Every now and then we note that a town or village community experiences the good fortune of receiving a financial bequest or legacy. Such acts of generosity are usually inspired in memory of someone who is sadly no longer with us but who in life made a lasting and positive contribution to the community.

Four years or so ago the townspeople of Newport became the recipients of such an act of generosity from the late Miss Margaret Diana Vaughan in memory of her father a former Mayor of the town, Alderman James Oliver Vaughan. Alderman Vaughan served as Mayor of Newport from 1920 to 1922. For many years he was a prominent senior Alderman within The Court Leet. He was also a leading member of the organisational project team that brought about the construction of Newport’s Memorial Hall and its subsequent opening in 1923.

The Alderman J.O. Vaughan Fund allows for the interest from the donated capital sum to be distributed to activity groups, organisations and or individuals located within the Civil Parish of Newport. The allocation of money from the fund to such local groups or individuals is decided upon by trustees appointed by the town’s Court Leet. In 2008, a total of over £2,800 from the fund was distributed to various individuals and activity groups from Newport.

Any organisation or individual resident within the Civil Parish of Newport wishing to apply for a financial grant from this fund are now invited to do so. Trust Fund forms of application are currently obtainable in writing to Mr. John Edwards, The Mayor of Newport, 12 Maes y Cnwce, Newport. Pembs SA42 0RS. All completed forms of application must be submitted to the Mayor by 5.0pm on Friday 24th April 2009.