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Royal College of Music

Royal College of Music: Bursar

IDENTITY STATEMENT

Reference code(s): GB 1249 Bursar

Held at: Royal College of Music

Title: Royal College of Music: Bursar

Date(s): 1882-1997

Level of description: sub-fonds

Extent: 18 volumes, 63 files, 3 boxes

Name of creator(s): Royal College of Music

CONTEXT

Administrative/Biographical history:

The post of Bursar of the Royal College of Music was created in 1923, with responsibility, under the Council, for the financial administration, property and buildings of the College. Its first incumbent was Mr E J N Polkinghorne, previously Head of the office staff at the RCM, who held the office until 1946, to be followed by Ernest Stammers (1946-1956), Capt John T Shrimpton RN (1957-1971); Maj D A Imlay (1972-1984); Aidan P Miller (1984-1987) and Col W M Morgan (1987-1999). Following reorganisation the post was reconstituted as Head of Resources, with responsibility for the Secretariat, Finance Department, Personnel, Information Services, the Britten Theatre and Estates.

CONTENT

Scope and content/abstract:

Records of the Bursar of the Royal College of Music, including copy of Order in Council for passing Charter of the RCM with related papers, 1883; licences from Commissioners for the 1851 Exhibition for building at RCM, 1905-1976, including copy of original lease of 1891; accounts of donations, 1882-1896; register of subscribers, 1922-1946; RCM General Regulations and Annual Report, 1883-1884; contracts of Directors of the RCM on appointment, 1918-1984; annexes to Council papers (reports Director from RCM departments), 1888-1994; papers relating to conversion of examination room into Parry Opera Theatre, 1919-1923; papers, plans, photographs and correspondence relating to building extensions, 1962-1963; New Building Appeal (1969) papers, 1968-1970; papers relating to purchase of 6-8 Evelyn Gardens from the Royal Society of Musicians, for conversion into student accommodation (Robert Mayer Hall), 1968-1979; report by Norman and Dawbarn on condition of 1894 RCM building interior, 1972; building consultants' meetings minutes, 1982-1983; papers and reports on Opera Theatre, 1984-1988; papers on completion of Library works, 1984; specification for refurbishment of Concert Hall, 1993; Departmental reports to Council and Patron's and Palmer Fund, 1980-1989; Administrative Staff insurance papers, 1936-1979; RCM pensions trust deeds, 1962-1987; Prince Consort Foundation trust deeds, 1983-1999, and accounts, 1982-1994; George Donaldson Gift of instruments trust deeds, 1894; papers relating to the Museum of Instruments, 1968-1970, 1973-1980; lists of RCM stringed instruments, 1943-1993; Patron's Fund trust deeds, 1903-1912; John Astor Fund trust deeds, 1935; agreements between RCM and Royal Academy of Music in regard to development of the Associated Board, 1896-1920; Department of Education and Science, correspondence and accounts, 1973-1986; graduation ceremony programmes, 1995; miscellaneous papers on investments and pensions, 1962-1975, 1980-1985.

ACCESS AND USE

Language/scripts of material: English

System of arrangement:

Arranged in series, mostly corresponding to information given in scope and content.

Conditions governing access:

The release of any material will be at the College's sole discretion to bona fide researchers who supply a letter which states their credentials and their relationship (e.g. biographer, genealogist, family member) to the individual concerned and which defines clearly the purpose of their research. Access to non-confidential material will normally be available at the College's discretion and under the supervision of library staff. Direct access to confidential records containing personal or private information will not normally be automatically granted until the death of the correspondents can be reliably established, or 25 years after their creation, whichever is later. Permission of the use of records for aggregate research (e.g. statistical data) will normally be granted provided that such research does not identify individuals. Access to other college records, including minutes and correspondence will normally be granted at the College's discretion.

Conditions governing reproduction:

Photocopying is permitted at the discretion of the Archivist for research purposes only.

Physical characteristics:

Finding aids:

Researchers should apply to the Archivist for further information on these records.

ARCHIVAL INFORMATION

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information:

Due for appraisal in 2003; later material is likely to be weeded.

Accruals:

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

Internal accumulation by the RCM during the course of business.

ALLIED MATERIALS

Existence and location of originals:

Existence and location of copies:

Related material:

RCM holds the majority of financial records of the Bursar under the RCM Finance Office. The RCM holds other material relating to the Patron's and Palmer Funds in the records of the Council (Ref: Council), Director (Ref: Director) and Palmer Family notebook (Ref: MS 1140).

Publication note:

DESCRIPTION NOTES

Note:

Archivist's note: Compiled by Robert Baxter as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project. Source: The Royal College of Music: a centenary record by H C Coles and John Cruft (Prince Consort Foundation, London, 1982).