Community Fund Update, Newsletter, March 2020: Increased Demand for Support

The Community Fund committee has welcomed two new members, Emma Deutrom and Jim McGown. The Fund is seeing increased demand for support from the Fund and its January meeting had the second record number of applications submitted; 10 new grants were made to a range of community groups in Harpenden.  

Ongoing support was provided for Young Enterprise, a programme where students set up and run a business, both St John Lawes and Roundwood schools participating. The Lions Club also run a programme in schools, teaching valuable life skills which the committee considered worthy of support. Demonstrating the range of support provided, the Fund also agreed a grant to Musical Memories who provide singing therapy to dementia sufferers in Harpenden. 

We are also delighted to learn that The Lea School were voted the best primary school in Harpenden, 6th in Hertfordshire and in the top 8% in the country. The Community Fund had provided a grant to provide additional learning space for Year 6 students to study for their SATs and the headteacher felt that this facility had contributed to the overall excellent performance of the school, especially as the pupils prepared for their tests.

07 March 2020

In Other News

Harpenden Trust Seniors Fair – 1st April 2026 - Rothamsted Park

11 March 2026
The Harpenden Trust Seniors Fair will take place on Wednesday, 1st April from 10:30am to 1:00pm at the Eric Morecambe Centre in Rothamsted Park.   Over 40 exhibitors will be there - a mix of voluntary and commercial organisations and charities offering a range of support and social activities.  Everyone is welcome – come and discover what is available for yourself or a family member or friend. In addition, the Harpenden Museum, run by Harpenden & District Local History Society will…
More

The First Blue Plaque in Harpenden

11 March 2026
Steve Pryor the Chair of the Community Fund of the Harpenden Trust was delighted to be invited to the unveiling of the first blue plaque in Harpenden. The blue plaque was installed to acknowledge the tremendous work carried out by Harpenden resident Judy Fryd. Judy had a daughter who suffered from learning disabilities and in 1946 founded an association that would provide help for children suffering from the same problems as her daughter. This association became the Royal Mencap Society…
More

New Support Pod for Harpenden Mencap - supported by the Harpenden Trust Community Fund

04 March 2026
Harpenden Mencap is an independent charity caring for adults with learning disabilities in Harpenden and the local area. Founded in 1959, the charity provides accommodation-based support to a thriving community of 33 adults and offers wellbeing-focused activities through its Britannia and Allotment Clubs, benefiting over 50 people in total.  The 24 hour support Harpenden Mencap provides is enhanced by the recent provision of a new Support Pod.  The Support Pod in Batford is now complete - this new building provides a…
More

Community Fund contributes to the installation of a garden ramp at Homedell House

16 December 2025
Homedell House is a well established Retirement Housing Complex in Harpenden where some of the residents are disabled and getting into the garden has proven difficult. The Community Fund are delighted to have provided a grant contributing towards the installation of a ramp into the garden making access that much easier. It is now regularly used and Mary Moynihan, Development Manager at Homedell House confirms 'the residents all love the ramp and thank you again for the Harpenden Trust contribution'.
More