Music awards scheme created at Cherry Grove Primary School to celebrate the life of gifted guitarist Joshua Kyle Easton of Vicars Cross

Mar 20 2009 by Paul Mannion, Chester Chronicle

A MUSIC award scheme has been created in memory of a talented 12-year-old who died after a collision with a van while riding his bike near a busy petrol station.

The Joshua Easton Music Award has been started to celebrate the life of gifted guitarist and Christleton High School pupil Joshua Kyle Easton, of Oldfield Drive, Vicars Cross, who died in November last year.

Parents Jo and Steve Easton teamed up with Joshua’s primary school, Cherry Grove, and performing arts company Chester Music Theatre (CMT) to set up the annual award, which will be given to talented music students from Cherry Grove.

The winner will receive individual music lessons with CMT’s director of music, Catherine Harrison, who taught Josh guitar.

Cherry Grove headteacher Chris Marron said: “Josh was an exceptionally gifted boy, good at sports, academic work and music. But, much more importantly, he was truly kind-hearted, and he was always ready to help others.”

The award will be presented to the winning pupil by Joshua’s parents at a music extravaganza scheduled for the end of June which will feature the Cherry Grove choir and former pupils who also performed at Joshua’s funeral celebrations.