Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust received a £10,000 grant, which will be matched by the Heritage Lottery Catalyst Endowment Challenge.

Juliette Randall, Chief Executive of the Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust, said, “The Merchant Venturers’ donation has effectively acted as a launch pad for our giving campaign. This is a hugely significant step in ensuring Arnos Vale is kept safe forever.”

£2,000 was awarded to Acta, which offers drama workshops to people who are vulnerable or isolated. The grant will support the ‘Tell me a Story’ project, which helps older people living in sheltered accommodation share and develop stories with primary school children. The two age groups then work together to create an original performance based on their stories.  

Development officer Lucy Hunt said, “The Tell Me a Story project really helps increase the confidence and esteem in both the older and younger generation. It gets those in residential care out of their house and into the community and helps them to get to know the younger generation. We’re very grateful to the Merchant Venturers for this donation which will effectively enable us to carry out the project.”

Drake Music, which enables and encourages disabled people to learn and play music, also received a grant of £2,000. This will contribute to a project that will culminate in a performance by participants at the Colston Hall. “This grant is fantastic news,” said Anna MacGregor, Drake’s Regional Programme Manager. “This isn’t something we’ve been able to do before. The great thing about this project is our participants are going to be included in a performance environment as well as given the opportunity to make friends.”

A grant of £1,000 was gifted to Golden Agers, a volunteer-run service that offers friendship, stimulation and nutrition to the elderly.

The Homeless Charity Shelter and the British Red Cross also received grants of £1,000. Shelter will use it for the Bristol hardship fund, while the Red Cross will use its grant for the delivery of the Medical Equipment Service in Bristol in 2013.

Further organisations receiving grants or pledges for funds were: The Downs Playground, Bristol Open Doors Day, Bristol Initiative Charitable Trust, Hillfields Park Baptist Church, Holy Trinity Church Stapleton, Paul’s place, St Paul’s Carnival and the Quartet Community Foundation.

The school has become an academy to help drive forward improvement, in particular increasing the number of children achieving target standards in English and Maths by the age of 11.

The Merchant Venturers now sponsor five academies in Bristol, including the Merchants’ Academy in Withywood and Colston’s Girls’ School on Cheltenham Road; the former in partnership with the University of Bristol. As a sponsor, the Merchants are heavily involved in all aspects of their academies, with strong representation on the governing bodies. They also work closely with the Department of Education, Bristol City Council and the local community.

St Anne’s Park head teacher, Gareth Jones, said in a letter to parents: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the school and community and will see the arrival of many new opportunities for the children.”

Lesley Ann Jones, Executive Principal of the CGST, said: “Every child deserves a first class education and I am committed to providing this in all of the CGS Trust schools: Colston’s Girls’ School, the Dolphin School and the newest member of our family – The Kingfisher School.”

Master of the Society of Merchant Venturers, Peter Rilett, said: “This a great step forward for Colston’s Girls’ School Trust and I wish the children and staff at The Kingfisher School every success. We look forward to working together to drive attainment and further enable children to flourish academically and individually.”

Delivered by the University of the West of England, the Primary Transition programme will focus initially on primary school children at Merchants’ Academy, Bridge Learning Campus and Fair Furlong primary schools. A further six schools have also expressed interest in joining the programme.

Led by student ambassadors from UWE, the programme provides one to one and group activities for pupils in school Years 1-6 and includes a visit to the University Campus.  Ambassadors run workshops with primary school pupils to increase motivation and help raise their academic attainment in numeracy and literacy.

Children are also encouraged to participate in extra- curricular activities such as sport, music and drama. The programme also includes sessions at the participating schools and UWE for pupils and their parents to learn more about opportunities in Higher Education.

Merchants’ Academy pupil Callum Cording, aged 11, was part of a Year 6 group who attended one of the workshops held at UWE. He said of the experience, “It was an enjoyable day and the students made it fun. We did experiments which taught me new things that I’ve never done before. I would definitely think about going there so I could get a good job.”

Annette Osborne, vice principal of Merchants’ Academy Primary, said, “All of the Year 6 children who participated in the visit thoroughly enjoyed themselves. They returned to Merchants’ Academy full of enthusiasm and with raised aspirations”.

John Rushforth, Deputy Vice Chancellor at UWE Bristol, said, “This is a great initiative and it provides a good opportunity for our student ambassadors to get involved in a project that will have such a positive impact on pupils in local schools. We are always keen to become involved in projects that inspire younger learners to improve their motivation and the project is giving our students the chance to gain useful working experience that can only make a positive difference.”

As Chairman of the Merchants’ Youth Committee, Chris Curling said, “The Merchant Venturers take a broad approach to increasing the educational opportunities for young people in Bristol.

“Attitudes and aspirations can be shaped at a very young age, which is why we’re targeting primary school age children. As well as widening horizons and boosting esteem, it is hoped that the programme will inspire the children to see the benefit in attending university.

The Primary Transition initiative is aimed at younger children in order to introduce the idea of attending university, which in many cases is never considered at all.

A sense of aspiration is something that starts young, and helping children to see learning as something both enjoyable and worthwhile will certainly have an impact on their attitudes later in life. The inclusion of pupils’ parents will also make a great difference; their support and influence are critical in encouraging children’s ambitions.”

Launched last year, the bursary scheme rewards three locally-based students attending Bristol University’s Merchant Venturers’ School of Engineering, providing £500 per term for their first two years of study.  The bursaries are given to individuals who combine a passion for engineering with an aptitude for enterprise.

Colin Skellett, Chairman of the Society’s Education Committee said, “Our aim is to encourage the best potential students to study engineering at Bristol University and also to explore and develop their entrepreneurial skills.

“The Merchant Venturers School of Engineering has gone from strength to strength since its creation in 2006 and the calibre of entries last year was exceptional.  We are delighted to be offering this bursary to students again this year and look forward to receiving applications from budding engineers with a flair for their subject.”

The Merchant Venturers have been involved in education in Bristol for at least 400 years — archival records show that they were running a school for the children of mariners as early as 1595. This grew into the Bristol Trade School in the 18th century, which subsequently became the Merchant Venturers’ School and later the Merchant Venturers’ Technical College.

When Bristol University was granted its Charter in 1909 the engineering department of the Technical College became the University’s Faculty of Engineering.

To apply, each candidate is required to submit a 250 – 400 word summary on their enthusiasm for engineering and how they have demonstrated this both within and outside of their studies. Applications are also encouraged to include details of applicants’ entrepreneurial skills and instances in which they have put these to good use.

The Merchant Venturers’ School of Engineering consists of three departments – Electronic Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering Mathematics – and is world-renowned for its groundbreaking research which attracts millions of pounds in awards.

The deadline for submissions for the Merchant Venturers Bursary is 30^th April, and candidates should submit applications via the Bristol University’s Departmental website.

Peter Rilett, Master of the Society of Merchant Venturers

It is now almost five months since Charter Day and my becoming Master of the Merchant Venturers. It is a fascinating journey that is strengthening my understanding of the Society and my pride in all that it contributes to the community.

I believe that we need to work even harder in building understanding of the work that we do and the nature of our organisation amongst the community in our home city of Bristol.

We have much in common with the London Livery companies, who with great warmth include us in their fellowship. I have had the pleasure to visit a number of these remarkable institutions in recent months.

They, like us, have a heritage reaching back many centuries to a mediaeval craft or trade – they were once armourers, bakers, goldsmiths, weavers, haberdashers, salters…

We share with the City of London livery companies a long tradition of commitment and philanthropy – but good that is often done without any public awareness.

Also like our own Society, they have demonstrated an astonishing ability to reinvent themselves, whilst adhering to traditions that reach back centuries. For example, the Salters Company, who once held the charter to sell salt in the City of London, are now chemists. Their current Master, Sir John Holman is Professor in the Chemistry Department, University of York and Senior Fellow for Education at the Wellcome Trust. The Salters set GCSE and A-Level Chemistry papers.

Supporting education is rooted deep in many livery companies. They include 464 school or college governors amongst their number. Altogether they support 162 schools with some 105,000 students.

One pleasant surprise for me has been the affection with which London livery companies embrace the Merchant Venturers and the high regard they have, not only for our work, but also for Bristol. I have been approached by Past Masters of these grand London livery companies, who refer to visits to our Society as a highpoint of their year as Master.

Our support for an increasing number of local schools is respected. Our work providing care for older people is recognised as being innovative and highly effective. Bringing together a huge resource of committed, hard working individuals, the livery companies are valuable companions for us to exchange ideas and share experiences.

Invest in Bristol and Bath

Congratulations to the Local Enterprise Partnership for the launch of the new Investment Service for this region. This is providing real energy and collaboration across the region in attracting high value businesses. I understand that the launch at the leading international property show, MIPIM was a great success. I am sure that Merchants will support individually and collectively this drive to bring much needed new jobs to this city region.

Peter Rilett

Master of the Society of Merchant Venturers

Peter Rilett, Master of The Society of Merchant Venturers

I’d like to begin by wishing all visitors to The Master’s Voice a Happy New Year. I’m hopeful that 2013 will bring new direction and progress for Bristol.

The economic downturn has resulted in significant unemployment and there are areas of Bristol in which third generation unemployment is still accepted as an inevitable way of life. There is a real need for positive action, to create jobs and boost the local economy.

This is a very special moment for the city; it’s a critical time and the building blocks are in place to facilitate real change. Bristol now has a vocal champion – new Mayor George Ferguson will represent the city in a high profile way on both a regional and national scale. The West of England Local Enterprise Partnership has taken great strides in ensuring difficult pan-regional issues are tackled on a joined up basis, while the city’s Enterprise Zone plans to create a buzzing creative district, centred around Temple Meads.

There is a great opportunity for the Mayor, the LEP and the Enterprise Zone to work together, joining forces to attract vital resources and investment from Government, creating a new strategy and confidence for Bristol.

Plans for a Bristol stadium and renovations of the Colston Hall and Bristol Old Vic should boost the local construction sector, as well as making the city a more attractive prospect to investors, businesses and people looking to relocate.  The CBI recently recommended that the Government commit £1.5bn to drive forward major UK construction projects. If these plans move forward, it is vital that Bristol receive its share.

On a more personal note, the last few months, my first as Master of the Society, have certainly been busy. In December the Merchants’ Hall played host to three great Christmas carol recitals.  The first saw a choir from Colston’s Lower School entertain the residents of our Cote and Almshouses Charities; on the second occasion the Chamber Choir from Colston’s Girls’ School sang beautifully for members and guests of the Standing Committee. Finally, shortly before Christmas, the Merchants, families and staff, reinforced by mince pies and other refreshment, produced some hearty festive singing!

December also saw the Master’s traditional visit to the residents of Colston’s Almshouse on St Michael’s Hill where I and Sonia, together with the Treasurer, distributed Christmas gifts and brought with us some Christmas cheer. I was kept busy right up until Christmas Eve, when I was privileged to read a lesson on behalf of the Merchants for the Festival of Nine Lessons at Bristol Cathedral. The New Year brings with it the promise of further social and business events where I, as Master, have the honour of representing the Society and, for those events both in London and in other parts of the country, will continue to do all I can to promote our great City.

