Music at Paxton has been gifted a significant bequest by one of our long-standing and loyal Patrons, Miss Wilson, who sadly passed away in 2024.
While the final details of the bequest are still to be finalised, it is clear that this donation will have a positive impact on the future of Music at Paxton. It will enable us to continue our mission of presenting world class music and musicians in the Borders region, providing career-building opportunities for young professional musicians, and improving access to quality live music.
Whilst this generous donation will enable Music at Paxton to both survive and thrive, it does not mitigate our need to continue fundraising from other sources. The funding landscape for arts and culture remains extremely challenging on both sides of the border, with no guarantee that previous funders will be in a position to continue their support of Music at Paxton from one year to the next. The Trustees are therefore committed to ensuring that a portion of the bequest is used to protect the medium to long term future of the festival through careful management and ethical investment of the funds.
We are also prioritising a portion of the funds in the short term to our important aim of improving access to music, specifically in 2025 to presenting a local school project, funding a festival intern position for early career arts professionals, and supporting a trial project that provides a free taxi service for some festival events for those unable to drive. Music at Paxton will continue to invest in the local economy through using local suppliers wherever possible, and by attracting festival visitors to come and spend some time in the beautiful Borders region.
We are incredibly honoured and grateful to be beneficiaries of Miss Wilson’s legacy. If you are interested in learning more about legacy-gifting, you can download our information leaflet on the link below, or email us on info@musicatpaxton.co.uk.
