest in the sport. As covid hopefully recedes and inter-school matches restart, we expect visiting teams to glance at the new nets and know they are facing JKHS teams who now have facilities to match the best that private schools can offer. Nigel Griffiths, headteacher, the JKHS PE department and the students are very grateful to the Clive and Sylvia Richards charity for supporting cricket at JKHS.
Charlotte Lindley
After completing my undergraduate degree in Geography, I decided that I wanted to pursue a career in the arts; using music and theatre which I enjoyed as a hobby to take up a place on the MA Arts Management course at the Royal Welsh College of Music Drama.
The funds I have received from the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity will go towards to cost of funding my masters degree where I will gain the professional training and experience to begin my career in the arts sector.
As I prepare to begin my studies at the RWCMD I am immensely grateful to Clive and Sylvia for their financial support which will help me to make the most out of the opportunities this course presents me, without having to worry about the financial implications of postgraduate study.
I am privileged they have chosen to support me in the early stages of my career and look forward to where my journey will take me next.
Charles Brookes
"I am hugely grateful to the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity for their generous support towards my Postgraduate studies at London's Royal Academy of Music.
For so many young people, the cost of tuition fees and living in London is massively prohibitive and I can say with real certainty that without the support of the CSRC, my studies there would not have been possible.
The Academy is a fantastic institution, equipped with all the resources needed to give me the best possible chance at a performing career and I have gained a real determination to make this happen. I am particularly interested in orchestral playing and chamber music and both of these areas are well catered for for by the MA course.
Since joining the Academy, I have performed with the college's Symphony Orchestra under legendary conductors including Semyon Bychkov, Ed Gardner, John Wilson and Sir Mark Elder and in 2018 I played Haydn's Piano Trio Hob. XV:28 with Adrien Brendel as part of the Academy's Haydn Piano Series. I have also performed extensively with the virtuoso Badoneon player, Mario Pietrodarchi, and the Regents Ensemble in festivals in Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, Lebanon and Georgia.
These experiences have been totally invaluable and I cannot express my gratitude to Clive and Sylvia for helping to make them possible."
Hanley Castle High School and Sixth Form Centre, Hanley Castle, Worcestershire
Donated £75,000 to assist with the sports hall extension including a new PE classroom and extended changing rooms
Pete Greenwood
As a result of the enormously generous financial assistance provided to me by the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity, I have been able to continue, and hopefully complete my Master of Arts course at the Royal Academy of Music.
Being a successful tuba player in the UK is a notoriously difficult task, although the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity have made me feel hugely valued, to which I am very grateful.
Without their support, I would certainly not have been able to afford my tuition fees at the Royal Academy of Music, which would have led me to miss out on so many vital and incredible opportunities that have fortunately come my way in London.
Thank you!
Jessica Smith
In December 2018, I was absolutely delighted to receive the news that I had been awarded a place on the Artist Masters course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Prior to this I had been working as a singing teacher in Northamptonshire and also in the community directing seven youth and adult choirs. Whilst I really enjoyed teaching, I had always known that I wanted to complete further musical training and I was really excited to take this next step in my vocal development. However, the tuition fees for the course alone were extremely daunting, particularly when coupled with the costs of living in London. Whilst I had some personal savings to fund my studies, I knew that I would need to seek private funding support in order to afford to study at The Guildhall.
As an older student, I found that most charities and trusts were simply unable to offer me any support and after over fifty rejected funding applications I was beginning to lose all hope that I would ever be able to study at my dream institution this year. However, over the summer of 2019 I was completely over the moon to learn that I had been awarded a generous bursary from Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity. Without their support, I simply wouldn’t be able to afford to study at The Guildhall this year.
The Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity has really helped me to thrive as a musician. Not only has their financial support enabled me to fully throw myself into my studies, but it has also given me the confidence to believe that that my musical career is worth investing in.
After just a term at The Guildhall I am delighted to have sung leading roles in the departmental opera scenes, in masterclasses with artists such as Dame Emma Kirkby, and with The English Concert and Alison Balsom at the Saffron Hall. I am much looking forward to my continued development at The Guildhall and am extremely grateful for the support from The Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity who have helped to make my dream of studying at The Guildhall a reality.