South Bristol Consortium for Young People received a grant of £15,000, to be delivered over three years. The Consortium will focus on the needs of vulnerable young people in the South Bristol area. A relatively new organisation, the funding will help to cover the Consortium’s set up costs.

Camilla Chandler-Mant, Manager at South Bristol Consortium for Young People said: “The members of South Bristol Consortium for Young People (SBCYP) are extremely grateful to the Merchant Venturers for providing them with start-up costs for the new organisation.

“The aim is that as many young people as possible have the opportunity to participate in activities that help them grow into happy and accomplished adults. The young people of South Bristol have told us themselves that they aspire to do well and have a voice that is heard. This grant will help make this happen and give SBCYP the capacity to grow into a flourishing organisation.”

A grant of £5,000 was awarded to Young Bristol, a charity offering the city’s young people a range of opportunities and experiences to help them realise their potential. The grant will be put towards the cost of funding a project in Stockwood.

Kate Gough, Director of Development at Young Bristol said: “Young Bristol is delighted to receive this grant from the Society of Merchant Venturers. This money will enable us to deliver an intergeneration project in Stockwood – bringing together local young and older people to develop a community project to address local issues. The project will be based at the St Silas (Stockwood) club for young people and work in partnership with LinkAge.”

Merchants’ Academy received a grant of £3,500 towards the cost of completing a walled garden within the Academy’s grounds. 

Jon Furber, Curriculum Leader BTEC Construction at Merchants’ Academy said:  “This wonderful support from the Merchants’ Youth Committee will mean that we can move towards the completion of our walled garden project. The funds will allow us to prepare the ground for both the raised beds and to lay the foundations for the brick paths. Students will soon be able to lay the bricks – donated by IBSTOCK at Cattybrook and collected by Churngold as a gift to us.”

First Story, a national organisation that arranges and pays for acclaimed authors to take up writers in residence posts in challenging state schools across the UK, was awarded £3,000. The money will be used to fund writers in residence in disadvantaged areas around Bristol.

£2,500 was awarded to Travelling Light, a Bristol-based theatre company producing drama specifically for young audiences. Travelling Light plan to use the grant to fund weekly youth theatre clubs at the Barton Hill Settlement.

Georgina Trevor, Young People’s Producer at Travelling Light said: “Travelling Light is thrilled to have received £2,500 from The Merchant Venturers. Travelling Light is dedicated to bringing theatre to young audiences and showing them that they too have the tools to make it. We believe in providing young people with opportunities to make their own work with support from leading theatre professionals. The kind grant from the Merchant Venturers will allow us to continue to run our Youth Theatre provision in Barton Hill for young people 7-19 over the summer term, providing them with a safe space to learn new skills, play and create theatre to share with their local community.”  

A grant of £2,000 was awarded to Bristol Playbus, a moving play centre aimed at 5-13 year olds. The Bristol Playbus provides a range of opportunities for children and families in disadvantaged or isolated communities including art activities, cooking and making and mixing music. The grant will be used to fund 20 sports sessions in Upper Horfield.

Salaam Shalom was awarded £2,000. Salaam Shalom is dedicated to building bridges between Muslim and Jewish communities via dialogue, education, media and creative arts. The £2,000 will help to cover the costs of the Proud2B project, which runs in primary schools. The project aims to widen pupils’ intercultural awareness as they move to secondary school, a vital stage in their development.

Grants of £1,000 were awarded to both Girlguiding Bristol & South Gloucestershire and Keynsham & District Mencap Society.

Girlguiding Bristol & South Gloucestershire will be putting the grant towards the completion of a new site at Briarlands.

Keynsham & District Mencap Society, an organisation that works to improve the lives and opportunities of children and adults with a wide range of learning disabilities, will be use the money to help cover the cost of two Juniors Clubs. 

A range of smaller grants were also issued by the Youth Committee to a further twelve local good causes and organisations including The City of Bristol Army Cadet Force, Air Training Corps (Bristol & Gloucestershire Wing), Avon Country Scout Council, Girl Guides, Avon Outward Bound Association, Avon Youth Association, Bristol Youth Offending Team, Bristol Children’s Help Society, Bristol Sea Cadet Corps, Fairbridge West, Colston’s Girls’ School, Lord Mayor’s Christmas Appeal for Children and Bristol University.

Peter Rilett, Master of the Society of Merchant Venturers

Having officially taken over the mantle as Master of the Society of Merchant Venturers on 12 November at Charter Day, this marks my first Master’s Voice blog. I plan to use this platform to offer a personal insight into my activities as Master, and to provide regular updates on the Society’s many charitable, educational and enterprise interests within the city.

The biggest event in the city in recent weeks has of course been the appointment of new Bristol Mayor George Ferguson. After a closely fought campaign, and a tense final straight, George emerged the winner. The Merchants would like to wish George every success in his new role; he has some difficult challenges ahead of him. It is essential that he seize this opportunity to provide the city with the new direction and progress it desperately needs.

Bristol needs to have the confidence to take a longer term view. There is much to be gained from making better, longer term strategic decisions to help the city tackle its areas of deprivation and the difficulties present in getting around what is a relatively small central area. Businesses also need to be encouraged in a much more positive way to make a commitment to Bristol on a long term basis.

Since the demise of the county of Avon in the 1990s, much has been said about the limitations of the city boundaries, which have no economic rationale. This places an imperative on engaging with neighbouring local authorities to tackle strategic issues in a joined up way. The work of Colin Skellett and the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership provides a model for how this can be produced.

The first big event in my own calendar as Master was, of course, Charter Day, which celebrates the Royal Charter granted to the Society by Edward VI in 1552. A service at Bristol Cathedral featuring the Merchants and the schools we sponsor marked the transfer of the torch from outgoing Master David Marsh, to me. In centuries old Charter Day tradition, Senior Warden Anthony Brown and I spent a happy time after the service handing out Mr Colston’s buns and ‘shillings’ to pupils.

In terms of my own objectives for my year as Master, education remains a key priority. I believe education, particularly schools within the primary sector, will continue to move away from local authority control. I believe all-through-academies will increase in number in the city, particularly in areas of social deprivation. Our own Gay Elms Primary School and Merchants’ Academy will hopefully prove a successful model that other partnerships can learn from.

I also have in mind that in 2015 the school leaving age rises to 18. Currently, in some areas of the city there is little expectation for post-16 education. There now needs to be provision.

As a final note, in one of my first duties as Master, I was invited by BBC Radio Bristol to take part in the ‘Show and Tell’ feature on Saturday 17 November, in which guests bring along an artefact to discuss. I took along an impressive silver jug from the Merchants’ archives, presented to Captain Hosken, the captain of the ss Great Western paddle steamer by grateful passengers for a safe passage to New York after a particularly stormy crossing. Hopefully a few of you caught the show; it was good to be able to talk about both the Society’s historical links and our current activities.

Peter Rilett

Master of the Society of Merchant Venturers

The Church Housing Trust is a national charity dedicated to raising funds to support homeless, vulnerable people and those in housing need. £3,500 was awarded to the Trust by the Appeals Committee, as a contribution to its welfare fund, providing welcome packs, individual courses and resettlement packs.

A grant of £3,000 was awarded to the Bristol & District Tranquiliser Project. A voluntary organisation based in Henleaze, the Bristol & District Tranquiliser Project helps people who are experiencing involuntary addiction to prescribed minor tranquillisers, sleeping pills and antidepressants.

The grant will contribute towards counselling services to help combat the dependency of significant numbers of the city’s elderly on prescribed psychosomatic drugs.

Hop, Skip & Jump South West, an organisation providing flexible, immediate and sustained day care for children with additional needs, received £2,500. The Kingswood-based centre will be using part of the grant to cover the cost of converting an upstairs area into a Parent Zone. The remainder of the grant will be put towards the centre’s running costs.

£2,000 was awarded to the West of England MS Therapy Centre in Bradley Stoke, to help cover running costs. The centre provides support and relief to people with Multiple Sclerosis and their supporters, via a range of therapies and self-help techniques.

National charity Blind Veterans UK, formerly St Dunstans, received a cash boost of £1,000. Established in 1915, Blind Veterans UK provides blind ex-servicemen and women with access to rehabilitation, training, long-term nursing and lifelong welfare support.

The grant will contribute towards the cost of providing specialist equipment to its Bristol beneficiaries.

Clevedon Pier and Heritage Trust received £750 towards the development of the Pier Visitors’ Centre. The centre will include an education room, underneath the pier looking out to sea, where visitors will have the opportunity to witness the world’s second highest tide.

A grant of £360 was awarded to Bravo Bristol, to cover the costs of producing a CD recording of the St George Singers 1914 Recruiting song. Proceeds from the sale of the CD will support both ‘Help for Heroes’ and the ‘Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum’.

Incoming and outgoing Masters of the Society Peter Rilett and David Marsh, with children from each of the Merchants’ sponsored schools

Peter Rilett has been named Master of the Society of Merchant Venturers, as part of the society’s historic Charter Day celebrations on 12 November.

The annual event commemorates the Royal Charter granted to the Society by Edward VI in 1552. It includes a ceremonial procession and service at Bristol Cathedral, attended by the Merchants and children from the three Merchant sponsored schools, Merchants’ Academy, Colston’s School and Colston’s Girls’ School.

Peter, a Merchant for seven years, has spent the majority of his working life driving forward Bristol’s dynamic professional services sector. Peter spent 33 years at accountants and business advisors KMPG, becoming senior partner in charge of the Bristol office and 400 employees.

Peter is becoming Master during a period of great change in the city. Peter said: “Bristol’s first elected Mayor is entering office on 15 November. I have followed the Mayoral race with interest and while there are undoubtedly difficult issues to face, the successful candidate must fully grasp this important opportunity to push Bristol forward and generate progress.”

Peter has identified education and the acquisition of workplace ready skills amongst Bristol’s young people as key priorities for the Society over the next 12 months.  “The Merchants are heavily involved in education in Bristol, supporting three secondary schools and welcoming two new primaries into the fold this year – the Dolphin School and Gay Elms Primary School.

“As education establishments continue to leave local authority control, I believe that all-through-academies will increase in number, particularly in areas of social deprivation. We are hopeful that Gay Elms and Merchants’ Academy, which merged to create an all-through-academy in September, will provide a successful reference point for future partnerships in the city.

“Unemployment in Bristol is also still a key issue. Over the next year, the Merchants will work to help tackle rising youth unemployment figures through our continued support for young people. It is essential that young people acquire the skills necessary to the modern workplace.

“A focus needs to be placed on employment in areas of the city in which third generation unemployment is still accepted as an inevitable way of life.”
Care for the elderly also remains high on the Merchants’ agenda for 2012. Peter said:

“There has been a recent shift towards extra care provision, a trend St Monica Trust has long been aware of. It is through St Monica’s, as well as the Cote and Almshouse charities, that the Society will focus its efforts in improving the city’s offering to older people in 2013.”

