Instrument loans

Greenham Common Trust’s musical instrument loan scheme was launched in 2005 to encourage local younger musicians of all standards to develop their musical talents. Over the last five years the Trust has bought and loaned over £28,000 worth of instruments to schools and musical organisations throughout the area.

Cold Ash Brass has received a trombone, two percussion tympani, a baritone horn and a Bb Bass from the Trust since 2007.

Band secretary Paul Sanders said: “It often costs up to £2,000 to buy a new instrument which is out of reach of many families, especially when cash is tight and there is very little a second hand instruments available. Without Greenham Common Trust I don’t know how we would achieve it. They have been an absolute godsend. You have 28 parts in a full brass band and we were able to enter the National Brass Band regional championships after the Trust supplied the tympani so we could broaden our percussion section.”

Budding violinists at Falkland Primary School, Newbury have also benefitted from the Trust’s scheme. They were supplied 37 violins - free of charge. The school’s violin tuition, which is organised in partnership with the Berkshire Young Musicians Trust, has previously relied on the rental of instruments and ongoing financial support from various sources including the Englefield Trust and the Berkshire Community Foundation’s Give a Child a Chance project.

Mr Askey, head teacher at Falkland Primary School, commented: “The supply of these violins has made the future of violin tuition at the school far more certain. Previously the school has been forced to constantly seek external funding to enable us to sustain this valuable and enjoyable element of the children’s education.”

Jonathan Burnett, Head of Strings at Berkshire Young Musicians Trust, added: “Our aims are to make musical tuition accessible to all pupils in Berkshire, regardless of background, aptitude, age or ability to pay and this funding is a tremendous boost for the children at Falkland Primary School and will help them to develop a love and understanding of music.”
The Trust buys the instruments and supplies them free of charge. It is up to the recipient to insure the instrument themselves and if the band breaks up they have to return the instruments to the Trust.

You have to fill in an application form (click below) to be considered for an instrument loan scheme. Please read the terms and conditions before you apply (download a copy of the terms and conditions). An agreement also has to be signed before the instruments are released on loan. (download a copy of the draft agreement)

For more information please contact Melissa Elliott at the Trust on 01635 817445 or email Melissa@greenham-common-trust.co.uk.

Draft Agreement - May 2010 Instrument Loan
Student Instrument Loan Form - May 2010
Policy and Procedure Document