Changes at the top

We have a new President...

Teresa (Terry) Heritage has been elected President of the Harpenden Trust.  She succeeds Susan Fairbairn who has been our President for the past eight years.

Teresa has served the Trust as a non-executive director for eight years.  She brings to the role of President wide experience of the Harpenden community through her work as a Herts County Councillor and District Councillor.

'I am passionate about the community of Harpenden,' says Terry.  'During my tenure as a non-executive director of the Trust, I have been overwhelmed by the amount of caring and compassion shown by so many residents and I am privileged to become President.'

'During the last four years I have co-founded two community projects - Southdown Play Areas Working Group and The Harpenden Hopper (the community bus) - and it was the Trust who provided mentoring and funding to get these projects off the ground.'

We are pleased to add that our retiring President, whose father was Founding President in 1948, is stepping down in title only.  Susan Fairbairn will still represent the Trust at functions and events, give talks about the Trust to local organisations and attend meetings of Trust teams.  In recognition of her continuing and much valued work she has been given the title of President Emeritus.

...and a change of Chairman

The role of Trust Chairman has changed hands too.  Graham Westwell, who has held the post for the past four years, has retired though he will remain an executive director until the Trust's AGM in October.

During Graham's tenure the Trust has taken a more proactive role in the community, encouraged the development of closer links with other organisations, participated in two Town Mayor's charitable years of events and seen grants from the Community Fund rise markedly.

At the same time he has overseen an increase in the Care Fund's spend on individuals and families.  Much of this stems from his achievements while chairman of the Christmas Appeal.  In the twelve years since he took on that role the amount raised each year has risen from £12,000 in 2005 to a remarkable £50,000 in 2016.

Graham's successor is Cedric Kennedy, who joined the Trust's board as a non-executive director in 2015.  A long-time resident of Harpenden, Cedric spent his working life in the City and is married to Lynn.  He is a past-president of Harpenden Village Rotary Club, where he is still active, and he also has a role at the District level of Rotary.  He will take up his new post on 31st March 2017.

31 October 2019

In Other News

Thank you to the Hertfordshire Chamber Orchestra

02 October 2025
A huge thank you to the Hertfordshire Chamber Orchestra who performed at St Nicholas Church, Harpenden on Saturday 13th September. A fantastic total of just under £1000 was raised and donated to the Harpenden Trust. Richard Nichols, Harpenden Trust Chair, spoke in the interval to thank everyone involved and to give an overview of the Harpenden Trust and the many ways in which it continues to support the local community.
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Hornbeam Wood Hedgehog Sanctuary and the Harpenden Trust Community Fund

30 September 2025
Hornbeam Wood Hedgehog Sanctuary is a very successful local charity who rescue and rehabilitate sick, injured and orphaned hedgehogs from Harpenden and surrounding villages that are then released back into the wild.  Hedgehogs are on the list of endangered species.  They also run a range of outreach and educational activities for the local community, focusing on schools, childrens groups and local environmental and wildlife groups. The charity has been running for 10 years and during that time has seen a…
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New Volunteering Opportunity at the Harpenden Trust

21 September 2025
We are looking for a new team member to join our Home Visiting team.  Please see the advert above for more details.  To view all of our current volunteering posts, please click here.  We also welcome enquiries from anyone thinking of volunteering and wanting to learn more about the variety of opportunities at the Trust.  
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Hertfordshire Chamber Orchestra Concert - Saturday 13 September 2025 at 7.30pm

01 September 2025
The Hertfordshire Chamber Orchestra is proud to present a concert on Saturday 13th September at 7.30pm at St Nicholas Church. All proceeds will go to the Harpenden Trust. Tickets are available in advance from the Harpenden Trust Office at 90 Southdown Road, weekdays between 10:00am and 12:00, or on the door at the concert. Tickets £20, Concessions 60+ £15, under 18s free. Refreshments will be available. Last year over £1300 was raised for the Trust at this event and we hope this year will…
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