Since retiring from KPMG in 2005, Peter has taken on a raft of advisory positions including trustee of the Quartet Community Foundation, Chairman of the Board of North Bristol NHS Trust, Independent Director at Business West, Chairman of the Board of Governors at Bristol Grammar School and Trustee of St Monica Trust. Peter is also a Non Executive Director at Watts of Lydney and Board Advisor at Centaur Services.

David Marsh, Master of the Society of Merchant Venturers and the Princess Royal at Merchants' Hall

The Princess Royal visited the Merchants’ Hall in Clifton on 31 October, her first visit to the Hall since accepting honorary membership of the Society of Merchant Venturers earlier this year.

The Princess Royal is the tenth Member of the Royal Family to receive honorary membership, since a Royal Charter was granted to the Society from Edward VI in 1552. Previous members of the Royal Family to accept the honour include The Prince of Wales and The Duke of Edinburgh.

David Marsh, Master of the Society of Merchant Venturers, said: “The Society presented The Princess Royal with the freedom of the Society in April and it is a great honour to now welcome Her Royal Highness to Merchants’ Hall.

“Over the years, the Society has forged a number of Royal connections. The Princess is a particularly fitting recipient of honorary membership – Her Royal Highness’s values and extensive charity commitments are in keeping with the Merchants’ key objectives to enhance the quality of life for all. Indeed we were honoured by her presence last year when she officially opened one of our schools, Merchants’ Academy in Withywood”

The first Member of the Royal Family to accept honorary membership was Prince Frederick of Wales in 1738. Prince Frederick was the first of four Princes of Wales to accept the honour, followed by Prince George in 1807, Prince Edward in 1921 and Prince Charles in 1973.

The Duke of York was presented with honorary membership in 1762, while The Duke of Cumberland received the honour in 1803. The Duke of Cambridge was presented with the freedom of the Society in 1842, closely followed by Prince Albert in 1843. The Duke of Edinburgh accepted honorary membership in 1953, visiting the Hall in 2002 in recognition of the Society’s 450th year.

Leading Bristol businesses are encouraging employers and professionals from across the region to help “skill-up” the region’s school leavers by supporting the RSG Bristol Young Student of the Year Competition 2012.

Officially launching on October 10 with more than 18 schools and 35 teams already registered, the initiative has attracted significant backing from main sponsors, national recruitment organisation, Resource Solutions Group Plc.

Other supporters include The Society of Merchant Venturers, BPP University College and Veale Wasbrough Vizards.

Now in its second year, the competition, which is for 16-19 year olds, is free to enter and is open to all state schools, colleges and academies the in Bristol region. Organisers hope it will help address the rising number of unemployment in this age group in the local area.

The theme for this year’s competition is Bristol Young Futures which will materialise as an online portal, specifically for young people. The dedicated website will showcase a number of career opportunities available in the region.  Participants of the competition will each be given a real client from key industries in Bristol and will work with them to create a concept that feeds into the website.

The competition also provides a platform of opportunity for businesses in the region to build on their CSR initiatives.

Businesses can pledge their support in a number of ways including donating job placements and internships as well as providing cash prizes for team awards. Business professionals can also contribute their expertise to the competition by becoming official mentors to the students.

Mike Beesley, CEO of RSG, the competition’s headline sponsor for at least the next two years, said:

“As an organisation this is something we feel extremely strongly about. Whilst there is a lot of conversation around the future of university graduates, school leavers and those who may not get into university are being forgotten.

“It is not the education system’s job to make their students ‘work-place’ savvy, but as the head of a national recruitment organisation I see every day the significant lack of commercial awareness there is in young people and it causes me a great deal of concern about the future of our economy and for young people’s aspirations in general.

“This competition is a great place to start looking at how to address these issues. There is a fantastic sense of collaboration already around the project and I hope that through our ongoing involvement and commitment to it we can really make a difference both for students and business alike.”

Through collaboration with employers and their staff, the competition will work across five main sectors with one main company in each sector presenting a “business brief” that the youngsters will respond to.

Run over six months, the competition has three stages and presents students with the opportunity to win a life-changing £15,000 BPP scholarship alongside a number of other prizes.

The Society of Merchant Venturers has signed up to support the competition for the next three years. David Marsh, Master of The Society said: “Supporting young people and helping them find employment is something that businesses are perfectly placed to do – both in terms of access to advice and mentoring as well as actually providing jobs.

“It is also a great opportunity for businesses to experience the benefits that working alongside young, enthusiastic people can bring. This competition is a very practical and directed way of helping nurture talent and provide inspiration, so and we’re looking forwards to seeing what both the businesses and school teams will create.”

Elaine Brown, founder and director of The RSG Bristol Young Student of the Year said: “It is fantastic to see such enthusiasm and support for this year’s competition coming from some of the top companies and business people in this area.

“Last year’s competition was a great success so we already know how generous the business community in Bristol can be. We are really looking forward to working with organisations across all sectors and industries in Bristol who create real job opportunities for young people and are critical to the local economy.

“The overall aim is to bridge the gap between employers and young people in Bristol, helping kids make a difference to their futures. We can’t do this without the support of businesses.”

The official launch of the competition to schools will take place at Bristol City Football Club on 10th October between 13.30-16.30pm.
If you are a business who would like to get involved, please contact us: liz.gibbs@rsg-plc.com

David Marsh at Charter Day 2011

It is October, and my year as Master of the Society is drawing to a close. Charter Day and all of its great celebration is set to take place on Monday 12 November and will see the passing of the torch to incoming Master Peter Rilett.

Charter Day marks an important milestone in the history of the society, as it celebrates the Royal Charter granted to the Society by Edward VI in 1552.

It takes place each November, and involves a ceremonial procession at Bristol Cathedral – with all Merchants in morning dress. The service is attended by pupils from the three Merchant sponsored schools, Colston’s School, Colston’s Girls’ School and Merchants’ Academy. The two Wardens – Peter Rilett and Anthony Brown – will certainly be kept busy after the service, handing out Colston’s buns and coins to each pupil, a longstanding Charter Day tradition.

Many Bristol citizens participate in Doors Open Day in early September, and the opportunity to have a look inside Merchants’ Hall is very popular. We take about 24 parties of 25-30 viewers round the building, which of course forms a useful framework for giving the history of the Merchants. The Merchant volunteer guides work hard, but seem universally to enjoy the work, and to make the most of the need to learn all the facts before becoming guides.

Having attended a graduation ceremony at the University of Bristol in July, I was fairly startled by the amount of formality involved in the University of Bristol degree conferring ceremony. However, it makes good sense to celebrate such an important event, following so much hard work, in a manner which the graduates and their parents will remember. The Great Hall, under the Wills building, is certainly a magnificent setting.

As Master I am invited to attend some of the trustee meetings of St Monica’s Trust, although of course it is a separate and independent body. I much admire the energy and imagination which they put into new initiatives for care of the elderly. Recently they have started to build a new service providing care in your own home, enabling older people to stay at home longer.

This must be a good thing – in my experience most would much rather stay in their own home for as long as possible, provided they can receive the right sort of help, and of course it can be rather more economical for the client.

My year as Master has seen real progress towards a number of the Society’s long term goals. The Society’s great work in the city’s education sector over the past few years has started to pay dividends.

This summer’s exam results for the three Merchants’ schools were exemplary. Colston’s School remains one of the very top independent schools in Bristol, while Colston’s Girls’ School has maintained its exceptionally high standards since achieving academy status.

Merchants’ Academy put in a stellar performance, with the percentage of A*-C grades at GCSE climbing to 40 per cent. An astonishing feat considering the figure was languishing at 17 per cent just three years ago. The Society has every confidence that Merchants’ Academy will continue on its remarkable upward trajectory, continuing to strive for improvement and academic excellence. A number of pupils at all three schools gained straight A*s in their GCSE exams, a truly fantastic achievement.

Looking to the primary sector, 2013 looks set to be a fascinating year for the Society’s educational interests.

The Dolphin School, part of the Colston’s Girls’ School Trust, opened its doors in September and took on its first reception class. The Dolphin School was established in a bid to provide relief to East Bristol’s real shortage of primary school places.

A successful merger between Gay Elms Primary School and Merchants’ Academy in Withywood also began in September. Providing an excellent opportunity for the pupils of both schools, it is hoped the merger will help to ease the often difficult transitional period between primary and secondary education. As touched upon in August’s blog, this tricky transitional phase presents a real issue to education in the city.

Finally, Colston’s Lower School welcomed Stuart Smart as Head in September. Stuart Smart has 12 years experience teaching, most recently as Deputy Head at Gillingstool Primary School in Thornbury. We are certain Stuart will make an excellent addition to both the Colston’s and Merchants’ family.

Dedicated to promoting learning and the acquisition of skills in the greater Bristol area, the Merchants are proud to support the Awards, which aim to develop young peoples’ employability skills and furnish them with real business experience.

There are three stages to this year’s competition involving giving presentations on employability skills and working directly with a Bristol-based client to increase awareness of employment opportunities for young people within the client’s market sector. 42 student teams have entered this year’s competition so far, almost three times the total number in 2011.

David Marsh, Master of the Society of Merchant Venturers, said: “The Bristol Young Student of the Year Awards is, quite rightly, going from strength to strength and the Merchants are enormously proud to be offering our support.

“Lack of business experience and real workplace skills is a crucial issue among today’s young people. The job market is competitive and businesses are looking for candidates with real, hands on experience. The business understanding and confidence achieved through the Bristol Young Student of the Year Awards competition is invaluable.”

Our members have always been out and about in Bristol, helping to make things happen.

Over 25 years ago, Merchants took a leading role in setting up what is now the Quartet Community Foundation operating throughout what used to be Avon.  We provided seedcorn money, energy and enthusiasm to get it going. The Foundation now has over £16million and growing capital funds and makes grants of more than £2.5million each year out of its own income, and income entrusted to it for giving to charities.  Its reputation for identifying and monitoring the right local charities is secure, and it is a significant force for good in our sub-region.

Back in the spring, its current chairman, Merchant Stephen Parsons, organised a most enjoyable dinner at the Hall to celebrate the 25 years and to thank or pay tribute to many of those who had contributed to its success.

The power of seedcorn money, or pump-priming as it is sometimes called, can be enormous. Some years ago, Past Master Trevor Smallwood, with others, recognised that among the myriad of problems facing education in our city, and nationally, is the hiccup which children suffer on the move from primary to secondary school.  Experience suggested that the more disadvantaged the home background, the bigger the hiccup.  He enabled a substantial sum to be provided, through the Society, for  the Graduate Department of Education in the University of Bristol to undertake an extensive research project on the issues surrounding transition from primary to secondary education.  In turn this led to a programme, supported by the Quartet Community Foundation and the Society, to actively address these issues and its successful outcome has now generated a £300k Big Lottery grant for further work on what is now called the Stepping Up Project.

