At the end of a record year for the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Agricultural Society’s Student Support Fund some of the generous donors were invited to meet Show officials, including show Presidents Richard & Helen Curtis, at their recent council meeting.
Chairman of the Student Support Fund, Matthew Price, said: ” Our ability to support students entering vocational education and training in the land-based industries depends entirely on the generosity of private individuals; corporate sponsors; and other supportive community organisations. We have been able to say a big public thank you to the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Young Farmers Club and to the local church benefice both of whom have made very significant donations to our funds.”
“The Young Farmers have donated a sum more than £1800 which was part of the proceeds they raised by holding a very successful ‘After the Show Party’ on the showground in the member’s tent. The remainder of their profits are being divided between other charities supported by their club and also to bolster their own club funds.”
“The Church tent at the Gillingham & Shaftesbury show is a very long-established part of the show day attractions and has built a significant reputation over the years as somewhere for the public to go to rest their feet and to enjoy sumptuous homemade cakes and a cup of tea. Once again £750 from the Church tent profits have been generously donated to our Student Support Fund and we feel very privileged to be one of the charitable groups the Church support in this way.”
The Student Support Fund was launched in 2020 to help students entering education and / or vocational training in agriculture; horticulture and the wide range of other land-based subjects. For many students the associated costs of pursuing such education can represent a significant barrier especially as we experience the current cost of living crisis. For some it’s simply a matter of being able to afford the costs of travelling to and from their chosen place of Study which can be up to £1500 a year for some students in North Dorset travelling to e.g. Dorchester or further afield. For others it is a requirement of their course that they arrive equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment and clothing; or a lap top computer; or an expensive range of study and reference materials. Most applications are received directly from the students themselves but occasionally the Student Support Fund is approached by other agencies such as the Social Services. Applications open in the Spring of each year with full details available on the show’s website or by emailing us at studentsupport@gillinghamandshaftesburyshow.co.uk