Following the tragic death of Francis Wilson of Aughton in 1982, his will revealed that he had made provisions for a trust to be established and overseen, the trustees of which would then consider the giving of grants of money towards a variety of specified causes and bodies as and when they think fit. Three trustees have responsibility for the administration of the fund, the incumbent vicar of our parish, a Marlborough solicitor and an appointee nominated by the Parish Council ,with the proviso that he or she must be a likely long term resident of the community.
The organisations and interests, as stated in the will, for which grants may be considered are as follows.......
1. To Medical and Psychiatric research and in particular to disorders of the heart, brain, sight, hearing and cancer.
2. Locally in the civil parish of Collingbourne Kingston for the benefit of the church, the old and infirm but I specifically desire that such monies shall not be used to make up any deficiency in funds for normal day to day expenses of the church.
3. For local social sporting and youth organisations in Collingbourne Kingston but including hereunder the Burbage Minor Football League and the Collingbourne Kingston Village Hall.
Since its founding the trust has made many grants, under the provisions of the will,and recipients include the Village Hall, some œ4000 towards its extension and fire damage repairs, some œ7000 to the millennium playground project, to the church at times for the repair of windows, the electrification of the tower clock etc., and in addition the Scouts, Guides, Brownies, Youth Club, the Playgroup and Mothers and Toddlers have also all benefited from the trust.
It is an indication of the generosity and attachment to place felt by him that the fund, as established, represented the entire residue of the testator's estate with the exception of a sum he dedicated for the beautiful window in the north side of the church chancel in memory of his parents.
