Fears over Marr Trust bursary money

Troon students face an anxious wait this week to see if an annual bursary from the C K Marr legacy is paid. Cheques for £ 450 have been issued to dozens of students by the Marr Trust. But sources say “fingers are crossed” that they don’t bounce.

We can reveal problems with the Trust’s bankers have caused chaos for the past three months.

And that the administrators of the trust are at the end of their patience with their banker.

Ironically next month marks the centenary of the death of Charles Marr. A letter to students was sent by lawyer David Stewart who acts as Clerk to the Trust Governors.

A cheque was enclosed for the bursary, which helps Troon scholars with course costs.

And the last paragraph reads: “Please note that the Trust has recently experienced difficulty in the operation of its bank account.

“If there are problems over clearance of your bursary cheque, please contact me about this.”

When contacted this week Mr Stewart said he preferred not to elaborate further.

But a parent said: “There is no question the Trust does not have the funds. “This is being caused by simple mistakes with the bank, which appears to be suffering after staff reductions. “It has got to the fingers crossed stage that these cheques will actually clear. “A lot of the students rely on this annual cheque at this time of year and can be the difference of having money for Christmas or not. “I am told there should not be a problem, but the proof will be in the pudding.

“I think it’s time they changed their bankers.”

Mr Marr was a Troon born coal tycoon who made his fortune in London. He died childless in 1919 and left £ 331,000 to educate the people of Troon. His legacy to Troon was the equivalent of about £ 16.5 million in today’s mone. The school and its 55 acre site cost around £ 204,000. Since then the trust has funded bursaries and the Marr Centre in the town.