Rolleston United Foundation
(Reg no. 528492)
Clerk to the Trustees:
, 20 Croft Close, Rolleston on Dove, DE13 9AF (tel. 812184)
Introduction
In recent years, readers of Rollestonian will have noticed the annual advertisement inviting grant applications to this Charity. This article gives a background to the Charity and invites donations from any persons or organisations interested in helping it to continue to fulfil its purpose for future generations.
History
The Rolleston United Foundation dates from 1923 when it was created from a consolidation of much older village charities.
There were three main elements –
The charity applies to the Ancient Parish of Rolleston which, today, means the parishes of Rolleston, Anslow and part of Tatenhill. This results in the appointment of six Trustees –
One by the Rector and Churchwardens of Rolleston St Mary’s
One by Rolleston Parish Council
One by Anslow Parish Council
One by Tatenhill Parish Council
Two by Staffordshire County Council, as the Local Education Authority.
As set up, the Foundation’s money could be used for the benefit of boys only, but in 1978 the Trustees made application to the Secretary of State, under the Sex Discrimination Act of 1975 for girls to be included in the scheme.
From 1923 until the Education Act of 1944 the Foundation used its income to fund a series of scholarships to Burton Grammar School. These consisted of school fees, books and a season rail ticket to Burton. The last recipient was Mr David Allen who died in September 2004.
In 1945/6 the Trustees looked for alternative uses for their income and responded to requests from Rolleston and Anslow schools for radio gramophones and new pianos. They also made grants to the Rolleston and Anslow Youth Clubs. From then on until 1959 much of the income was used to provide book prizes to local boys gaining entry to Burton or Uttoxeter Grammar Schools. This was then considered inappropriate and the Foundation gradually became moribund in the 1960's.
In 1973 a new initiative was set up with consideration to be given to university students, sixth form pupils and the physically and mentally handicapped. Much use of the Foundation was made by students from the old Forest of Needwood High School for assistance with foreign exchange travel, trade apprenticeships and university entrance.
Today
The trustees receive some requests for assistance with apprenticeships but the growing and overwhelming majority of requests arrive from university students.
The Future
The trustees face the common problem that their investments, approved by the Charity Commissioners, have not kept place with inflation and they have only a modest income of around £400 per year for distribution.
The rapid growth of further education and the imposition of charges for university courses are resulting in a large increase in applications. Any assistance that the Foundation can give will continue to be very modest without further capital investment in the charity.
The Trustees would welcome charitable donations from any individuals or organisations wishing to support the physical. vocational or academic education of our local youth.
Student Grants Available
Left school? Passed your exams? Going to college? Perhaps Rolleston United Foundation could help you with a small grant towards the cost of books or equipment.
The Trustees invite applications from school leavers resident in the parishes of Rolleston and Anslow who are starting college courses/apprenticeships/vocational training later this year. Application forms are available from the Secretary to the trustees:
, 20 Croft Close, Rolleston on Dove, DE13 9AF (tel. 812184) or can be downloaded as a Word or pdf document.
Applications received by 27 September 2008 will be considered by the trustees at a meeting in early October.
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Last updated: 29 April 2008