Hartpury receives £150k donation
Hartpury is delighted to have received a generous donation of £150,000 from the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity towards funding for its £2 million Agri-Tech Education Centre.
Hartpury is establishing an Agri-Tech Centre on its 360-hectare campus to utilise and demonstrate the latest smart farming techniques and illustrate the importance and impact of science and technology in agriculture.
The centre will be an education, training and research hub for Hartpury University and Hartpury College students, the wider education sector, regional producers and processors.
Picture: left to right
Russell Marchant, Vice-Chancellor of Hartpury University and Principal of Hartpury College, with Sylvia and Clive Richards.
Clive and Sylvia Richards said: “We and the other trustees of the charity are pleased to support the Agri-Tech Centre at Hartpury, specifically the Diagnostic Suite for data gathering, diagnostics, analysis, knowledge exchange and research.
“We’re looking forward to developing a successful long-term partnership with Hartpury, which will include welcoming agriculture students to our fruit farm and our senior staff discussing aspects of course content they can support.”
Russell Marchant, Vice-Chancellor of Hartpury University and Principal of Hartpury College, added: “We’re delighted to receive this incredibly generous contribution from the Clive and Sylvia Richards Trust.
“We’re determined to make the most of their outstanding support and create a world-leading facility of which our agricultural industry can be proud.
“The Agri-Tech Centre will increase knowledge of applied science and technology for our agricultural diploma and degree students and provide an opportunity for the practical application of science for A-level students.
“It will illustrate the role of science and technology in farming for visiting local school children, helping them understand how this links to productivity, improved welfare and higher quality food.
“The centre will also enhance the status of livestock agriculture and boost the regional rural economy. We anticipate welcoming our first students in September 2019 and officially opening the centre in October 2019.”
Elena Zamudia
I have had the pleasure of starting this experience in Cardiff, the city that has welcomed me from the very beginning, having the opportunity to join the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama with such a great teachers, professionals and colleagues from whom to learn.
That is why I would like to thank, again and again, the tremendous generosity of Mr & Mrs Richards who with their scholarship are making it all possible, always remembering is because of they that I can relish this wonderful opportunity.
Matthew Read
Without the generous financial assistance of The Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity I would have been unable to attend the Royal Academy of Music. The difference that the Masters has made in my professional life even after just twelve weeks is immeasurable and I know that it will propel me onwards for the remainder of the two-year course, let alone the rest of my career. I can’t wait to see where it will take me!
Natalie Sims
The generosity given by the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity has provided me with the funds to continue my studies and develop the skills I have learnt over the past four years at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
It was a fantastic sense of relief when Clive and Sylvia granted my bursary, as I have found it exceptionally difficult to find any monetary assistance due to funding in the arts being cut and the uncertain economic climate. The funds kindly given to me from The Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity will go towards my Postgraduate degree in Orchestral Performance at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
Had it not been for the generous grant from the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity, I would have not been able to pursue a postgraduate degree. The Postgraduate degree will enable me receive the vital teaching and guidance in how to achieve an orchestral career. I will also now be able to gain experience from the orchestral placements with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and The Welsh National Opera Orchestra.
My gratitude to Clive and Sylvia Richards Is unsurpassed and I look forward to continuing my relationship with this fantastic charity.
Benjamin Ball
The Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity has been kind enough to support me with an educational bursary during my time so far studying Medicine at the University of Exeter. In 2016 I was offered a position to study Medicine as a graduate, having already obtained a BSc Forensic Science and an MSc Biomedical Science (Haematology). As there is no tuition fee support to individuals in my position who have already completed a bachelor’s degree, I found myself in the unenviable position of being offered a chance to achieve my goal of becoming a Doctor but facing a harsh reality of needing to work 25+ hours a week outside of my university studies in order to self-fund my tuition fees.
