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James Marshall Foundation 300th Anniversary Concert

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Charity celebrates outstanding landmark of 300 years supporting local young people in education and career development opportunities.

Last week in St Helen's Church, Wheathampstead, a swath of the local community came together to celebrate the 300th Anniversary of the James Marshall Foundation (JMF).

300 years ago, a local land owner, James Marshall, left a remarkable gift in his Will, creating a charity that would support young people in Harpenden and Wheathampstead to gain and retain employment. That charity, James Marshall Foundation, continues today to award grants to young people under 25 years in financial need, to access education and career development opportunities.

JMF has an annual grant fund of £250k which is generated from its asset base, and around 500 grants are awarded every year. The charity expanded its catchment area in late 2021 to include Kimpton, Redbourn, Markyate and Flamstead where the young people have close links with the original catchment area.

Anniversary Concert

2022 is an amazing landmark for the foundation -  300 years supporting local young people - and the charity celebrated with an Anniversary Concert on Thursday 23rd June.

The concert brought together past and present supporters and of the charity, 6 local schools whose pupils have been supported by JMF, and local community leaders including Robert Voss CBE CTsJ, Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire and the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire.

Held at St Helen's Church, Wheathampstead where James Marshalls' gravestone resides, Reverend Richard Banham opened the concert by welcoming everyone gathered, followed by JMF’s Chair of Trustees, Jonathan Finch, who provided introductory remarks and thanked the people who had been involved over the years together with supporters and beneficiaries of the lasting legacy.

Pupils from St George's School, Sir John Lawes School, Roundwood Park School, Katherine Warington School and Beech Hyde Primary School and Nursery treated those attending to incredible musical performances and examples and recollections of JMF’s support were read out by students from St Helen's Church of England Primary School.  Claire Robins OBE, Executive Headteacher at Sir John Lawes School, spoke about the impact JMF has had on so many local young people over the years. Keith Andrews, JMF’s Vice Chair of Trustees, provided a summary of JMF today.

At the end of the concert a cake was cut by the Lord-Lieutenant and everyone toasted James Marshall. It was a fitting tribute to James Marshall and his legacy.

Can James Marshall Foundation help you?

The journey through education and into work can be an expensive time.  If you need financial support for education or career development opportunities, we may be able to help.

–         Equipment and travel for work/apprenticeships

–         Further education courses

–         Apprenticeships/College/University costs

–         Extra-Curricular activities: sport, music, creative arts

–         Scouts/Guides and Duke of Edinburgh Award

–         Laptops and printers

–         Residential school trips

–         School uniform

The application form can be found on JMF’s website: www.jamesmarshallfoundation.co.uk.

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 01582 760735

“I work in a Harpenden School and I can’t tell you how brilliant JMF are – they look to help as many people as they can – dealing with each case on an individual basis and their kindness and compassion is first class”


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