Education grants on offer to teens

STOKE Golding teenagers looking to continue their studies can apply for a grant to help further their educational aims.

Applications are invited from young people in the village for small grants from the local Mistress Hester Hodges Foundation.

Bids need to be submitted by September 20 and the trustees will consider all those received at a meeting in October.

To be eligible the applicant must have attended St Margaret’s Primary for two years, be a resident of the village and be aged 16 or over and going into further education in the academic year starting September/October 2016.

The charity goes back to the foundation of the Free Grammar School in 1678 by Mistress Hester Hodges, an aunt of Sir Henry Firebrace, courtier to Charles I and Charles II, “to provide education in the principles of the Church of England”.

The present St Margaret’s School is a direct successor with changes due to Education Acts over the years.

Each year the Mistress Hester Hodges Foundation divides its income equally between the school and ex-pupils of the school taking up further education.

Application forms may be obtained from the village post office or from Anne Fullagar, 26 Wykin Lane, or by emailing annefullagar30@btinternet. com

Completed applications should be returned to Anne by September 20.

The trustees and organisation has a new chairman, Jean Buckby, who replaces Peter Summers on his retirement after working for the charity for 50 years.