Having heard about the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity through a friend at work I sent them a letter detailing my circumstances and then after subsequently meeting with Clive they most generously offered to support me with an educational grant. It is difficult to express the huge difference to my life this grant has made, but their support has helped ensure I pass my first three years of medical school and I am looking forward to the challenges that my fourth year shall bring. Outside of educational grants the charity work that Clive and Sylvia have undertaken is amazing, but their personal approach with educational grants makes such a massive difference to individual lives that it should be praised as much as the other charitable work they’ve done. (2019)
Stephanie Waldron
Support from the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity has allowed me to continue to study and specialise my singing as part of the David Seligman Opera School at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. With their assistance I have been able to immerse myself fully into my education and the opportunities available to students without the worry of financial constraints.
Studying for my MA in Advanced Opera, aside from being incredibly enjoyable and engaging, has helped me stretch and further my skills as a performer. During my first term, I received coaching from renowned conductors, musical directors and singers such as Carlo Rizzi, John Fisher and Wyn Davies - which were exceptionally informative and inspiring. My colleagues and I also had the opportunity to perform in a variety of different concerts. Most notably, I performed in the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama’s annual opera gala concert under the baton of Carlo Rizzi with the Welsh National Opera Orchestra. Next term, I am very excited to be learning and touring a selection of opera scenes with my colleagues.
After such an educational and motivational term I am eager to see what the next year and a half left of my course hold and am extremely grateful to the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity for supporting my education and allowing me to continue to nurture and expand my passions for music, opera and singing.
Stephanie was supported for a further year in 2020
With the generous financial support of the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity, I have been able to continue my studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama as part of the David Seligman Opera School. The pandemic has meant that it has been particularly hard to source funding and work as a professional musician and I am very grateful to the charity for their continued generosity at this time.
Music and singing have been lifelong passions of mine and with the support of the charity, I have been able to pursue these further. RWCMD provides incredible opportunities to work with world-class musicians and teachers and through these sessions, I believe I have been able to improve and hone my skills as a singer. Albeit challenging, this year has been extremely educational and inspiring, and I feel that I will embark on the professional world more confidently.
I look forward to what next year’s studies will bring and am extremely thankful to the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity for the opportunity to continue to nurture my passions and expand my education.
Emily Ashby
I am very grateful for the generous support from the Clive & Sylvia Richards Charity, whose bursary has helped towards tuition fees for my Masters degree at the Royal Academy of Music.
I am extremely excited to reap the benefits of studying at a world class institution and learn from leading professors. Without this award, I would not have access to these opportunities and wouldn’t have been able to secure the funds to continue my studies or achieve my goal of becoming a professional musician.
My sincere thanks go to the Clive & Sylvia Richards Charity. (2019)
Emily was supported for a further year in 2020
I am delighted to share that thus far, my time at the Royal Academy of Music has offered countless fulfilling and rewarding experiences that have not only contributed to my overall development, but also brought absolute joy.
I was thrilled to find out from the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity that I had been awarded further funding towards my tuition fees to complete my final year of study and take the necessary steps to secure my dream career.
I am extremely grateful for their continuing support, thank you!
Angelika Stangl
I was so thrilled to receive the email from the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity explaining that they would be able to support with the tuition cost of my masters. I am very excited to be taking up a place at the Royal Academy of Music to study Historical Performance.
I look forward to the classes and my lessons all with which I would not be able to attend without the generous support from this trust. It is a privilege to gain a place to study at RAM but an even greater privilege to be financially supported and I am truly grateful for the opportunity that you have now provided me. (2019)
Angelika was supported for a further year in 2020
I am so grateful for the support I have received from the Clive and Sylvia Richards Trust to help with funding my MA at the Royal Academy of Music. In September, I will be entering my second year in the Historical Performance department studying the Baroque oboe.
My first year was filled with brilliant opportunities for me to perform and I particularly have enjoyed performing in the Bach concert series. My oboe teacher has been fantastic, and I have already learnt so much from her. I look forward to learning the classical oboe next year and taking part in as many concerts as I can. It goes without saying that without the support of this wonderful trust I would not be able to continue on to my second year, so I am very thankful!