Our own close connection with the University of Bristol has been marked this year by the first of what we hope will be annual lectures, sponsored by us, in the Merchant Venturers’ School of Engineering – part of the Faculty of Engineering. The lecture, by a past graduate of the school Ben Morris, was on the subject on which he has made a huge name for himself – visual effects – and filled the Wills Memorial Hall with film enthusiasts. We were shown excerpts from films such as ‘Babe’, ‘Gladiator’, ‘Harry Potter’ on which he has worked.

Four Merchants are on the Council of the University and the Vice Chancellor, Professor Eric Thomas is himself a Merchant. He is currently half way through two hectic years as President of Universities UK, representing the interests of universities generally during what must be a turbulent period for them all.

And there’s more – we also have a close connection with Bristol’s University of the West of England. Vice Chancellor Steve West has recently spoken to our Quarterly Hall. Active links between UWE and our schools are being pursued and we are very keen to develop the connection further. Four Merchants are Governors of UWE, including Gillian Camm, the Chair.

Past Master Colin Skellett is chairman of the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership. The Partnership has had a quite remarkable success in getting our four unitary authorities to pull together, and consequently, in securing a ‘City Deal’ for Bristol City Region. Its headline talks of £1bn coming to the region from central government to develop infrastructure, new jobs, training, and to ensure that our strengths in media, electronics and digital, and engineering are exploited further. Provided the LEP continues its excellent work, and especially if the to-be-elected mayor can provide the leadership and influence in Whitehall, which we hope for, the news for Bristol will get even better.

As Master, I get around a great deal, particularly during the spring and early summer months, and it is great fun; among the events a farewell party for Goery Delacote in At-Bristol – another landmark which profited from early sponsorship by Merchants, a farewell church service in the Lord Mayor’s chapel, and tea-party with the outgoing Lord Mayor, Geoff Gallop, the Bath and West, and North Somerset Agricultural Shows both of which survived the weather, Merchants’ tours of our schools, and of the St Monica endowment’s agricultural estates and even a trip to Highgrove organised for spouses (there was one other bloke – Ollie Noel) by the Mistress. I regret I missed some Jubilee events, but it was good to watch the Olympic torch going past the Hall, with the Treasurer busy with his camera.

A break for August, and then I look forward to Bristol Doors Open Day at the beginning of September, and the autumn round, this year more than punctuated by a planned reception to welcome HRH the Princess Royal as an Honorary Member of the Society.

David Marsh, Master of the Society of Merchant Venturers

The Appeals Committee awarded seven grants totaling almost £16,500. Homestart Bristol and Southmead Community Sport were both awarded grants of £5,000.

Homestart Bristol, a charity supporting struggling families in Bristol and South Gloucestershire with at least one child under five, will be using the grant to provide trained volunteers to work directly with families.

Southmead Community Sport, set up by local volunteers in partnership with the council, will part fund a lighting system for an outdoor multi-use pitch.

Demonstrating the Merchants’ commitment to care for the elderly in greater Bristol, a grant of £2,000 was awarded to the Senior Citizen Liaison Team. The Senior Citizen Liaison Team was set up by volunteer officers to target offences against older people in the city and to reduce the impact of such offending on the senior population. The grant will cover the costs of printing an information magazine, to be distributed around Bishopsworth, highlighting the services of volunteer officers and the dangers of ‘distraction’ burglaries.

Sense, a charity supporting families affected by deafblindness, also received £2,000 to extend their current Kingswood building.

£1,500 was awarded to Changing Tunes, a national charity aiming to reduce reoffending through music. The Merchants’ grant will aid the rehabilitation of prisoners and ex-offenders living in Bristol.

Teenage Cancer Trust and Bristol Rotary Club received support for a fund raising Reception in Merchants’ Hall. Teenage Cancer Trust aims to raise funds, educate, and support teenagers fighting cancer.

The Youth Committee awarded £25,638 in grant funding to ten different local organisations and charities.

The University of the West of England received £10,440 over three years, to fund student mentors supporting primary school years 5 and 6 to transition into secondary education. The Committee recommended Gay Elms and four other Bristol primaries become involved in the scheme.
 
£4,100 was awarded to the Square Food Foundation Cookery School and Kitchen to fund a community food education course based at The Park. The course will teach entrepreneurship to young people based around the food business.

Gay Elms Primary School in Withywood received £2,750 to mark its forthcoming integration with Merchants’ Academy to become an All Age Academy.

A further grant of £2,000 each year over three years was awarded to Bristol Young Talent – which received £2,500 last November.

A grant of £1,348 was awarded to the Bristol Mother and Baby Unit to provide a range of child safety equipment.

The Committee awarded grants of £1,000 to Bristol Community FM, Hartcliffe and Withywood Angling Club, Life Cycle UK, Life Education Centre Bristol and Tall Ships Youth Trust.

Bristol Community FM, based in Lawrence Hill, will be putting the £1,000 towards the funding of project managers and mentors for young people to learn radio broadcasting skills to help promote racial harmony and tackle bullying and racism.

Hartcliffe and Withywood Angling Club will fund a Peer Education programme to encourage young people to take up angling as a hobby.

Life Cycle UK is a Bristol-based charity helping people to transform their lives through cycling. The charity will put the grant towards Bike Generation youth activity sessions targeting inner-city neighbourhoods.

Life Education Centre Bristol helps children make healthy choices by providing health and drug education programmes to primary-aged children in greater Bristol. The £1,000 will support the Centre’s working in partnership with schools.

Tall Ships Youth Trust is dedicated to the personal development of young people through the crewing of ocean going sail training vessels. The Trust will put the £1,000 towards bursary funding for six young people from Bristol to benefit from a residential voyage.

Henry and Sarah Keighley-Elstub (c) Simon Ridgway.

Gary Aldwell, Butler at Merchants’ Hall, has nineteen wedding ceremonies booked in for 2012 – twice as many as last year.

With ‘formal’ hailed by leading event designers as the wedding trend of 2012[1], this boom in bookings reflects the increasing number of brides planning grander, more traditional affairs.

One of the grandest venues in Bristol, the Merchants’ Hall has seen the likes of prime ministers, aristocracy and royalty grace the premises. The reception room houses a Steinway piano, gilt-framed paintings and antique furniture and the grand dining room opens on to landscaped gardens, making it the perfect backdrop for those all-important wedding photos. Couples can choose to hold their whole wedding there, or just the ceremony itself.

Gary, who looks after couples and their guests on the day, has celebrated almost a thousand weddings. He said: “To us, every couple is different and we treat each wedding individually. I think last year’s royal wedding, and of course the Queen’s diamond jubilee this year, is really influencing the kinds of venues that couples are choosing. The opulence of the Hall – the chandeliers, antique furniture and beautiful design – really makes people feel special. And that’s exactly how you should feel on your wedding day!”     

Sarah Keighley-Elstub recently celebrated her wedding at the Hall. She said: “We fell in love with the Hall as soon as we saw it. We loved the history of the place – it’s got real soul and such a great atmosphere. I grew up in Bristol, so I appreciated how rooted the venue is in the city’s past. Gary – the Butler – is so enthusiastic about the place, it’s infectious. I couldn’t imagine celebrating my wedding anywhere else.”

For more information, or to hold your wedding at the Merchants’ Hall, please contact Helen Parker on 0117 9738058 or email hparker@merchantventurers.com.

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[1] Bridal Guide http://www.bridalguide.com/planning/wedding-reception/wedding-trends-2012

The Princess Royal has become the latest member of the royal family to receive honorary membership of the Society of Merchant Venturers. The announcement tops off a royal week for Bristol, coinciding with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Since receiving its first royal charter from Edward VI in 1552, the Society has extended honorary membership to ten members of the royal family, most recently to Prince Charles and the Duke of Edinburgh.

David Marsh, Master of the Society, said: “The Merchants are honoured to present the Princess Royal with the freedom of the Society. Princess Anne is known for her extensive charitable work and her commitment to enhancing the lives of those less fortunate, very much in keeping with the Society’s own values.

“The Princess Royal has demonstrated a keen interest in greater Bristol over the years, having recently opened the M-Shed, visited the Alabaré Bristol Home for Veterans and toured and opened our own Merchants’ Academy in Withywood.”

Francis Greenacre, a Merchant Venturer, has marked the occasion by delving into the archives.  “Over the Society’s long history, the Merchants have welcomed around 80 honorary members,” said Francis. “Surprisingly, amongst the earliest recorded is Major General Thomas Harrison, a parliamentarian who had signed the death warrant of Charles I.

“Thereafter certain Prime Ministers, including Winston Churchill, ministers, Lord Commissioners of Trade and Plantations, MPs and distinguished soldiers and sailors were admitted as honorary freemen. A few may have been elected in the hope of future service to the city, but most were evidently admitted in grateful recognition of services already rendered to the nation and to Bristol.”

The first royal to accept honorary membership was Prince Frederick of Wales in 1738.

Francis continued: “Prince Albert was elected to receive the honour in 1842, just a few days before he visited the city to launch the ss Great Britain. More recently in 1953, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, was presented with the freedom of the Society.

“In the twentieth century honorary members included military heroes such as Field Marshal Earl Roberts in 1904, Admiral Sir David Beatty in 1919 and Field Marshal Earl Haig in 1920, but there were also those honoured in connection with education. Sir Herbert Warren, a distinguished educationalist and the Oxford Professor of Poetry was elected in 1919 and in the same year, George Alfred Wills was recognised for his magnificent support of the new Bristol University, becoming the first of four members of the Wills family to be honoured in this way.”

Welcome to the Merchants’ inaugural blog. Deliberately, and thankfully, it is not a conventional blog, but rather an informal way of keeping you updated with some of the Society’s activities and our future plans.

While education and care for older people take up much of our time and resource, the Society is also concerned with the well-being of Bristol and our members are very much out and about in the business and public spheres.

Giles Clarke started the idea of the Master meeting the Leader of Bristol City Council fairly regularly and I have continued meeting Barbara Janke. The Treasurer and I will, in due course, meet Simon Cook, who is now leading the Council until the mayoral elections in November. He may well be standing to be Bristol’s first elected mayor.

We have taken a great interest in the proposal for an elected mayor, and while as a Society we are neutral, all the members to  whom I have spoken have been in favour, and to use the word in vogue, think that such a change can be ‘transformational’ for Bristol and its region.  A number of Merchants and I have been at the meetings in Bristol in support of the campaign for an elected mayor, and we enjoyed in particular a trip to Downing Street to hear Michael Heseltine, Boris Johnson and the Prime Minister speak on the subject. George Ferguson is standing, and maybe other Merchants will declare later – it seems to me a natural thing for Merchants to want to do in the interests of making Bristol a better place. We don’t take sides, but wish them all well in their campaigns.

The Standing Committee has just spent an excellent and informative day visiting our three schools, and, of course, we are just getting into the Prize Giving and end-of-academic-year season. Merchants’ Academy in Withywood is engaged in the project of integrating the nearby Gay Elms Primary school, and thus creating an All Age Academy  and Colston Girls’ Academy on Cheltenham Road are very busy setting up a new co-ed primary school to help Bristol City Council deal with the city’s shortage.

