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Swans Trust is Shaftesbury’s development trust set up in 1997 to promote and develop the community and facilities of Shaftesbury. The Trustees are all local people who volunteer their time and skills to work in partnership with the local authorities and others for the benefit of the community. The Trustees DCllr. Mervyn Jeffery (Chairman) - Jenny Parker (Vice Chairman) - Rachel Caldwell (Assistant treasurer) - Tamara Essex - Anne Kirkpatrick - John Parker MLI - David Preston - Ruth Hughes - Zara McQueen The Swans Yard Named after a noted coaching inn that once stood on the site, it was an electricity substation and depot until 1996. Signpost Housing Association bought the site in 1999 and developed it in partnership with Swans Trust to provide 13 badly needed affordable homes, as well as the 5 retail units and a pedestrian link way between the High Street and Bell Street. Swans Trust took a 190 year lease in 2001 on the access and ground floor units to develop them as a craft centre, café and community office. The project is now an established and attractive part of the town but we are still working to put in better paving, more planting and further develop its crafts and heritage emphasis. Meanwhile our caretaker, Brian Neun, is frequently praised for his work in keeping the Yard clean and tidy. He regularly wins Shaftesbury in Bloom awards for his care of the summer bedding plants and hanging baskets.
The Archway Designed and built by local craftsmen, DaveTomlin and Andrew du Mont, it was put up by volunteers and opened in December 2003 by Lord Whitty. Funding came from: Age Concern, The Town Council, Trinity Trust and public donations The Community Office The office in Swans Yard provides a base for the Trust but also offers photocopying, computer access and other office services to the public at large. There is a part time manager and administrative assistant who are ably supported by a regular band of dedicated volunteers. Opening hours are Monday to Friday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Saturday 10:00 am to 1:00 pm Membership Would you like to join us? (Over 1000 Members Already!) Joining the Swans Trust only costs £1 for life membership which is first and foremost a commitment to our community. (You can also get a discount on photocopying etc.) We are always looking for new volunteers as the more we have the more we can do. As always, there are jobs to be done that just need time, fund raising and money. Even an hour or so a week can make all the difference. If you are new to the area, volunteering is an excellent way of getting to know people and enjoying the friendship of the town. Skills we could use Writing / editing - Typing - Filing and admin - Meeting and greeting - Public relations - Computer work Jobs you could do Grant applications - Collating information - Staffing the office - Project management and development - Project accounts and admin. Tel: 01747 850944 Email: swanstrust@shaftesburydorset.com Yard manager: Dave Martin Office assistant: Chris Neun |
