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Apart from normal work relating to his job, Sidney was involved with other far reaching activities. During the war he helped to train students as army cadets, learning himself as he went along. On occasion he had to conduct wearing his uniform. His interest in walking led to his collection of historic maps, now in the Scottish Library. Musically, he founded The Edinburgh Quartet which a few years ago performed at The Nailsworth Festival. He was involved with Scottish Opera. At the end of the war, his vision of music as a healing influence, led to his becoming, along with Lady Rosebury, Rudolph Bing of Glyndbourne, and a leader of the British Council, a founder of The Edinburgh Festival, originally envisaged as a one off occasion. But, perhaps it was the restoration of C17 St Cecilia's Hall to house Raymond Russell's unique collection of virginals, harpsichord's, spinets and clavichords to which he gave most hands on support. The collection was originally offered by Raymond to Edinburgh University and later given by his mother in his memory. After Sidney's death a new gallery was named "The Newman Gallery". |
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