We recently sponsored, with others, a Young Student’s Talent competition, designed to get teams of teenagers from different maintained schools to design, plan and carry out business orientated projects – for example setting up a website for a voluntary sector organisation. The final awards ceremony, in a large marquee in front of the Mall at Cribbs, involved a catwalk and loud music with young people strutting their stuff. I was impressed both by what the teams had achieved, and by the professional way in which the whole thing was organised. Anthony Brown and Chris Curling were both in attendance, and I am pleased that the Society will continue to sponsor this initiative. More importantly I hope that we will see one or more of our own schools in the final next year!

‘The Station’ is a project to convert the Old Fire Station in Silver Street into a centre for young people from all over Bristol to come and make music, socialise, eat and drink, and generally do what teenagers do. There will also be room for careers advice and other more serious things. It will be a large, state of the art facility and the cost of the building and equipment which runs to several millions is largely being met from government and similar sources.  Several of us have been down to see what is going on and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I particularly enjoyed meeting three of the young people who are helping Sandy Hore-Ruthven, CEO of the Creative Youth Network, to make the project happen, two of them ex- Merchants’ Academy.  We are sponsoring an outreach worker to the tune of £46,000 (£23,000 per annum for two years) and he or she will be charged with getting young people in from all corners of Bristol.

I hope, in August, to deal with the Local Enterprise Partnership’s work under Colin Skellet’s chairmanship, and other work which Merchants do in the public sphere.

David Marsh, Master of the Society of Merchant Venturers

Led by the Creative Youth Network, The Station project involves transforming the derelict Old Fire Station on Bridewell Island into a creative hub for young people from across Bristol. This will comprise state of the art facilities, including music studios, a media editing suite and an all-inclusive support network, when it opens in October.

The Merchants’ grant will fund an outreach worker for two years. This role will focus on forging links between The Station and local youth clubs and schools, ensuring that young people from across Bristol can benefit from The Station’s facilities. The Station has also received funding from the National Lottery and Bristol City Council.

David Marsh, Master of the Society of Merchant Venturers said: “The Station is an enormously important project for Bristol and it will be one of the biggest and most inspiring centres of its type in the UK.  It will use creative achievement and personal involvement in the arts to increase opportunities and broaden the horizons of young people.

“Among the core objectives for the Merchant Venturers are to improve the well-being of young people in greater Bristol and to support educational and self-improvement opportunities. The Station presents an important opportunity to meet these aims.

“The Station is designed to give all young people, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, the personal skills and confidence to realise their potential.The Station will be a focus for personal development. It is both an incredibly worthwhile initiative and one the Merchants are proud to support.”

The Station will provide counselling and career guidance alongside arts workshops, dance studios, a 250-seat theatre and a café. Young people will also have access to some of Bristol’s most inspiring people and organisations including the BBC, Aardman Animations and the Bristol Old Vic.

Sandy Hore-Ruthven, CEO of Creative Youth Network, said: “In the current difficult economic climate, the pressures on young people can be enormous and many need all the support we can give them. It is encouraging to see organisations like the Society of Merchant Venturers supporting The Station, helping it to become a firm fixture in Bristol’s youth culture.

“We are continually looking for funds for the Station and this investment by the Merchant Venturers is vital to making The Station work and  inspiring young people, creating a safe, neutral place and giving them the best opportunities whatever their background.”

For further information visit www.thestationbristol.org.uk

The governors from both schools have unanimously agreed this merger, which will improve educational opportunities for all students. Close collaboration between the schools, the Merchant Venturers, Bristol City Council and the Department for Education has overcome issues that earlier this year threatened to delay the formation of the All-Age-Academy in South Bristol.

The merger, which will take place at the beginning of the new academic year in September 2012, also has strong support from Merchants’ Academy’s principal sponsor, the Society of Merchant Venturers, as well as co-sponsor Bristol University.

David Marsh, who is the Merchant Venturers’ Master said: “This merger will improve educational attainment at both schools and is very good news for young people across South Bristol. We believe that easing the transition for students from Primary to Secondary school has been identified as a particular benefit of the All-Age-Academy.”

Chris Curling, Chair of Governors of Merchants’ Academy, said: “This exciting development will further strengthen the position of Merchants’ Academy as one of the most dynamic and fast-improving schools in the Bristol region. The cohort of children from our primary department will come through at age 11 with a strong understanding of the atmosphere and expectations of the secondary school. This will be a tremendous benefit both to them and to the many other students from across Bristol whom we will continue to welcome into the senior part of the Academy from other schools.”

Tim Rippington, Chair of Governors of Gay Elms Primary School said: “Gay Elms is very pleased that the sponsors of Merchants’ Academy have achieved such a speedy resolution to the difficulties presented to the All Age Academy project by the current state of our ageing buildings.

“We welcome the news that we are now able to proceed with the All Age Academy in 2012, as we feel sure that this move will prove to be very beneficial to all the children in the local area.”

Visual effects have existed in the world of film making ever since the very first ‘silent’ moving images were captured on film over 100 years ago.

From the work of pioneers like George Melies and Willis O’Brien to the modern computer generated spectacles of Avatar and Harry Potter, the artists and scientists involved in making visual effects have been continually challenged by film makers to create ever more believable fantastic worlds and characters as part of the visual experience of telling stories on screen.

Over the last 20 years the visual effects industry in the UK has developed from a small number of traditional physical effects companies creating practical models, animatronics, pyrotechnics and optical camera effects to a world leading digital effects industry working on many of the biggest summer blockbusters seen around the world.

As with so many areas of film making, the specialists involved in making visual effects come from a wide range of backgrounds – illustrators, sculptors, painters, animators, bio-mechanicists, computer scientists, machine vision specialists, physicists, engineers, chemists, photographers and lastly, and most importantly, storytellers.

During this lecture Ben hopes to present some of the more recent visual effects work created in the UK and explain in detail the techniques and processes involved in making these images.

For further details of Ben’s work and expertise, please read his biography.

University of Bristol alumnus (BEng Mechanical Engineering 1993, Honorary DEng 2011)

Tuesday 6 March 2012 at 6pm

Great Hall, Wills Memorial Building, Queen’s Road

Organised by the Public and Ceremonial Events Office with support from The Society of Merchant Venturers. Visit the University of Bristol event page.

Booking required, please visit http://benmorrislecture.eventbrite.co.uk

If you have any access requirements, please contact Nicola Fry, tel: (0117) 928 8515, or by email; nicola.fry@bristol.ac.uk

In keeping with the Merchants’ key objective of promoting learning and the acquisition of skills, £7,500 was awarded to programmes held at the Merchants’ Academy.

The first, a grant of £5,000, was awarded to the Prince’s Trust to continue the XL programme currently held at the school. The Prince’s Trust XL clubs are run across the country and provide a personal development programme aimed at young people aged 13-19 at risk of underachievement or exclusion from school.

The second, for £2,500 was awarded to the Merchants’ Academy to commission an independent study to review the current student leadership programme and activities within the Academy and to make recommendations for improvement in order to better develop pupils leadership and associated skills and confidence required in the work place.

The Merchants’ commitment to young people in the greater Bristol area is also evident in their £2,500 donation to Bristol Young Talent – Young Student of the Year Awards. The grant will support the costs of running the competition, which is aimed at post 16 year old students. The awards aim to develop young peoples’ employability skills and are run by representatives from the Bristol business community.

Hotwells Primary School was awarded a grant of £1,500 to enable the Reception Class to take part in the Forest School Programme. The programme involves an educational approach to outdoor play and learning in woodland areas. Through play children learn about the natural environment, working with others and using their initiative to solve problems.

£1,100 was donated to Feed the Children, a national charity aiming to combat famine around the world. The Merchants’ grant will support breakfast clubs in seven schools across the Bristol area.

The Committee awarded grants of £1,000 to 197th Bristol Scout Group, Action for Blind People, The Family Centre (Deaf Children), Friends of Hannah More Primary School, Relate Avon and Wish for a Brighter Future.

197th Bristol Scout Group will be putting the £1,000 grant towards the cost of redecorating their Scout hut following a recent fire.

Action for Blind People will be funding activities including horse riding, swimming, ice skating and kayaking for Bristol based blind and partially sighted people.

The Family Centre (Deaf Children), based in Westbury-on-Tyrm, supports families living with deafness in Bristol through family sessions, activities and learning opportunities. The centre will use the grant to fund weekend sports related activities for deaf children and their families.

Friends of Hannah More Primary School will put their grant towards the cost of developing a new school library.

Relate Avon, which provides relationship and family counselling and support for those experiencing domestic abuse or violence, also received a grant of £1,000. The funding will support 20 sessions for children and young people from low income families affected by family breakdown.

Wish for a Brighter Future offers practical and emotional support for victims of domestic abuse in the Hartcliffe and Withywood areas of Bristol. The charity will use the grant to provide specialist training for a project worker.

Bristol Filton Sea Cadets received £500 to cover the costs of classroom equipment at their Horfield site.

David, who has been a Merchant Venturer for 10 years, played a key role in the development of Bristol’s leading law firm, Burges Salmon.

As managing partner and senior partner he saw the firm develop into a significant national player in the legal services sector, employing over 600 people at the centre of Bristol.

David has identified support for enterprise in the Greater Bristol area as a priority for the Society over the next 12 months. “My term as Master begins at a particularly challenging time, with the impact of the downturn being felt by many local people,” he said.

“We will continue to place emphasis on the Merchant Venturers’ core objective to ‘contribute to the prosperity and well-being of the Greater Bristol area.’

“The Merchants bring together a wealth of entrepreneurial experience, understanding and skills that can make a strong contribution to the economic life of this area. Many Merchants are passionately keen to share their experience, stimulating and backing entrepreneurial initiative.”

A former President of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce, David believes that the Merchants can use their personal and collective influence to support business activity: “We must really get behind Colin Skellett and support the work that he is doing as Chairman of the new Local Enterprise Partnership.

“Colin and his contacts have a real commitment to the Bristol city region and the LEP has the strategic ability to make a huge difference – but only if it has the full support of the local community.”

Also, high on the agenda for the Merchant Venturers over the next 12 months is a continuation of the commitment of the Merchants to education in Bristol. As Chairman of Governors at Colston’s School for seven years, education is an area of great importance and interest for David.

Another continuing priority for the Merchant Venturers will be our care for over 1,000 people in eight residential homes across the greater Bristol area. During my year as Master, I hope to see some interesting development in our Cote and Almshouse charities.

David has played a major role in other societies and organisations in Bristol. He has been President of the Canynges Society, St Mary Redcliffe; President of the Grateful Society; a director of At-Bristol; as well as being involved with the leadership of various other local charities.

His business interests included having been director of local companies, including Taylor Maxwell Limited, Foster Yeoman Limited, Denmans Electrical plc and Chelsea Building Society.

This November DNA is touring Flies, an edgy black comedy about one man’s fear of flies, presented by Pins and Needles Productions.  The production is running for three weeks at the Tobacco Factory’s Brewery Theatre before going on the road, stopping at the Merchants’ Academy (8 November), the Bridge Learning Campus (9 November) and Fairfield High School (10 November).

