4 December 2024

£25,000 funding for Ilminster: Celebrating local projects and community spirit

Following the recent transfer of the former Gooch Charitable Trust (Ilminster) to Somerset Community Foundation (SCF), the first round of grants have been awarded to 4 local groups in Ilminster and the surrounding area, totalling nearly £25,000.

Originally established by Archie Gooch in 1989, the Trust Fund was a way for him to give back to the Ilminster community after settling there with his family in 1948. Thanks to the efforts of his daughter, Heather, and the other Trustees, Archie’s legacy continues, with SCF now administering the funds to benefit the community for generations to come.

After a panel meeting held last month, 4 local groups were awarded grants:

• Broadway and Horton Cricket Club: £10,000 towards upgrading the clubhouse and creating new changing rooms for the women’s and girl’s teams
• Ilminster Bowling and Tennis Club: £5,000 towards new LED floodlights
• Ashill Village Hall: £5,200 to carry out external decorative works to the hall
• Ilminster Arts Centre at the Meeting House: £4,453 to install a new automated fire detection system.

Sean Boland, Programmes Manager at SCF, said: “We’re thrilled to be able to carry on the work of the Gooch Charitable Trust and support these essential local groups. These grants are just the beginning, and we look forward to helping even more groups in the area in the future.”

David Cook, Treasurer at Broadway and Horton Cricket Club, said: “We’re proud to serve as a community hub for Broadway, Horton, and surrounding villages, with over 150 playing members and nearly 100 social members. Thanks to the grant, we’re improving our facilities for women and girls, making the sport more accessible for everyone in the area.

“Cricket offers more than just physical benefits; it fosters teamwork, leadership, and mental resilience. We’ve seen young people thrive in this environment, growing as both athletes and people. We hope to inspire more young players to pursue their passion for cricket and achieve success both on and off the field.”

The Gooch Charitable Trust is Somerset Community Foundation’s 21st charitable trust transfer since establishing in 2002. Trust transfers make up 40% of the charity’s endowment with a value of £4.5 million.

Kelly Hall, Philanthropy Director at SCF, said: “We’re delighted to work in partnership with many local and national Charitable Trusts to support communities in Somerset. There are a number of ways in which we can support Trusts to make a difference in Somerset – from co-funding to taking on the management of the Trust.”

The Gooch Charitable Fund will continue its rolling programme of grants with the next round opening for applications in January 2025. Local groups based in Ilminster or the surrounding TA19 postcode, or those providing services to the area, are encouraged to apply.

If you are involved with a Charitable Trust and would like to learn more about the services Somerset Community Foundation can offer, visit their dedicated webpage for more information.

Somerset Community Foundation is a grant-making charity that helps build strong communities where everyone can thrive. They do this by funding local charities and facilitating local giving.

They provide simple, rewarding and impactful ways for donors to give locally, guided by research and their unrivalled local knowledge.

For small, local charities, community groups and social enterprises, they provide vital funding and support to help their organisations flourish. SCF provide over £4 million of funding to local groups every year.

By inspiring local giving and funding social action, they support local communities to drive change and realise their dreams.

Photo Caption: Group of club members outside Broadway and Horton Cricket Club, who recently received a £10,000 grant from Somerset Community Foundation.