The Michael Heaton Award

Michael Heaton (1924-2024) and was educated at Ledbury Grammar School. In 1941 he joined the Air Training Corps and subsequently trained as an RAF Navigator.  

After the war he continued in the RAF and was posted to Kolkata, India. Upon returning to England in 1947 he was demobilized and soon headed back to Kolkata where he took up a post with Alfred Herbert (India) Ltd. He worked there until 1958, first as Company Secretary and then as Director.  

On returning to England, he took a number of temporary positions until joining Ciro Pearls as Company Secretary, eventually becoming Managing Director. Ciro was a leading retailer of costume jewellery with outlets not just in the UK but also France, Germany, Austria and the USA. He enjoyed the resulting years of travel, eventually retiring on his 65^th birthday after 25 years’ service. 

After retirement he enjoyed a leisurely life in his Hampstead home, surrounded by his extensive library and cultivating his garden. 

Michael’s greatest pleasure was playing the piano which he had learnt to play at school. He had also played the organ in Ledbury Church and when in India had been organist at Calcutta Cathedral. He had a huge collection of piano music, from Mozart and Beethoven to Noel Coward and Cole Porter, and loved playing for friends both at home and on social occasions.  

Michael died in 2024 shortly after his 100th birthday. The Michael Heaton Award supports talented young pianists and organists so that his love of keyboard music can be passed on to future generations.