MANY people in the Crediton area would have been aware of Pete Mason, a singer, songwriter, musician, music promoter, radio presenter and environmental campaigner well-known on the local music scene.

Pete sadly died in the Autumn, but his wife Diana, along with members of Pete’s band “The Woodmen”, wanted to remember Pete’s commitment to local music by setting up the Pete Mason Music Fund.

The fund, administered by Crediton Arts Centre, has received money from donations and the sale of some of Pete’s instruments and music equipment, and has built up a reserve in the last few months.

The trustees would like to express thanks to Pete’s friends and family in donating so generously to the fund.

The trustees of the fund are now at a point where they are ready to start distributing some of the funds.

An award has already been made to Crediton Radio (for whom Pete presented a regular music podcast) to obtain a PRS licence.

Applications are being invited from musicians at a key stage in their musical development who may require some additional support to progress.

This may be for musical tuition, recording costs, purchasing an instrument or equipment (although not limited to these categories).

The maximum amount awarded will be £500 and the minimum age of the beneficiary will be 14 years of age.

Applications should be sent by email, with an attached covering letter, to Jack Robson at: [email protected] by March 31, 2021.

You should explain who you are, where you are based, where you feel you are in your musical development and the cost of item(s) required.

Applications will be considered by the trustees at the beginning of April and a decision made quickly.

The Pete Mason Music Fund has limited resources at the present time, and not all applications may be successful.

Anyone wishing to donate to the Pete Mason Music Fund can do so by bank transfer to Crediton Arts Centre, Sort Code: 40-52-40 Account Number: 00012553, or cheque made out to Crediton Arts Centre, marking the donation Pete Mason Music Fund.

The Arts Centre also has a quantity of PA kit, guitar pedals, guitar stands and instruments for sale, a list of which can be obtained from Jack Robson at: [email protected] .