Town Talk


THE Godden's Charity is very old – and strictly local. It was founded in the 1600s and serves only Snodland and Birling. It was created by Edward God-


den, a prosperous “Citizen and Haberdasher of London”, who, in his will of February 8, 1662, made provision for children born in the parish to be apprenticed “to some honest trade or call- ing”. The charity was financed


through income derived from20 acres in Ivychurch. Today, school leavers aged 16


to 21 need only have lived in the parish five years to qualify. Secretary of the charity trust,


Jerry Hayes, of Dowling Close, Snodland said: “Our main source of income is still rent from land on Romney Marsh, which has been farmed by the same family since 1883.


Goddens Charity secretary Jerry Hayes and Birling trustee Jo Crittall “We also receive interest and


dividends from our investments and occasional generous dona-


tions from local businesses, clubs and individuals.” Jerry has been secretary since


Local news for Snodland and Halling Helping young to prosper


1999. He took over from Nor- man Taylor, who held the posi- tion for 54 years. Both Norman and Edward Godden are com- memorated in road names on Snodland’s Rookery Hill estate. The size of the individual


grants, when the charity was first launched, was £5; today it de- pends on the money available and the number of applicants, but is normally in the region of £200. Applications should be made


by letter and include details of age, previous education, time lived in Snodland or Birling, the course or apprenticeship to be followed and, if successful, what the grant would be spent on. They should be sent to Jerry


Hayes, Godden's Trust, 2 Dowl- ing Close, Snodland, ME6 5PF, and include a telephone number and/or email address.


Money helpedme to buy books


“I DIDN’T know about Godden’s Charity duringmy first year. How- ever, when I reached the second year, I applied for some help from the trust. I was accepted and was sent £250. “It was a life-saver. With this


Now I can give


something back “I’M studying for my final exams during the fourth year ofmy phar- macy masters degree and have been lucky enough to receive help through theGodden’sGrant for the last three years. “I have used the money to buy


text books, which will also be of use as I progress inmy career as a pharmacist. I’mgrateful to have been given this chance and am looking forward to giving back to the community when I finally qualify. “Being a student is stressful


enough, without having to worry about money and, with the gov- ernment no longer giving out grants, this opportunity is not one that should be passed up. “It doesn't take five minutes to


write a letter explaining your situ- ation and the board is full of lovely peoplewhowant to see our com- munity flourish, so it’s certainly worth taking the time to apply.” Ellie Foreman, Dryland Road


money, I was able to buy a variety of books to help with my studies, which I would not have been able to afford otherwise. “As I went into third year at uni-


versity, I was approached by God- den’s again to see if Iwould like to apply for another grant – all I had to do was talk about my results from the previous year and how themoney had helpedme.


“I applied again and got ac-


cepted for a second time. I was over themoon. This enabledme to buy even more books to help with my assignments and my under- standing of the subjects that I would be teaching in the class- room. “I am due to graduate this sum-


mer and I plan on taking the books I boughtwith themoney I received intomy classroomto helpme con- tinue to develop and learn as a teacher. “I am very grateful to the trust


for all the help and support it gave me.” Lucy Foster, Brook Street


So grateful for help


“I WAS just a few months away from starting my course at university to become a nurse when I heard about Godden's Charity and the opportunity they could provide me. "I wrote a couple of paragraphs to the trust, speaking


about my plans for university and my wishes for the future. "A few weeks later, I heard back and, with amazement, they


were able to help me with funds towards my university course. Thismoney went towards books, stationery and var- ious bits – this made the world of difference as a university student. “I was, and am, so grateful for what the Godden's Charity


has helped me achieve. “Now, three years down the line, I am a fully-qualified car-


diac nurse working in an amazing London hospital, and I could not be more thankful to those who helped me along the way." Hannah Long, Church Field


Godden’s legacy SNODLAND Historical Society says Edward Godden – the son of a farmer at Paddlesworth – never forgot the village where he was born. Baptised in the parish on Jan-


uary 13, 1600, he created a char- ity for local children that has thrived for more than 300 years. Historical documents reveal:


“He established a charity by his will dated February 8, 1662, in which he devised 20 acres in Ivy- church to Brett Netter and his heirs to the intent that they should pay yearly to the church wardens and overseers of Snod- land £10 on trust with £5 thereof to put forth one poor child male or female apprentice to some honest trade or calling.”


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