Queen Elizabeth School, Bromyard
Couple give school £150,000 to open new vocational centre
PRESS RELEASE By Ian Morris Assistant Editor Hereford Times
Clive and Sylvia Richards have given £150,000 to the new venture.
A SCHOOL will offer students the chance to learn a traditional trade after receiving £150,000 from a county couple.
The new Vocational Studies Centre at Bromyard's Queen Elizabeth High School will allow students to work towards a career within tiling, plastering, bricklaying, animal care and the motor industry.
It has been funded by philanthropists Clive and Sylvia Richards through the Herefordshire couple's charity.
Martin Farmer, the school's headteacher, says Queen Elizabeth sees a "greater than national and indeed local number of students" progressing to both vocational college courses and apprenticeships.
"As a county, Herefordshire has long been a place where practical skills are valued highly in the range of professions young people progress on to," he added.
"This provision will help Queen Elizabeth to play their part in ensuring that for years to come those skills will be protected and developed."
The centre will consist of three buildings, a double garage and vehicular maintenance area to enable students to work towards a career within the motor industry.
There will also be a refurbished construction room where students can develop skills, in tiling, plastering and bricklaying and an animal care room for pupils.
Work will begin on the buildings imminently and will be concluded in time for the return of students in September.
Mr and Mrs Richards have been supporters of education within Herefordshire for many years – and their cash investment in Bromyard will fully fund the project.
Mr Richards said: “There are several different pathways which students can take for long term success.
"Not everyone, including myself, is suitable for university.
"I am delighted to be part of this vocational initiative."
An official Opening Ceremony will be scheduled for late September when the centre will be formally named and dedicated.
Visitors will be able to see the centre during an open evening on Tuesday, September 24, between 6pm and 9pm, and the following two days which will be open to the public.
Mr Farmer said "governors, staff and students" would like to publicly thank both Clive and Sylvia Richards and the trustees for "enabling this very important initiative for the students of Bromyard and the surrounding areas to become a reality".
Jessica Edom
My name is Jessica and my ambition, whilst in the sixth form at school, was to become a classical singer. I applied to the Royal College of Music and was lucky enough to be offered a place on their undergraduate course. The next problem was funding.
I applied to the Clive and Sylvia Richards charitable trust and was excited to be invited to an interview with Mr. and Mrs. Richards. Following the interview I was really grateful to receive a letter offering me financial support for the duration of my course.
This generous support from Clive and Sylvia has enabled me to begin to pursue my ambition. I have been privileged to access outstanding tuition and opportunities, which would have been impossible without the means to live in London. Because of their kindness I have worked with many fantastic teachers and coaches, highly renowned conductors and professional musicians and have had many opportunities to sing in a range of projects and opera scenes at college as well as performance opportunities externally. I am currently embarking on my final year at the Royal College and have now developed the confidence to try to progress to the next stage of my training.
I am very thankful to Clive and Sylvia for their great kindness and for enabling me to move in musical circles which are constantly creatively inspiring in a world in which the arts struggle to thrive. Through their patronage I have been given every chance of realising my dream and will always remember their great kindness and benevolence.
Madley Environmental Study Centre
The Clive and Sylvia Richards charity has helped us immensely, providing funding for children with special educational needs to come and take part in outdoor learning activities at Madley Environmental Study Centre.
Without the funding these visits would not be feasible, for the schools or ourselves. Having repeat visits has been so valuable for the children, gaining in confidence with each trip, with senses stimulated and vocabulary surprising even the teachers accompanying.
Repeat visits have also been extremely beneficial to us, as we’ve really been able to get to know the children, their abilities and their nuances, and watched them develop over the weeks.
William Pate
I am extremely grateful for the bursary provided by Clive & Sylvia Richards Charity which has supported me during my two-year Masters in Vocal Performance at the Royal Academy of Music, London. I can well remember the sunny day in 2017 when I heard from Mr Richards that the charity would support me; it was like a physical weight had been lifted from me. As well as this financial support I have felt very uplifted throughout my course by the personal interest that Clive and Sylvia have taken in my progress. Their kindness made me feel like I deserved the opportunity I had been offered, and made me determined to make the most of it.
