21st April 2011

WEYMOUTH: Giving thanks for Sir Samuel

By Harry Walton

NEARLY three and half centuries of charity were celebrated in Weymouth with the annual Sir Samuel Mico commemoration service at St Mary’s Church.

Sir Samuel was a 17th century London merchant who bought the George Inn to stay at when he came to Weymouth to view the many ships he owned using the port.

He left the George in his will to the Sir Samuel Mico Trust set up to fund apprenticeships of children of widowed mothers in Weymouth and Melcombe Regis. Another trust was set up to provide a monthly pension for six people who had sailed before the mast.

The Mico Trust continues as part of 13 original charities which are now amalgamated under the titles of the Sir Samuel Mico & Sir Henry Edwards Charities, known as Weymouth Town Charities.

One of the charities dates back to 1595 while the Mico Trust continues to give pensions to a handful of seaman, with the apprenticeship trust now turned into an educational charity, helping young people aged 16-25 from the borough of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis.

Trust chairman Gary Hepburn said the 2011 service marked a fantastic year which saw more than 100 young people from the Weymouth and Portland area get financial assistance to help them to achieve a range of personal goals and ambitions.

He added: “These ranged from studying at university to undertaking more traditional apprenticeships and even those who are starting out in employment for the first time.”

During the service the Trust presented commemorative certificates to five young people from Budmouth Technology College who were first to participate when the new Sir Samuel Mico scholarships were launched jointly by the trust and college in 2010.

Beneficiaries joined trustees and Weymouth and Portland Mayor Paul Kimber when he led a rare parade of Weymouth and Portland’s ceremonial maces to the Ship Inn.

Councillor Kimber said: “The Sir Samuel Mico Trust is a fantastic organisation which is very important in the life and history of Weymouth.

Young people are the future and these charities help young people.”

Trustee Richard Shoulders said: “These new and exciting scholarships offer a wonderful opportunity for young students to experience their chosen vocations first hand but are by no means easy to achieve. In order to be successful students need to have applied in writing and passed a boardroom style interview. Sir Samuel Mico would be ever so proud of the way his legacy has continued to this day helping young people develop the skills and ambition they need to be successful in life”

• Weymouth Town Charities also administer the Edwards Homes on Boot Hill and James Street as well as Edwardsville in Rodwell Avenue, providing low cost accommodation for elderly Weymouth residents.

PICTURE: COMMEMORATION - Mace bearer Paul Whyte, Weymouth and Portland Mayor Paul Kimber and Serjeant at Mace Nigel Le Sueur inside St Mary's Church

WEYMOUTH: Giving thanks for Sir Samuel

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