Do you need extra help to fund your studies?
There is a small fund available to help local people pay for their further education. This could be anything from paying for study books or equipment, extra curricula music lessons, school trips, assistance with exam fees and a whole range of educational support.
History
The Trust Fund has an interesting history which is not widely known. Elizabeth Hodges was the eldest child of Thomas Hodges and his wife Edith Estcourt and was born over 320 years ago in 1687, in Shipton Moyne. She had two younger brothers who had both died by 1721, as were her parents and she was left with the control of a small fortune. Her wealth made her an attractive prospect and she received proposals from more than one admirer. In 1722, one Ralph Neville declared that people said she was "good, charitable, and vertuous; I must be deeply insensible, Madam, if not inflamed with so bright a Character." She did not marry him, which was fortuitous for the people of Malmesbury, because in 1723, in her will she left £30 per annum (a lot of money in those days!) to establish a school for boys in Malmesbury.
1730 a charity was created which in turn established a school for fifteen poor, but honest boys at 40 Gloucester Road.
1880 brought the provision of free government funded education and the free poor school closed. Individual grants were occasionally awarded after this time, mainly through the Head Teacher of Malmesbury School.
1960s onward the Trust 'slept'.
1990 Malmesbury Town Council opened a tin box containing Elizabeth Hodges Charity papers. It was discovered that there was about £2,500 in the Charity's funds and the Trust was again able to grant funds to local people.
2010 Today we hold fundraising events, so that we can grant a bit more than the original £30, which we still receive. Also, the Trust is open to applications from any gender, age or ethnicity, not just "fifteen poor, but honest boys!"
To apply for a grant, you have to live in Malmesbury and to be of low income or limited means. If you would like further information, please emailphil.rice@malmesbury.gov.uk or phone Phil Rice (Secretary, Elizabeth Hodges Trust. Registered Charity No. 309334) at Malmesbury Town Hall, Tel: 01666 822143.
'Heart Of Song' 11th September
Make a date in your diary!
Please come along and support us at our next fundraising event, which will be the 'Heart of Song' to be held on 11th September at 7pm (Malmesbury Abbey).
Fabulous Welsh choir (Morriston RFC Choir – reputed to be one of the best in the Principality) will delight you with contemporary and spiritual choir music and along with artistes from Malmesbury School. After the concert we hope you will join us for light refreshments, which will be available for sale at St. Mary's Hall, The Triangle including a licensed bar.
Concert Tickets £10 available from Malmesbury Abbey or Malmesbury Rocks! in the High St.
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