I will graduate in Summer 2019 having had the opportunity over the past two years at RAM to work with internationally renowned conductors, perform in world-class venues, and take part in concerts, projects, opera scenes and productions at a level that I could not have imagined prior to beginning at RAM.
Without the support of CSRC I would never have got there.
Photo credit Robert Workman
Photo credit Ben Durrant
Xhosa Cole from Birmingham
‘It is hard to put into words or measure how much the generosity of the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity has helped to facilitate my development over the past few years. As a young jazz musician in England trying to find my place in an international scene of incredible artists, I’ve encountered numerous obstacles, many of which have been securing the finances to make the next steps in my career. These have included funding the purchase of my Alto and Tenor Saxophones and covering costs including lesson fees, travel back and forth from London etc.
Without the support of this amazing charity I would not have been able to achieve the heights I have been fortunate to reach so far. I was recently awarded the prestigious award of the Young Jazz Musician of the Year and although it took lots of hard work from me, without the ongoing support of the charity, I would not have been able to compete along side the top calibre of young jazz musicians in the country let alone win the competition. I am fortunate to be making music every day, performing at prestigious venues along side some of the UKs top musicians, composing music for a range of ensembles and festivals and teaching the next generations of UK talent and I am able to do that because of the generosity of this incredible charity’
Quench Arts - Wavelength
"Quench Arts is delighted to have support from the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity for our Wavelength project.
Wavelength is a creative music-making programme for young people aged 14-25 with diagnosed mental health conditions living in Birmingham and Solihull.
Support from the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity will enable us to offer one-to-one and group activities throughout 2018 leading to a public performance and the launch of a CD featuring original pieces of music written by the young people."
Dr Jack Whiting
My placement at Karapitiya, Sri Lanka was an extremely valuable and enriching experience. It was a wonderful opportunity to put what I had learned at medical school into practice and build my confidence before formally starting work as a doctor. Furthermore, it has really made me appreciate how fortunate we are in the UK to have a healthcare system like the NHS.
Although it is a shame that this incredible experience has drawn to an end, I have an exciting few months ahead of me in the UK. I have received the good news of an offer for my first-choice job at Salford Royal Hospital in Manchester where I will begin work as a Foundation Doctor at the start of August.
I would once again like to thank you and your foundation for providing me with the financial support that allowed me to grasp this unique opportunity. It has been an experience that I will never forget and it would not have been the same without your help.
Andrew Martin - Educational bursary
'The support generously given to me by the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity has not only provided me with the funds I need to continue my training without worry of being unable to pay my tuition fees, but has also given me the reassurance that my future is worth investing in.
In what is a particularly difficult time for all artists due to funding cuts, trusts like the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity are instrumental if we want to secure a future for creative arts in the UK. The funds I have received will go towards my Masters degree at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where I will be training under the highest calibre of musicians to develop an orchestral career of my own.
Without this award from Clive and Sylvia, I would almost certainly not be able to undertake this vital period of my training, or achieve my goal of becoming a professional orchestral musician.'
In July 2019 Andrew was awarded further funding by the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity.
Bursaries at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama - Christine Byrne and Isaac Shieh
Christine Byrne
The past few years have been incredibly exciting for myself and my family. The final year of my MA Opera course at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama however has been incredibly challenging because of a terrible personal tragedy that has had a profound impact on us all.
I was approached by my Head of Department who advised that I continue my studies on the Postgraduate Diploma Advanced Professional Practice course. This year at the college will be pivotal in affording me the opportunity to build a strong foundation to forward my professional development. All of this would not be possible without the generosity of The Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity. I will now be able to study without course fees. Their support will allow me to focus entirely on my education and will give me the ability to work towards all of the opportunities that will unfold as the year progresses.
I am incredibly grateful and feel truly blessed by their kindness. Something I hope to repay in kind.
