THIS WEEKEND (29th January 2006) sees the second anniversary of the death of the late Mr Len Pick, retired successful local farmer and businessman, who left the balance of his estate to the charitable trust which bears his name for the general benefit of the people of Bourne.

Mr Pick, who lived in the town all his life, was a well known and respected farmer and potato merchant who also had a strong sense of community and civic duty. During his lifetime, many organisations experienced his quiet philanthropy. Having himself benefited from the growth of the town, he resolved before his death that he would ensure that his debt to the town that he loved would be fully repaid in a very tangible fashion by setting up the charitable trust.

It was launched in September 2005 at a public meeting in the Corn Exchange, Bourne, where the policies and workings were explained to an audience of representatives of local charitable and voluntary organisations. It will ensure that his memory is perpetuated and with assets in excess of £4,000,000.00 (four million pounds) produce tangible benefits for the local community.

Local organisations have already benefited. A grant made to Bourne Town Juniors Football Club has helped it provide a further pitch to cater for a growing membership. Other awards include a grant to Bourne Hockey Club to expand its activities and to offer further inclusivity to local schools, the purchase of two laptop computers to help Bourne Citizens Advice Bureau improve its well regarded advice services to the local community and a grant to Bourne Civic Society has enabled work to progress on a project relating to the commemoration of the celebrated Bourne couturier, Charles Worth.

The trustees are currently in discussion with a number of other local voluntary and service organisations to address needs within the area of benefit. Trust co-ordinator Adrian Smith said: "The trustees expect that these discussions will lead to a focussed and targeted deployment of our income for the general benefit of the townspeople of Bourne in accordance with the terms of our trust deed”.

The trust is also now actively seeking two additional trustees to help with its growth and current work. Further information and an application form can be found on the Len Pick web site. Adrian Smith said: "The trust is in perpetuity and now the work involved in setting up the mechanism has largely been completed, the trustees feel that it is essential that members of the local community have the opportunity of being involved in the decision making process to further enhance its transparency and also to ensure that it is fully reflective of the aspirations of the community”.

Organisations within the area that are providing a community benefit should also visit our web site where full information concerning the aims and objects of the trust are available together with grant application criteria and additional material information relating to our role.

For further information contact:
Adrian Smith - Trust Co-ordinator
Telephone: 01778 424159
Mobile: 07860 519581

See also The Len Pick Trust web site