The Pendle Young Musicians Bursary (PYMB) was founded in 2012 by Mrs Ruth Sutton of Foulridge, Lancashire. 

The PYMB’s purpose was to give the young musicians of Pendle, a chance of gaining substantial funding to help them continue their musical studies. In reality, Ruth gave so much more than this, through developing close relations with the musicians and their families.  She encouraged and supported them on their journey to becoming fine and often very successful musicians. 

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Ruth, as she was fondly known by her friends and musicians alike, was a concert pianist in her earlier years.  Her love for music remained a passion throughout her life.  Since the first competition in 2012, the bursary has continuously grown.  It has expanded its catchment area to include surrounding cities whilst still encouraging the local musicians of Pendle, who remain at the core of the bursary's foundation.

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Ruth died in 2022 but her PYMB legacy lives on, as the panel and adjudicators continue its fine work, inspiring and nurturing the next generation of local musicians. 

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