Maisie is first winner of Hastings Musical Festival bursary

Hastings Musical Festival has announced the first recipient of the new bursary funded by generous donations to the Molly Townson Bursary Fund, in memory of the festival’s late chairman Molly.
Maisie EdwardsMaisie Edwards
Maisie Edwards

This annual bursary is intended to support the studies of a student who has competed in Hastings Musical Festival and who is pursuing a career in the performing arts. The 2020 Molly Townson Bursary of £3,000 has been awarded to Maisie Edwards.

Maisie lives in Bexhill on Sea and is doing A levels in psychology and drama at Bexhill College. She is 18.

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Festival general secretary Jenny Griffiths said: “Maisie has been taking part in Hastings Musical Festival over many years and is an accomplished dancer and singer and has won our bronze, silver and gold medals for dancing as well as other trophies over the years.

“She also works to help younger students at Lacey Theatre Arts and In the Wings Youth Theatre as well as being a Creative Learning Tutor with White Rock Theatre.”

Maisie said: “I am so thankful, grateful and feel so honoured to have received this bursary in memory of Molly Townson.

“I hope to be taking up a position at Bird College on a three-year musical theatre degree course (BA hons). I will keep in close contact with the Hastings Musical Festival over the many years to come and also keep them informed of my progression.”

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Jenny added: “We wish Maisie the best of luck for the future and congratulate her on becoming the very first Molly Townson Bursary Award Winner.”

The Festival was first held in 1908, and more than 100 years later has evolved into the vibrant and exciting event it is today. Starting as “Festival for the encouragement of choral singing” it quickly became a Musical Festival involving various branches of music.

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