Carrie Rhys-Davies, Education Officer at the Tobacco Factory Theatre explains: “The DNA project is deliberately aimed at areas of Bristol which face greater social and economic challenges than others. Our main interest is to reach out to people less likely to be aware of or able to visit theatres in the city because of geographical, awareness or financial barriers.

“We are aiming to inspire young people to further their interest in theatre, enriching the lives of those in the local communities through the opportunity to experience high quality theatre in their own neighbourhoods and stimulating the engagement of communities with their local schools and learning centres.”

Giles Clarke, the Master of the Society of Merchant Venturers said: “We are delighted to support the Tobacco Factory Theatre and the DNA programme. This is a valuable resource for Bristol’s young people, giving some their first opportunity to develop a potentially lifelong relationship with theatre. This is in keeping with our core objective of encouraging learning and the development of skills.”

Commenting on the Merchant Venturers’ support, Carrie said: “The Merchants’ donation will enable us to build on the success of the pilot year by starting to knit the DNA initiative into the cultural fabric of a core group of secondary schools and their surrounding communities. It will enable us to commit to developing sustainable relationships with these communities, providing an increasing range of enhanced engagement opportunities to support the initiative’s aim of breaking down the barriers to experiencing and participating in high quality performing arts.”

£10,000 has been awarded to the Park project, which trains apprentices in the working environment of a community café.

The Bristol 2050 Book has also been awarded £10,000 over the next two years. Masterminded by John Savage CBE, this book provides a blueprint for Bristol’s development until 2050. It seeks to map out Bristol’s future with a view to eliminating poverty and championing sustainability. Bristol 2050 works to acknowledge and overcome the challenges facing the Bristol community, a task high on the Merchants’ list of priorities.

St Peter’s Hospice received £3,658 this year and will receive the same amount next year towards the purchase of one motorised mattress each year. These mattresses make patients more comfortable, reducing pain that is often caused by movement into an elevated position.

£2,500 was awarded to the small, but much-needed, Avon University Settlement Community Association. This organisation offers a free drop-in advice service, advising people on issues such as debt management and welfare rights.

The Quartet Community Foundation also received £2,500 for the work it does to help community-based organisations. The foundation provides current and prospective donors with relevant opportunities for giving, acting as a basis for long term, sustainable charitable funding.

Henbury Football Club was given £1,800 in order to assist the club and maintain its status within the Football Association. The funds will enable improvements to be made to drainage, electrics and for some carpentry work at the club.

The Nilaari Agency was awarded £2,000 in general support of their ‘Dare to be men in the 21st century’ programme, which supports homeless men with drug and alcohol problems. The charity has ten years experience working with marginalised groups and delivers accessible, high quality and culturally appropriate counseling, advocacy and support.

£1,200 was awarded to Kwads, an organisation that supports families affected by drug or alcohol abuse. The organisation is community-rooted, providing a range of services including free and confidential information, advice, guidance, signposting and support. The Committees’ donation will finance 600 self-help manuals that aim to help people manage their situations more effectively.

£1,000 was awarded to Golden Oldies, towards the general running and transport costs of this organisation. Golden Oldies improves the wellbeing of older people through its provision of singing sessions in their homes and sheltered accommodation. The organisation combats loneliness and aims to generate friendships through music.

The Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust was awarded £525. As the initial power behind the construction of the Suspension Bridge, the Merchants are particularly interested in its maintenance. Having attracted visitors for almost 150 years, the Suspension Bridge is a well-loved symbol of the city.

The Bristol Record Society was also awarded £500 by the Committee.  The Merchants share an affinity with this society’s devotion to the study and publication of the historic records of the city. Bristol’s history and development are of particular interest to the Merchants.

For further information on how to apply for a grant please visit the Charitable Activities Overview page and download an application form for either the Youth of Appeals Committee.

The Appeals Committee has awarded grants totalling £43,000 with £30,000 awarded to the Community Self-Build Agency over the next two years. The project allows 12 ex-servicemen, struggling to adapt to civilian life and often homeless, to build their own homes in Bedminster from scratch.

Continuing the Society of Merchant Venturers’ interest in support for veterans, £5,000was awarded to Help for Heroes and 1879 Anglo-Zulu War Battles to help fund a series of ten fundraising lectures across the UK, including @Bristol on 30th June. Funds generated at this talk will be targeted to meet the needs of injured servicemen residing in greater Bristol.

Penny Brohn Cancer Care, based in North West Bristol, has also received a £5,000grant to support their day clinic, Cancerpoint. Cancerpoint provides local people with practical help to make positive and lasting changes to their health.

A grant of £3,000 was awarded to Alzheimer’s charity Alive!. Operating across the South West, including Bristol, Alive! offers people suffering with Alzheimer’s a greater quality of life. The grant will be used to fund workshops with older people with Dementia and/or Alzheimer’s and degenerative diseases providing sing-alongs, poetry, verse, monologues, quizzes and games.

The Youth Committee has awarded grants of £3,000 to Knowle West Media Centre, the National Autistic Society – Bristol Branch and the Tobacco Factory Trust.

Knowle West Media Centre, an organisation working with the local community to develop the creative, educational and social potential of people within the surrounding area, will be using the grant to assist young people in creating film projects about local people imparting their knowledge about local issues.

The National Autistic Society – Bristol Branch will be funding exclusive swimming and gym sessions for Autistic children who find it difficult to engage in mainstream sessions.

The Tobacco Factory Trust will be funding a touring theatre production, specifically visiting areas of high deprivation with a view to encouraging young people from less advantaged backgrounds to become involved in theatre.

A grant of £2,500 was awarded to the Centre for Deaf People Bristol by the Youth Committee. The Centre work with deaf and hard of hearing people across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire and will be using the grant to help meet the cost of their summer holiday scheme, run for deaf children aged 6-17.

£2,000 was granted to Re:work, a South Bristol charity offering training to young people and those wishing to re-enter the world of work. Re:work plans to use the money to support young people, aged 13-15, who have been excluded from school by providing practical experience in sectors including construction, landscaping, furniture restoration and retail.

Sense and the Handicapped Children’s Action Group were both awarded grants of£1,000.

Sense will use the grant to fund an assessment and development programme catering for families with Deafblind children in the greater Bristol area.

The Handicapped Children’s Action Group plans to purchase specialist trikes and sensory equipment for the students of the New Fosseway Special Needs Schools in Bristol.

For further information on how to apply for a grant please visit the Charitable Activities Overview page and download an application form for either the Youth or Appeals Committee.

The first full Ofsted report on the over-subscribed Academy highlights how Merchants’ Academy is changing the face of education across south Bristol through good teaching, pioneering new approaches and inspiring its students to aim high.

Inspectors found students in the top sets at the Academy make “outstanding progress”, while the care, guidance & support that teachers give to all children was also rated “outstanding”.  “Consistently good teaching” and “highly successful vocational courses” motivate the students, who “all achieve well”, the inspectors found.

Their accompanying letter praised the students for being well behaved and positive about the “interesting curriculum”.

The report praises the “inspirational leadership” of Principal Anne Burrell, who came to Merchants’ Academy last September, the “outstanding” work of the governing body, the “excellent facilities” in the new £30m campus and the “highly effective” contributions of the school’s sponsors, the Society of Merchant Venturers and the University of Bristol.

And Merchants’ Academy is on track for an even brighter future: “It is improving at a fast pace and has a good capacity to sustain this,” the inspectors wrote.

Mrs Burrell said: “I am delighted with this report and very proud of what we have achieved. Our staff and students should be proud, too – the inspectors have confirmed what we all know: Merchants’ Academy is a great school and is transforming the education landscape in south Bristol. In fact, parents across the south of the city and beyond are already recognising this – which is why we are oversubscribed for Year 7 places this coming September.”

Denis Burn, who is Chair of Governors at the Academy, Chair of the University of Bristol Council and a Merchant Venturer, said: “The Merchant Venturers are proud of what has been achieved at Merchants’ Academy.

“Our aim has always been to create a new school in south Bristol which encourages high aspirations among its students and ensures they have all the skills and qualifications necessary for a successful career. As Ofsted makes clear, Merchants’ Academy is now fulfilling that aim, which is why we are increasingly attracting students from across a wide area.”

A team of four Inspectors including two of Her Majesty’s Inspectors visited the Academy for two days earlier this month and looked in depth at a number of areas, including the attainment and progress of current Year 9 pupils, who were the first Year 7 group when the Academy opened in new buildings in September 2008.

Their 15-page report rated Merchants’ Academy as good overall, with the opening words of its main findings stating: “Merchants’ Academy is a good school where all students achieve well.”

Among Ofsted’s other findings are that:

• “Exceptional efforts are made by the Academy to ensure that their children receive the best possible life chances
• Curriculum pathways have been skilfully crafted to link closely with the academy’s specialism of Enterprise and Skills
• Overall outcomes are good because all resources, including personal expertise and available finances, are used well.o   The sixth form has a strong focus on improving student outcomes and raising aspirations.o
• All students are making good progress in their learning and higher attaining groups make outstanding progress.o
• Rigorous monitoring and perceptive self-evaluation is driving the academy forward effectively
• Significant features of the academy’s good provision are the interesting curriculum on offer and the positive relationships enjoyed between students and the teaching staff.

“We are tremendously encouraged by this report, but we are certainly not complacent,” added the Principal, Mrs Burrell. “As the inspectors themselves noted, I and my senior colleagues, together with our sponsors are now determined to move the Academy ‘from good to great’ and we will be addressing the small number of areas in which the inspectors stated that we need to improve further.”

These areas include building on the initial achievements of the newly structured middle management and sixth form leadership teams, evaluating the current sixth form curriculum and making sure that marking of work is consistent, with students always clear on what they need to do to improve it.

The funding makes possible two important new educational programmes being developed by the Brunel Institute – Future Brunels and Golden Ticket. The Future Brunels programme aims to inspire young people to study Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths through GCSE level and beyond.

The programme presents a fresh approach to addressing national shortages of skilled scientists, engineers and mathematicians, who represent a vital resource in our ability to meet and tackle the challenges of the modern world.

Inspired by Brunel’s own multi-disciplinary approach, the ss Great Britain Trust will present a programme of hands-on projects at the Brunel Institute and exceptional access to inspirational sites related to science, technology and engineering.

Each year, beginning in 2011, the Future Brunels programme will engage a group of 12 – 15 promising students for a five-year programme from years 7 – 11 that will provide extraordinary out-of-school experiences with science and technology.

Students will explore key themes that progress in complexity and will engage with ‘science in action’ through site visits, mentorship, Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths challenges and other activities that engage them with science and engineering in the real world.

In addition, self-development and careers advice will overlay the academic aspects of the programme to support the long-term goals of both the programme and students.

Under the Golden Ticket programme, bursaries will be offered to schools in disadvantaged areas to help alleviate transport and staffing costs when visiting Brunel’s ss Great Britain and the Brunel Institute.

Following their school visit, children will be given a Golden Ticket, which will entitle their families to a free visit.

