Royal Society of Musicians

I received this magnificent bouquet at yesterday's AGM of the Royal Society of Musicians, stepping down after ten years as the Society's President. It really has been a pleasure to fulfil this largely ceremonial post, but also a great honour. RSM was founded in 1738 by George Frideric Handel and colleagues in response to cases of poverty resulting from ill health amongst fellow musicians. Generations of musicians have taken up the baton, and the Society is now particularly well-run, strongly established, and expanding in its reach; while remaining very true to its core concern of "supporting music professionals unable to work due to physical or mental ill health".

RSM's AGMs are reliably the most cheerful corporate meetings I ever attend, a little live music is included (yesterday by the fabulous Fidelio Trio) and looking round the extremely full room, I realised how many years I went back with so many people there. It's a rare opportunity for a lot of musicians to get together in a relaxed setting, for a good cause. Anyone professionally active in music in the UK can apply to join RSM - it's a simple process, and really worth doing.

PICTURED: The enormous RSM bouquet  (Fox Terrier included for scale.)