Isaac Shieh
"The generous support from the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity has not only provided me with the financial aid to fulfil my fullest potential in music, but also assured me that my profession is valued and invested in.
In such a turbulent and uncertain time for the future of arts, the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity has given me the confidence to pursue my passion in the specialised field of historical performance, and the funds I have received would go towards my Masters degree as well as assist me in purchasing much needed instruments, as I will be performing with world-class ensembles such as Ex Cathedra (UK), Irish Baroque Orchestra and Ensemble Cordia (Italy) on a more regular basis in the upcoming calendar year.
The Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity has certainly propelled my burgeoning career as I am able to make the most out of my opportunities without being limited by financial constraints. I am extremely grateful to have received a scholarship from Clive and Sylvia and I look forward to continuing my relationship with the charity in the years to come."
A statement from Ocar Castellino
Due to the generosity of the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity, the Head of Voice at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, contacted me saying that they could offer me a place on their coveted opera course. The Charity would take care of my fees and help with living expenses. I was living in India at the time so their support meant I could travel to UK and study at the College.
From that moment on my life has been very different. I have received the best training at the college, sung at BBC Cardiff Singer Masterclasses, performed as a soloist with Carlo Rizzi and the WNO orchestra, composed the anthem for Mars and now I am on a contract with Scottish Opera.
The Clive and Sylvia Charity have helped change my life in a big way and members of the board have followed my progress, attended my performances and invited me to perform in concerts organized by the charity. I look forward to continue my relationship with the charity as well as follow their work in changing lives and making this world a better place!
John Masefield School, Ledbury
A statement from Rosamund
'The generous support of the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity has provided me with a significant contribution towards the fees for my masters at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, training in Music Therapy. Like any of the allied health professions you cannot practise as a music therapist without undertaking the associated training, and the MA at Guildhall is one of only eight courses in the UK where you can train. I start the two year MA in September 2018 and this financial backing will allow me to begin the course confident in being able to afford the first instalments of fees, allowing me to fully engage in the training.
My deepest thanks go to the Clive & Sylvia Richards Charity.'
In August 2019 Rosamund was awarded further funding.
Educational bursaries
A statement from Olivia
I was generously awarded a bursary from the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity so that I could complete my Master of Music course at the Royal Northern College of Music. During my time there I have been studying with the International Chair of Violin, Professor Yair Kless, successfully auditioned for a placement with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and worked with Manchester Camerata. With the charity's support I can now complete my final year of study and continue to build up a body of work so that I can go on to graduate and live as a professional violinist.
A statement from Luciano Williamson
During my postgraduate studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama I aim to develop as a working professional composer. The generous financial support from the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity means I don’t have to worry about funding my studies, and can instead devote my time to this development. After a very successful undergraduate degree completed at the College already, and with the start of this journey already begun as I receive multiple international premieres of my music this year, I am confident that the next two years will be, with the support of the Charity, instrumental in my professional development.
Pentabus Rural Theatre, Shropshire for a Writer In Residence Bursary
Artistic Director Sophie Motley said
‘We are thrilled to have the brilliant Sophie Ellerby joining us this September. She is a fantastic artist, truly representative of the journey that Pentabus are embarking on with the form of our work coming from encounters with people and communities. We are looking forward to Sophie starting her journey here at Pentabus, to meet our young writers and most importantly to have the space, time and support to focus on her writing. This would not be doable without the generous support of Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity, we are extremely thankful to them for having the vision to help us to truly change the lives of emerging artists and to give them this opportunity.’
1 February 2017 - PRESS RELEASE
Herefordshire-based philanthropists Clive and Sylvia Richards have made a £250,000 gift to support the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra’s extensive educational programme over the next five years.
The gift has been made in celebration of the appointment of the orchestra’s new Music Director, Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla – ‘conducting’s next superstar’ in the words of The Telegraph – whose initial concerts with the orchestra have attracted universal acclaim. It will enable Mirga to play a leading role in the future development of the orchestra’s educational programme, and will contribute to the cost of around 30 concerts per year for young people, an extensive programme of musical activities in schools, and the orchestra’s work with gifted and talented young musicians which includes the CBSO Youth Orchestra and the CBSO Youth and Children’s Choruses.
