A FORGOTTEN benefactor of Ross-on-Wye has been honoured with a blue plaque - thanks to the efforts of Gill Richards, who conducted the research into the world-renowned violinist.

And after almost two years since the suggestion was put forward to honour Bernhard Molique Carrodus, Ross Town Council have erected a blue plaque on The Corn Exchange, on the town’s High Street, as the location was used as a venue for his many and very popular smoking concerts.

Gill said: “Sadly, Bernhard is no longer remembered in Ross, yet his music is still studied extensively worldwide.

“When I moved from Birmingham to The Lea some years ago, I wanted to find out about the history of my cottage and discovered that Mr Carrodus lived close by.

“My interest was initially stimulated because of the Carrodus Violin, a Stradivarius, owned by Bernhard’s father and in turn, this led to me discovering more about the musician locally.”

Bernhard played at the Three Choirs Festivals and was in demand all over the country, both as a solo artist and with orchestras.

He was also summoned to Balmoral to play for Queen Victoria in 1899 and he toured with famous singers of the era.

Bernhard also became the presidential chairman of the Savage Club in London where friends and contemporaries of this gentlemen’s club included Sir Edward Elgar, who wrote violin solos for him.

Bernhard was also a composer himself writing two mazurkas, (a folk dance) a Scotch Rhapsody and Romance in G, along with writing a book on technical studies for violin students.

Sadly, his national and international career was curtailed due to early deafness. His retirement was a great loss to the music world at the time, but during this latter period, he became a great benefactor to Ross.

Gill added: “I am pleased that the town council have honoured Bernhard as I felt that his contribution to the town had been forgotten and it felt that he never existed.

“I’ve researched the bound volumes of the Ross Gazette and found out a lot about him, and what he did for the town. Its amazing and he should not be forgotten.

“Unfortunately, Bernhard doesn’t have any known living relatives. His headstone doesn’t have a visible inscription at the church in the Lea.

“But despite this he and his and his wife Gertude were the pinnacle of Ross society as his death notice from 1935 reads like an edition of Burke’s Peerage given his fame and his connections.

“In his obituary Bernhard is credited as giving generously his services to worthy causes in Ross.”

Bernhard, a widow with two children married Gertrude Sarah Bradney of Wharton Hall in 1908 and became president of Ross Music Society and Ross Rowing Club.

A concert at the Corn Exchange in 1915 raised funds for the First World War Hospital in Ross which was located at Carodoc Villas and Westfield.

The popular Carrodus Smoking Concerts were held in The Corn Exchange and The Royal Hotel. These were well attended as personal friends and top musicians of the era would also join him.