THE SISTER of famed Blackburn contralto Kathleen Ferrier has given a boost to the society set up in the singer's name, by leaving it almost £50,000 in her will.

Winifred Margaret Ferrier died in November aged 91 leaving £194,471.

Some of the money has been left to personal legatees, but the residue of the estate has been divided three ways between the Blackburn-based Kathleen Ferrier Society, the Kathleen Ferrier exhibition Winifred helped to compile at Blackburn Museum and Middlesex Hospital, London.

Now Sylvia Alexander, chair of the society, believes a new bursary scheme set up by the society will go on in perpetuity thanks to the legacy.

She said: "It is a marvellous cash boost to the award.

"We had already managed to secure £3,000 for the first bursary this year through events and donations.

"Now we should be able to sponsor a first year under-graduate every year by investing the cash."

The first Kathleen Ferrier scholar will be chosen at a celebration concert at King George's Hall on Sunday, May 19.

Mrs Alexander is also hoping that a permanent exhibition room may be built to house the memorabilia stored in Blackburn Museum archives.

She said: "Winifred gave many items to the society which we have given to the museum."

"Unfortunately the museum isn't able to show the exhibits too often. Hopefully that will change."

Two pictures painted by Kathleen Ferrier which belonged to her sister, will also be donated to the museum.

Royalties from the singer's recordings will be given to the Kathleen Ferrier Memorial Scholarship Fund.

The Middlesex hospital bequest will fund the Kathleen Ferrier Chair of Clinical Oncology.

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