The first instalment of the gift was made as Mirga conducted schools’ concerts at Symphony Hall, Birmingham for 8,000 local children on 30 and 31 January.
Welcoming the gift, Mirga announced that the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity will be named Principal Supporter of the CBSO’s work with young people. She said, ‘We are thankful that Clive and Sylvia Richards share our desire to inspire young people with a love of music. Their incredible gift will enable us to offer musical experiences for tens of thousands of children every year, whether at our concerts for young people, in schools, or through our world-class youth ensembles. We are very grateful’.
CBSO Chief Executive Stephen Maddock added, ‘Clive and Sylvia Richards’ exceptionally generous gift is an important contribution to the £8 million which we will need to raise from the private sector over the next five years to realise our ambitions under Mirga’s leadership. We hope that by supporting the CBSO so generously Clive and Sylvia will inspire others to give whatever they are able.’
Clive Richards was educated at Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School in Sutton Coldfield, and began his career in the Birmingham office of Peat Marwick Mitchell & Co (now KPMG). After a period as Group Finance Director of NM Rothschild & Sons he has spent the last four decades based in the City of London as a serial entrepreneur, establishing and investing in numerous companies.
The Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity was established in 1986, and has since then provided millions of pounds in support to healthcare, education, heritage and artistic causes in Herefordshire and the Midlands and around the UK. Clive was awarded the OBE for charity in the millennium honours list. He is no stranger to orchestral music, having previously served as a board director of the London Symphony Orchestra.
Clive Richards said ‘My wife and I are delighted to support Mirga in the music education of young people in the greater Birmingham area. Undoubtedly Mirga will captivate and inspire all the young people who come into orbit as she already does with her older admirers.’
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra announces £250,000 gift from
Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity
Educational Support - A statement from Hannah-Louise
I completed my Undergraduate, Bachelor of Music degree at Edinburgh Napier University in 2017, studying violin as my first instrument. When accepted to The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD) to study my Master of Musical performance (MMus), it gave me the fantastic opportunity to grow as a musician increasing both my academic and performance experience.
As I begin my second year at RWCMD, I am so grateful and feel immensely privileged that with the financial support of the Clive and Sylvia Richards charity, I can continue this amazing musical journey.
My senior year as a MMus Performance student, will include a rich variety of challenges as I approach the end of my study. Technically demanding repertoire, multiple orchestral projects and fast paced modules, designed to craft the outlook of my future as a musician, will complement the skills I attained in year one. I will also be leading a new quartet, playing in the ‘City Church’ worship band, private tutoring and expand viola and piano repertoire.
My musical ability, knowledge and confidence as a violinist and musician has already been so enriched within the music college, and thanks to the Clive and Sylvia Richards charity, the joy of completing my studies at RWCMD in Cardiff can continue with peace of mind.
The new artificial mat at the Queen Elizabeth High School, Bromyard, Herefordshire
Bromyard Cricket Club would like to express its sincere gratitude to the Clive and Sylvia Richards charity, for their very generous donation which has enabled the old artificial mat at the Queen Elizabeth High School to be replaced. The new mat will be used by Bromyard 3rd XI, the school, and by Bromyard CC juniors. It should see plenty of use and will hopefully last for a decade or so. Once again thanks to Clive and Sylvia for their generosity. Images show 'before' and 'after'.
A statement from William Fox
I have just spent three years as a Music student and Organ Scholar at Magdalen College, Oxford, where, alongside studying for a degree, I took a share in the organ-playing at daily chapel services in the College Chapel, as well as broadcasts, recordings and tours with the choir.
Before heading to Oxford, I enjoyed a wonderful gap year in Hereford, working at the Cathedral as organ scholar. I have very fond memories of the county, its Cathedral and its people. Over a short span of time, I was made to feel very welcome in the Cathedral community and county.