Giles Clarke, the Master of the Society of Merchant Venturers said: “We are delighted to support the Brunel Institute’s Schools Project, which will provide an engaging educational workshop programme for some 4,000 local children.

“This exciting programme meets the Merchant Venturers’ core objective of encouraging learning and the development of skills.”

Vanessa Edwards, the Director of Development for the ss Great Britain Trust said: “We are very grateful to the Merchant Venturers, whose extremely generous contribution will make possible the development and delivery of Future Brunels and Golden Ticket programs.

“In addition to the financial support we will also receive valuable input from the Merchant Venturer, Peter McCarthy, through his membership of the Brunel Institute Management Board.” Back to Latest News

The signing of the 1861 Act meant that Clifton Down, owned by the Merchant Venturers and Durdham Down, then recently acquired by Bristol City Council, would be managed jointly by the Society together with the local authority.

Giles Clarke, Master of the Merchant Venturers said: “Through this remarkable gift, the citizens of Bristol acquired green space that has not been developed and is admired – not to say envied – by visitors from cities across the world.

“This ‘green lung’ so near the city centre has made a huge contribution to the quality of life for local people and supports Bristol’s reputation as being one of Europe’s ‘greenest cities”.

“In relation to the size of the city, the preservation of 450 acres of open downland in 1861 is an achievement that stands comparison with the construction of Central Park in New York in the 1860s.”

The anniversary has sent Francis Greenacre, a Merchant Venturer and the Society’s historian into the archives. “Clifton Down, the medieval commons of the Manor of Clifton, was acquired by the Merchant Venturers towards the end of the seventeenth century,” he says.

“Evidence of the Merchants’ concern for this remarkable amenity can be found almost a hundred years before the Downs Act.

“The Society’s Hall Book for 1766 records that: ‘In an attempt to preserve the Clifton Downs and to prevent nuisances, the Hall gladly accepted the offer of Sir William Draper to act as Conservator of Clifton Down.”

Francis explains that Sir William Draper, whose election as an honorary member of the Merchant Venturers is recorded on sheets of vellum and hangs in a corridor in Merchants’ Hall.

“Sir William was a soldier,” says Francis. “He served with conspicuous success in India. He returned to England in 1763 following his controversial capture of Manila in the Philippines, using his prize money of £5,000 to build Manilla Hall on Merchant Venturers’ land at the corner of Clifton Down.

“In 1767 he erected a sarcophagus or cenotaph in his garden that commemorates the ‘departed warriors’ of the 79th Regiment of Foot. It is one of the earliest war memorials.

“When Draper’s elegant classical villa was demolished to make way for Manilla Road in the 1880s, this monument was moved just a hundred metres or so to the edge of Clifton Down near Christ Church where it remains today.”

Recent grants have been made to a range of good causes, including a £65,000 donation to Alabaré, the specialist care charity that provides residential care and support to veterans struggling to adjust to civilian life following their experiences serving in the British Armed Forces. The funding supported a recently opened Filton-based home, designed to help veterans readjust and get back on their feet.

Significant donations have also been received by a range of education and community initiatives across Bristol including St Christopher’s School, in Westbury Park, which received £5,000 towards the costs of installing interactive whiteboards, for pupils with severe and complex learning difficulties.

The Vassall Centre Trust, a charity aiming to create barrier-free environments for disabled and older people, has been awarded a grant of £4,000 from the Merchant Venturers to convert two storage rooms into a fully accessible kitchen. Southville Community Centre received £2,000 to continue its popular “Monday Club”, an initiative that allows isolated, older people in the community to meet regularly for support and companionship.

Mr Giles Clarke, The Master of the Merchant Venturers said:  “We work closely with communities across the West of England and support a broad range of local good causes.

“Our work is guided by a commitment to contribute to the prosperity and wellbeing of the greater Bristol area. We are motivated by the desire to enhance the quality of life for local people, particularly supporting the young, older people and disadvantaged.”

Applications for funding can be put forward to both the Merchants’ Appeals and Youth Committees. Giles explains: “Our Appeals Committee considers applications from organisations addressing a broad range of social issues, whether care for the elderly, tackling homelessness, poverty or the prevention of crime. We are also interested in supporting healthcare projects and the Arts.”

The Merchants’ Youth Committee will consider applications from organisations that support young people within the greater Bristol area. These include training and education programmes, initiatives to assist character development, and help employment prospects as well as mentoring programmes and projects that inspire entrepreneurship.

Named The Merchants Venturers House, a plaque marking the first care home was unveiled at the grand opening by Giles Clarke, Master of the Merchant Venturers, who explains the new initiative: “Many thousands of UK soldiers have served in conflicts around the world in recent years. They have returned home and eventually to their civilian lives – from there sometimes things go wrong.“

The Royal British Legion reports that in Bristol alone they are currently receiving requests for help from at least six homeless veterans per week. Many more are deeply impacted emotionally by their experiences whilst serving – which is reflected in a range of mental and physical health problems.”

We are extremely impressed with the compassion and practical support offered by Alabaré to veterans and are delighted to help fund the charity’s first residential homes for these individuals in Bristol.”

Housing eight veterans, the initial two homes are in Filton and have been made possible through a £65,000 grant from the Merchant Venturers amongst other funders.

One of the first residents for the new project is Derek Barratt, a former Lance Bombardier with the elite 29 Commando Royal Artillery regiment and 148 Battery Special Operations.

Diagnosed to be suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Derek began a long struggle against alcohol addiction. “I found it very difficult accepting that I couldn’t cope,” he says.“I was in bits when I arrived. But, in the short time I’ve been here I feel that I’ve started functioning as a human being again.

“Unless you get help, the mental scars don’t heal. Talking is a massive help. I have been really lucky to be able to come here. I have found security and a stable platform to rebuild my life. It’s been a real godsend. I am now totally committed to getting my life back on track. I start work next month.”

Geoffrey Willis, Alabaré Campaign Director says: “There is considerable support for the physical wounds of servicemen. What is currently missing is care and support that allows them to come to terms with their experiences – and sometimes horrific injuries – and return to civilian life.

“Our residential projects provide care for individuals for a period of six – seven months. During this time we work hard to connect these individuals with the specialist help and support that they need.

“Following this time, residents either return to ordinary civilian life, or they move to a half-way home where they will continue to receive less intensive support.”

Giles Clarke said: “The Merchant Venturers are proud to support individuals that have given so much for their country. But this project must just be a start. We hope that others will join us in supporting Alabaré.”

For further information on Alabaré visit www.alabare.co.uk.

At the end of her hour-long tour, the Princess unveiled a plaque marking the official opening of the 11-19 Academy in south Bristol, which first opened its doors in September 2008.

As all 750 students gathered in the central courtyard for the unveiling ceremony, Chair of Governors Denis Burn urged them to learn lessons from The Princess’s own sporting success as a three-day eventing champion and a competitor at the 1976 Olympics.

“Your visit here means a very great deal to us,” he told The Princess. “We need your desire to win and the courage to go for it; we need to develop the trust between staff, students and parents – and we need the perseverance to over come the setbacks when they occur, as they inevitably do.

“Our prize will be that our leavers can hold their own anywhere in this community or in the world. We must challenge and support our young people, helping them to achieve successes and prosper.”

After thanking students, staff, VIP guests and supporters of the School for their enthusiastic welcome in the winter sunshine, The Princess said: “It is always a pleasure to see facilities like these being built and, more importantly, being used by everyone. It’s taken a few years, I know, to get to this stage, but remember that they are just buildings and it’s what you make of them that will really transform people’s lives.”

The Academy’s Principal, Anne Burrell, added after the Princess had left: “It was a privilege and an honour to welcome Her Royal Highness to Merchants’ Academy, and it was a wonderful opportunity to show her the outstanding students we have here.”

Those students included 12-year-old Hollie Malin, who presented The Princess with a posy at the start of the visit. Each of the five lessons and activities she then visited was introduced by one of the Academy’s students. She called in on lessons in mathematics, science, hair-dressing, basketball, bricklaying and carpentry. She also heard a recital from pianist Lewis Young, 14, and singer Georgia Phelps, 15.

The Princess met visitors who included children from a number of partner primary schools, parents and a line-up of VIP guests. These included: The Lord-Lieutenant of Bristol, Mrs Mary Prior; the High Sheriff of Bristol, Mrs Peaches Golding; the Lord Mayor of Bristol, Coun Colin Smith; the Lady Mayoress, Ms Jenny Bradley; Supt Steve Jeffries, Avon & Somerset Constabulary; Mr Giles Clarke, Master of the Society of Merchant Venturers and Derek Pretty, Registrar of the University of Bristol. The Merchant Venturers and the University of Bristol sponsor Merchants’ Academy.

Since it opened, numbers applying to join the Academy have risen dramatically. In 2010, the Academy was given a very good interim OFSTED progress report and students achieved a 47% improvement in its academic results (5 GCSEs at A*-C including English and Mathematics).

Underpinned by the £30m initial investment in award-winning buildings and facilities, the Academy has from its earliest days forged strong relationships with business.

The Princess met representatives of these business partners including law firms, Burges Salmon and Beachcroft, as well as Bank of Ireland.

Burges Salmon Partner Ian Whitehall said his firm had been supporting the Academy and its predecessor school for five years. “We support the Outposts Programme for new kids coming into Year 7, which gives them 36 hours under canvas and the chance to take part in a range of outdoor activities. One of our lawyers, Will Woodall, joined the kids on that this year,” he said.

Tony Cherry, Regional Senior Partner for Beachcroft, said The Princess had discussed with him the transition from primary to secondary schools. “We like to offer our staff opportunities for voluntary work and so at the Academy we help with reading schemes and an artwork project.”

During a break for coffee, The Princess met the Academy Parliament and its Army Cadet Force.

Her visit concluded when 14-year-old Merchants’ Academy student Jonathon Amey presented the Princess with a riding hat to be donated to the Riding for the Disabled Association, of which she is President.

HRH The Duke of Gloucester has formally opened Katherine House – a new purpose-built, residential care home. The Society of Merchant Venturers is the trustee of Cote Charity, which runs both Katherine House and Cote House.

The Royal visit took place on Friday (26 November) and marked the formal opening of Katherine House. The home, which was completed in December 2009, is situated in Westbury-on-Trym in the extensive grounds of Cote House and is home to 40 residents.

Charles Griffiths, Chairman of Cote Charity, said: “The Royal visit meant a great deal to the residents and staff and everyone else involved with the Charity. It provided an opportunity to celebrate the success of Katherine House one year on. This is due in no small part to the efforts of a wider team of Merchant Venturers and the Cote staff who have helped us achieve the delicate balance between meeting the individual care needs of our residents while ensuring they retain their independence, external interests and relationships.”

Master of the Merchant Venturers, Giles Clarke, whose Great Great Aunt Katherine Gotch Robinson founded Cote Charity, said: “We were delighted to welcome HRH the Duke of Gloucester to Katherine House and give him a tour of the superb facilities on offer. It is rewarding to see Katherine House fully completed and occupied, providing an excellent service to older people, just as its founder, Katherine Gotch Robinson, would have wanted.”

