A FOUNDATION has been set-up to honour Christchurch’s “passionate” political and community figure Judy Jamieson.

The foundation has been started at the Christchurch Priory CofE Primary School after Mrs Jamieson died in April.

Mrs Jamieson had been a governor at the school for 35 years and the chairman of governors for a further seven.

The foundation raises funds to help inspire children to take up and enjoy music, with the hope that this will then help develop their wider skills.

It aims to enhance the learning and enjoyment of primary aged schoolchildren and wishes to engage children in acquiring and developing skills. The foundation wants to breathe life and experience into the school curriculum in a unique and enterprising way.

Mrs Jamieson, the town’s Conservative agent for 30 years, became a music student late in her life and felt music could reach out and touch the lives of all, regardless of their other beliefs.

She also had a great relationship with the Christchurch and District Band.

Her husband Cllr Colin Jamieson said: “It’s important to me, because it was important to her. We’re desperate for the community to embrace it and I’m sure if it becomes as successful as we want it to be then it will spread beyond the Priory to different areas of Christchurch.

“The ambition is to spread it wider because as Judy would say, every child matters.”

Mr Jamieson said that his wife had been “passionate” about children and always recognised that music is a universal language, that can help in education.

He added: “You learn so many more transferable skills such as teamwork, concentration, how to count, communication skills as well as fitness skills.

“Judy saw music as an opportunity for learning.

“She wanted to see children improve and get better through whatever medium she could.”

Donations can be made to the foundation at tapperfuneralservice.co.uk or to Tapper Funeral Service, 89/91 Barrack Road, Christchurch, BH23 2AJ.