The Swans Trust (Shaftesbury) Ltd

Charity Number 1063757

The town’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.

Projects

Individual projects range from environmental improvements to developing a credit union, or just bringing people together in enjoyable or learning activities

Some past projects

• Community play 2000
• Holt Millenium Green
• Shaftesbury Online
• What’s on leaflets
• Arts and Craft Festival
• Swans Yard

Current projects

• Credit Union study
• “Hangings” heritage project
• Swans Yard
• Community Office
• Town web site with the Task Force & LA Marketing and Design
• Contact magazine
• Shaftesbury Local Food Festival

Nearly all the projects are run by volunteers but we rely on our local authorities and grant aiding bodies to fund the necessary back up and administrative costs.

The Trustees

• Rachel Caldwell (Assistant treasurer)
• Tamara Essex
• DCllr. Mervyn Jeffery (Vice Chairman)
• Anne Kirkpatrick (Chairman)
• John Parker MLI
• David Preston
• Jenny Parker

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.

Three years on the project is 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

Monday to Friday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Saturday 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

(Always provided the volunteers can make it!)

Would you like to join us? (Over 700 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.) However 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.

Where to contact us

Address:
Swans Trust,
Swans Yard,
The High Street,
Shaftesbury,
Dorset.
SP7 8JQ

Tel: 01747 850944
Email: swanstrust@shaftesburydorset.com

Yard manager: Dave Martin

Office assistant: Chris Neun