I am about to move to London to take up the (somewhat daunting) role of Sub Organist at St Paul’s Cathedral. St Paul’s is possibly the busiest cathedral in the country, with major special services, daily services. At St Paul’s, I will be expected to learn a significant amount of music. The Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity has enabled me to invest in a practice organ to allow me to practise regularly on an high-quality instrument in my own accommodation. Small practice organs are hard to come by, and often extremely expensive. Though I have been lucky in having access to instruments on which to practice in the past, having an instrument of quality in my sole ownership for the first time will offer a much-valued degree of financial security and musical practicality.
I am immensely grateful to the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity for their generosity, and I endeavour to repay it through daily use of an instrument which will underpin the work that I do.
Photo credit: Hugh Warwick
A statement from Royal Northern College of Music and Drama in Manchester
The Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity has provided invaluable support to the RNCM Children’s Opera project, enabling 180 children from four primary schools in inner-city Manchester to devise and perform their own opera. The project facilitated a transformational leap in the children’s confidence, skills and knowledge. As a result of the Charity’s grant, we have witnessed the incredible personal development of the children and their growing appetite to become involved in the arts. It has been a privilege to be able to provide these opportunities to the young people
Mid Border Arts, Presteigne, Powys
The Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity agreed to
support a programme of live theatre
engagement for children from Herefordshire
and Radnorshire including drama workshops
September 2017 - June 2018.
Educational Support
A bursary grant was made to Naomi to assist with her musical educational studies.
Educational Support
Dayna received an award in 2018 from the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity for her Masters Course and a further award was made in July 2019.
Educational Support
In 2016 Daire began studying for a masters at the Royal Northern College of Music, where he was awarded post graduate funding. He now studies with Vicci Wardman (Principal Viola of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra).
Educational Support - A statement from William White
"The Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity has provided me with invaluable support in aiding me to complete my postgraduate studies as a clarinettist at the Royal Academy of Music. In 2015, after successful audition, I embarked on a two-year Master of Arts programme at the Academy, in order in more finely hone my skills on my instrument and to help develop my professional network.
As there is no student loan available for postgraduate study it has to be entirely self funded, with the help of different trusts and organisations. I met with Mr Richards who was extremely kind to me and took a very genuine interest in my career to date and my plans for the future. I was lucky enough to receive and award from the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity that helped me enormously in completing my studies at the Academy.
With this financial help, I was able to immerse myself fully in my course with out the added worry of not being able to pay my tuition fees. In July 2017, I graduated with Distinction on the Master of Arts course from RAM and am now embarking on a career as an orchestral musician. I am fortunate enough to currently be working with several professional orchestras and I am positive that I would have not be in this position if it were not for the help from the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity.
As well as providing invaluable financial support, Mr Richards had a wealth of knowledge of the Arts and takes a great interest in an individuals progress and career path. The support I received from the CSRC will last far past the culmination of my course and I hope to be in contact with the charity as my career continues."
John Kyrle School, Ross on Wye, Herefordshire
Artifical pitch for the school
'Jacob'
From John Kyrle School, Ross on Wye - Slalom Kayaker!
The Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity has made a donation towards Jacob's costs of pursuing his love of canoeing.
Hopefully one day he will be representing GB in this event.
Photographs published with the family's permission and subject to copyright.
Chance To Shine
A cricket project designed to bring the
sport to all children.
The Charity committed £250,000 over
a 10 year period to support this initiative
which has proven to be very successful.
Bishop Vesey Grammar School, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham
The Charity has supported Bishop Vesey Grammar School, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham in many of its new projects including a floodlit pitch, AstroTurf pitch, Music Room and a variety of refurbishment projects including the new 6th Form Block.
The donations and projects for this school over many years exceeds £1M.
This was the school where Clive Richards received his education and he wanted to 'give something back' to those who helped him make a good start in his career.
The Charity has also supported numerous students in their endeavours in chess, music and sporting activities over the years.
Fairfield High School, Peterchurch, Herefordshire
Music Development Project
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