OKEHAMPTON Educational Foundation has announced the launch of a new major music project within Okehampton and Okehampton Hamlets.

The OEF, run by Okehampton United Charity, is making £30,000 available – £10,000 a year for the next three years – to promote the learning of musical instruments by children and young people up to the age of 25.

Individuals and groups are invited to bid for all or part of the money, which must be used to support new initiatives which are not in competition with existing learning, and are solely for the benefit of people living within Okehampton and Okehampton Hamlets.

Karen Percival, clerk of Okehampton United Charity, said: 'It is really exciting to promote possible new projects like this.

'Music is a wonderful way to express creativity while learning a new skill. There are a number of fantastic music initiatives within the town, and we hope that this scheme can provide even more opportunities to play and get involved with music in Okehampton.'

Applicants will need to demonstrate that they are able to deliver a quality service which represents good value for money, provide a safe and positive learning environment, that there are strategies in place to enable people of all backgrounds to participate on an equal basis, and they are able to operate as a free standing body with the necessary DBS checks and liability insurance.

Applications that can attract additional funding from elsewhere, involve a range of instruments, and are able to involve both entry level and more experienced players are likely to impress trustees.

Making good use of existing facilities and resources in Okehampton, making good use of volunteers, catering for as many people as possible and projects that may result in public performances will also be looked upon encouragingly.

Partnership applications with more than one organisation bidding to provide differing services which complement one another are welcome.

While it is the intention of the charity to fund projects for three years, funds will be allocated on a yearly basis and it reserves the right not to renew if it feels the intentions of a scheme are not being realised.

The charity will discuss applications at its June meeting and applications must be in by April 30. It is hoped that projects will begin no later than September 2014.

For more information call clerk Karen Percival on 01837 55179 or e-mail [email protected]">[email protected]