The William Hill Trust Sub-Committee met on Wednesday 25 March 2026 to consider applications for financial assistance. The committee approved funding for Melrose Pipes and Drums and, after a discussion that moved into private session, granted multi-year funding to the Melrose Music Festival.

Melrose Music Festival Funding

The committee considered an application for financial assistance from the Melrose Music Festival. Robert Marshall, Artistic Director and Trustee of the festival, presented the application, highlighting its growth and future plans. He explained that the festival aims to share the joy of music, promote high quality music and musicians of all genres, and to encourage involvement, especially in young people in music appreciation, participation and composition in the Scottish Borders. ¹ The festival requested multi-year funding of £10,000 per year for three years to support its transition to professionalisation, enhance its focus on young people's access to music, and signal confidence to other potential funders.

Concerns were raised by Lorna, representing the Melrose and District Community Council, and Councillor John PatonDay regarding the festival's reach and the nature of its programming. Lorna questioned whether the festival was purely for the benefit of the people of Melrose and suggested it benefited the wider Borders region. Councillor PatonDay inquired about the niche nature of the music, noting that previous events appeared to be classical in nature.

Robert Marshall responded by explaining that the festival's programming is diverse, including jazz and folk music, and that its work with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra's Vibe in the Borders programme supports young people not in mainstream schooling. He also clarified that while the festival may be renamed the Borders Music Festival, its events are primarily for the benefit of Melrose residents. He added that the festival aims to be a destination event similar to the Melrose Book Festival, drawing visitors to the town.

Following this discussion, the committee moved into a private session to discuss the application further. Upon returning to public business, it was announced that the Melrose Music Festival had been granted funding. The decision was that the festival would receive guaranteed funding for the current financial year, with any future funding subject to review. The review for next year's funding will take place before Christmas 2026.

Melrose Pipes and Drums Funding

The committee also considered an application for financial assistance from Melrose Pipes and Drums. The organisation applied for £10,000 to support a visit to their twin town, Teba, in Spain. The application stated the visit would further enhance the link and relationship with Melrose whilst promoting the Town of Melrose to the Spanish and encouraging them to visit our town and broader Borders Region. The funds were intended to assist with travel and accommodation costs, as well as ensuring members were uniformly dressed and instruments were in good condition. The committee unanimously agreed to support this application.