An invitation for local organisations and groups to submit applications to the Mary Hignett Bequest Fund has produced no interest this year.
Funded by the bequest of the local author and naturalist, the Mary Hignett Bequest Fund is administered by the Rotary Club of Oswestry who under the terms of her will carry out Mary Hignett’s wishes and support local projects for the arts and sports.
In what is an annual cycle, applications must be received by the advertised date – this year November 22nd. The Fund’s secretary Graham Moss is surprised. “Normally we have received a good number of applications by now. This year we have been waiting for them to arrive in our Inbox but as yet we are still waiting!”
Projects that have benefited include Oswestry’s parkrun, The Porthywaen Silver Band, Llanymynech Bowling Club and Pant Memorial Hall’s remarkable ceramic wall installation to mark the centenary of the Great War Armistice. Graham adds: “In previous years we have been able to support a wide variety of projects from gas boiler replacements for drama rehearsal rooms, to village hall tables, an Artist In Residence for Oswestry Makes and poetry workshops for the Wilfred Owen Festival but this year no group has applied for assistance.”
Pat Edwards of the Welshpool Poetry Festival has seen her group benefit from the help of the Fund and says that the Fund is “highly recommended as a supportive and generous sponsor of the arts. The application process is refreshingly uncomplicated. What have you got to lose?” and she encourages other groups to apply.
For any local sports or arts groups that need financial support for a project – not just running costs – go to www.oswestryrotaryclub.co.uk, download the application forms and guidance notes, complete the application and return it by email to rotarycluboswestry@gmail.com. But they must hurry as they only have until November 22nd!
