A SHAFTESBURY charity has helped a number of town causes in 2023, its AGM was told.

The Swans Trust, which has offices in Swans Yard, held its Annual General Meeting on Thursday, November 16 at The Arts Centre.

The chair and honorary treasurer updated members on the strong financial position of the trust and the numerous projects that have been supported throughout the year.

Notable investments include the on-going defibrillator installations. Future sites are under discussion and the Trust invites property owners in prominent locations to contact them as the plan is to provide as wide a coverage of accessible 24/7 units across the town.

Planet Shaftsbury, an environmental group, has been supported with a prime location notice board.

Meanwhile, a multi-year bursary has been provided to TLW Dance Foundation to run outreach dance classes in some Shaftesbury primary schools for children from underprivileged backgrounds who would not be able to afford the dance tuition fees.

This has provided a spin-off, in that the studio was instrumental in inviting the Kiev Ballet to perform locally.

As part of the trust’s community development support, it provided significant funding for a Queen’s Jubilee Concert on the East of Shaftesbury.

And the Shaftesbury Citizen Advice Bureau was supported with the gift of a new computer and printer/scanner.

The trust is always looking to recruit new trustees and to hear from those who have a community development project they would like assistance and funding support for.

It can be contacted at Swans Trust, Swans Yard, High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 8JQ.