Trust offers £25,000 for
CHARITIES and organisations in and around Maidstone are being offered the chance towin a £25,000 boost to help fund fu- ture projects and celebrate Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee. The Cobtree Charity Trust distributes about £150,000 each year, supporting more than 60 local organisations. But the trustees also make an annual award, which this year is called the Cobtree Jubilee 2012 Award, to help specific sizeable projects. These can be anything from
sports club changing rooms, Scout and Guide facilities, to a new church spire or kitchen. The cash can go to one major recipient or be shared. Last year’s winners were Maidstone Sea Cadets, Harriet- sham and Lenham Scouts and The Mote Cricket Club. Trust chairman Richard Cor-
ben said: “Times are tough for charities at the moment, with so many people chasing ever- diminishing reserves. “This award is to help one or
more local organisations who can demonstrate why they need a particular “lift”with a project.
Golfing challenge COBTREE Manor Park Golf Club is an 18-hole public pay- and-play course. Open Mon- day to Friday from dawn to dusk, it challenges players of all levels, with a number of surprises and obstacles, in- cluding tree-lined fairways, shrubs and bunkers. At 5,716 yards, it is a fairly
short course, leading to low- scoring rounds, but the haz- ards can catch even the best players unawares. Balls regularly go missing, particularly on the first three tees!
The scope is vast and all appli- cations will be carefully con- sidered by the trustees.” If you are involved with a
local organisation or charity that needs to raise a substantial sum, take advantage of this ex- cellent opportunity! The award, or awards, will go
to organisations with projects ready to start. Mr Corben said: “Applica-
tions must comply with the ob- jectives of the Cobtree Charity
Trust and are welcome from or- ganisationsworking to enhance the lives of those needing sup- port, for the benefit of the pub- lic or working to preserve the fabric of historic buildings.” To apply, send an email to
richardcorben@hotmail.co.uk, telling the trust about your or- ganisation, the work that you do and your plans – and how you would use the money. Applications should detail the work or project planned in
some detail, with a financial plan and a copy of your annual report and accounts. Unregistered charities can
apply, but must demonstrate public benefit. Mr Corben said: “This is a
great opportunity for local or- ganisations and we look for- ward to receiving their applications.” The deadline for entries is
June 30 and the £25,000will be awarded in the Autumn.
Grant a lifeline
to sea cadets THE success story of Maidstone Sea Cadets shows just how valu- able a Cobtree award can prove. Three years ago, the group
was facing closure with a dwin- dlingmembership of just half a dozen. This was mainly be- cause its base in Sheals Cres- cent was so poor, no training could take place. But the £10,000 grant from
the Cobtree Manor Trust two years ago has proved a lifeline. It paid for a complete refur- bishment and upgrade, which included refitting a new galley. The group now trains about
40 sea cadets, which won the organisation an award from HMS Bedouin for the highest number in the South East. “The money has transformed
£10,000 gift secures future of cricket club building Charity representatives receive their cheques from the thenMayor ofMaidstone, Eric Hotson in 2010
THE Mote Cricket Club re- ceived a £10,000 award from the trust in 2010 towards restoration of the 100-year-old Tabernacle (right), which had fallen into serious disrepair. With the help of additional grants, the club has now se- cured the structure with roof and wall renovations. “Without this significant help
from the trust this iconic build- ing could have been lost to Maidstone forever,” said Dennis Fowle, chairman of The Mote
22 Malling
the first Lord Bearsted, the then owner of both Mote Park and the sports ground, for his per- sonal use and changing room when he played cricket. The renovated Tabernacle is
CC Development Committee. Now the club has applied for
a further grant from Sport Eng- land to renew the interior of the Tabernacle and create a centre for Maidstone youth sport. The Tabernacle was built by
the first step in major improve- ments the club hopes to make over the next two years. The most significant aim is to build a new pavilion on the site of the deteriorating pavilion, with sports catered for on the ground floor and social events on the floor above.
the cadets,” said John Taylor, vice-chairman of the group. “It has been a complete story of success and Cobtree Trust has been instrumental in enabling that to happen.”
Scouts home and dry THE roof of the headquarters of Harrietsham and Lenham Scouts used to leak so badly you could see daylight through it. But a £5,000 grant from the Cobtree Trust in 2010 provided the answer. Group Scout leader Eric Seales said: “We now have a brand new roof which would not have happenedwithout the money from the Cobtree Trust. Our Scout group is eternally grateful to the trust.”
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