Katherine Gotch Robinson bought her family’s elegant, 17thcentury home Cote House in 1954 and turned it into flats for older people rather than see it fall into the hands of commercial developers. She established the Cote Charity in 1955 to run Cote House; the Society of Merchant Venturers was appointed trustee of Cote Charity.

Bill Wilkinson, Porter and Care Taker at Merchants’ Hall has announced his retirement, aged 71, after twelve years of service for the Society of Merchant Venturers.

Bill joined the staff at Merchants’ Hall on 5 May 1998. He was responsible for maintaining the Hall and grounds, gardening and minor repairs but will probably be best remembered for his role as doorman dressed in top hat and tails.

When speaking about his time at the Hall, he said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed working and living at Merchants’ Hall. It has become more of a home than a job.”

The Merchants and staff have shown me so much kindness and generosity over the years and it has been a real pleasure to be here.“

I have learnt so much about the Merchants and it has been fascinating to hear about the various contributions they make to many organisations and individuals in Bristol.”

Richard Morris, Treasurer at the Merchant Venturers, said: “Bill has been our rock – reliable, efficient, hard working – a true gentleman. He is going to be truly missed.”

Bill is retiring to a cottage in Churchill near the Mendips and plans to make the most of the countryside. He continued: “At Merchants’ Hall there was a lot to do and I was always busy. I am now going to spend my time going on long walks and painting in oils and water colours. I would also like to build a model railway – a life time goal of mine!

“To have lived and worked in such a beautiful building, in such lovely surroundings with some of the most prestigious men and women in Bristol has been an absolute honour and an experience that I will never forget.”

His appointment took place at a ceremony at Merchants’ Hall on 10 November, at which he, together with two wardens, twelve assistants and the Treasurer were sworn in for the next year. This followed the historic Charter Day service at Bristol Cathedral.

Giles Clarke, a highly successful businessman and Chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, is set to bring his entrepreneurial flair and commitment to sport and education to the role of Master.

Giles Clarke said: “The Society of Merchant Venturers has been an integral part of my family’s life for several generations and it is a great honour for me to follow in their footsteps.

“As Master, my priorities will be to continue the Merchants’ work in encouraging young entrepreneurs in Bristol; to identify and provide opportunities for sporting talent in the deprived areas of the city; and to support the three schools that are such a vital part of the Merchants’ strategy to improve Bristol’s skills for the business of the 21st century.

“From my years in business, I am aware of the importance of developing an educated and skilled workforce.

“I am also delighted to support the vital work that the Merchant Venturers undertake to support and provide for the most vulnerable in the community.”

The Charter Day ceremony was held at Bristol Cathedral and attended by staff and pupils from the three schools which the Society of Merchant Venturers is actively involved with: Colston’s School, Colston’s Girls’ School and Merchants’ Academy.

Cher Dyer, Head Girl at Merchants’ Academy played a significant role at this year’s ceremony, becoming the first pupil from the school to read the lesson. She said: “It has been such a privilege to read the lesson today. I really enjoyed representing my school which has come so far thanks to the support and hard work from the community, staff and the Merchant Venturers.”

Immediate past Master, Colin Skellett, said he was proud of what the Merchant Venturers have achieved over the past year. He said: “I am delighted at the progress that has been made by all three of our schools in achieving record results, the continuing development of our support for older people and disadvantaged youngsters and the development of ideas for supporting new business entrepreneurs.

“I am confident that the Society of Merchant Venturers will continue to thrive under the leadership of Giles Clarke and I wish him a happy and successful year.”

South West Academies, which will be led by Ray Priest, retiring principal at Bristol City Academy, chaired by Merchant Venturer John Laycock and supported by board members Denis Burn, Steve Parsons, Trevor Smallwood and Richard Morris, is being launched today (14 July) at an event at Merchants’ Hall in Clifton.

The event will see the principals from City Academy and Bristol Cathedral Choir School as well as two of the Merchants’ schools – Merchants’ Academy and Colston’s Girls School — join together as members of the new South West Academies consortium in a discussion about increasing coordination and communication between member schools and to share their vision for the future direction of educational provision across the region.

Ray Priest, who will take up his new post as head of South West Academies in October, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity to work with a group of people who are embracing the new government agenda and are willing to work together to help raise educational standards in the South West.

“We are using this event to unravel our plans and objectives but it is also an opportunity for us to invite other academies or like-minded people to join us, so that we can work together and develop stronger educational provision for young people.

“Academies allow school leaders and governors the freedom to make rapid changes in the interest of the children. The scope to modify the curriculum and develop new approaches for the 21st century, backed by financial freedom to target resources, is allowing academies to set a transformational agenda for our schools. This opportunity now exists for the primary and special school sector for the first time.

“We aim to support member schools with professional development, shared services, project management and regional and national representation.”

The Merchant Venturers currently sponsor two academies: Colston’s Girls’ School on Cheltenham Road and the Merchants’ Academy in Withywood and remain prepared to consider support to other schools seeking to become academies in the future — either independently or through South West Academies.

Richard Morris, Treasurer at the Merchant Venturers, said: “We are delighted to be part of this new initiative. Learning and the acquisition of skills are key to an individual’s future life chances and we are committed to do all we can to support education. South West Academies will, I am sure, play a significant part in helping to build upon the educational improvements that are now evident in the greater Bristol region.”

One of my jobs as chairman is to ask people to serve as a governor.  I do not recall ever having had a refusal – such is the reputation that people regard it as an honour to serve and are pleased to have a connection with such a great school.

Edward Colston set up a very different school for a different set of pupils and society 300 years ago. He would not recognise the place – we moved from central Bristol to Stapleton 150 years ago, or the pupils, girls as well as boys, well dressed and fed, or the financial structure – nearly all fee paying.

But he would recognise the commitment to and importance of a good education for life which, as a co-ed 3-18 socially diverse school, we retain.

He would like our commitment to all rounded achievement not only in examinations, but in the theatre, and house music competition, on the rugby field, and the hockey pitch.

And I like to think he would enjoy coming into a school lunch; part of our ‘cement’ is that everyone from junior school upwards comes into lunch in the hall every day on a rolling basis over 2 hours– there are no sandwiches or lunch boxes, and pupils of all ages queue and jostle together.

The happy expressions, the relaxed demeanours, the chatter, the body language all point to a school at ease with itself, and with a commitment to the right things.

I hope he would approve of the buildings, sports grounds and the sweeping views across Bristol to the south.

Our principal marketing tool has been open days, in fact ‘every day an open day’ and there is a sense that once we can get prospective parents and pupils into the school grounds, and shown round by senior pupils – far and away our best salesmen’,  we are well on the way to bringing them on board.

We have been good at changing in particular to reflect government policy, the Bristol education market and social progress.

Now we need to be able to offer more bursaries to deserving pupils, and hence a  theme of the Tercentenary celebrations is to establish a Foundation which will raise endowment funds.

However the main theme is just to celebrate our successes over 300 years, to re-connect old pupils with one another and the school, and to have a good time.

We are in particular capitalising on our warm relationship with the Old Colstonians, who have been tireless in helping the organisation of the Tercentenary events.

These should include something for everyone from family fun days to formal dinners.

By David Marsh, Merchant Venturer and Governor at Colston’s School

Getting the funding to turn their dream into
reality can be almost impossible if they are unemployed. And when it comes to the money for training courses or buying equipment, it’s a similar problem.

To help young people in Bristol overcome these issues, the Society of Merchant Venturers has teamed up with The Prince’s Trust. Five members of the historic Merchant Venturers, which is made up of prominent Bristol businessmen and women, are now mentoring and advising a group of youngsters in the city to help get their business concepts off the ground.

The Merchant Venturers, who have decades of
top-level business experience between them, are offering priceless hands-on advice, support and guidance to five young people under the two-year scheme.

Run as part of The Prince’s Trust’s Business
Programme which helps young people aged 18 to 30 who are unemployed or financially disadvantaged start their own business, the mentoring scheme has already achieved some notable successes despite only starting last year.

The Society of Merchant Venturers has a strong track record in education and youth support in Bristol – its records show that it was running a school for the children of mariners as early as 1595. Today it sponsors and supports the Merchants’ Academy in Withywood and Colston’s Girls’ School on Gloucester Road and Colston’s School in Stapleton.

So rolling up their sleeves and advising these youngsters by passing on expertise and knowledge is a logical step.

Merchant mentor Charles Densham, retired partner at Knight Frank LLP, said: “Helping young people is an integral part of our role.
“Education is essential for young people. But it is important to remember education comes in many forms and can be implemented at different stages in life. Some people feel that school is not the right route for them and would prefer to apply for a training scheme or work placement.

“We have a responsibility to make sure that in choosing an alternative path, these young people are given the support and encouragement they need. Taking part in The Prince’s Trust mentoring programme is our way of meeting that need.”

The Prince’s Trust business programme, which this year celebrates its 26th anniversary, has helped 276 young people across the South West set up their own business in the past 12 months.

“We are delighted that the Merchants have chosen to take part in the scheme. They have shown real dedication by attending the induction and training course” said Sue Porto, Regional Director at The Princes Trust South West.

The Prince’s Trust is the chosen beneficiary for this year’s Bristol Evening Post Business Awards which take place on 17 June at the Bristol City Centre Marriott Hotel Bristol.

Icon Beauty

28 year old Lucy Bamber, an aspiring beautician, approached the Prince’s Trust in June last year.

Having previously worked in beauty salons and attending a beauty course at college, she was inspired to set up her own business but needed further guidance and advice.

Lucy’s sister advised her to contact the Prince’s Trust after hearing that it supplied expert business mentors who provide advice, support and financial help.

Andrew Nisbet, founder and director at Nisbet & Co. Ltd attended one of the business programmes training days and spotted Lucy at the event.

“Lucy was positive, determined and knew what she wanted. She had a strong business proposal that I knew would work,” Andrew said.
Lucy added,

“Andrew has helped me with every aspect of setting up and running my business. He provided me with a lawyer when I had problems with a past employer, put me in contact with IT specialists who helped me to set up a client database system and has made me feel like I can approach him at any time which has been so helpful.”

Lucy set up Icon Beauty six months ago on Gloucester Road in Bishopston. The business now has 3 employees and over 700 clients and the salon is continuing to do well.

Andrew and Lucy continue to meet each month to discuss how to grow and expand the business further.

“It has been an absolute pleasure working with Lucy and I have enjoyed assisting her in making her dream a reality,” said Andrew.

Show Shine

Twenty year old Damian Pinfield from Weston Super Mare always dreamt of setting up his own mobile car valeting business but lacked the knowledge and finances to allow his concept to take off.

That changed last summer when he contacted the Prince’s Trust.

“I found school quite difficult and restricting and always wanted to do my own thing. I was unemployed when I contacted the Trust and thought ‘it’s now or never!’”

After an induction and a four day business training course, Damian met his mentor Charles Densham, a retired partner at Knight Frank LLP.Charles said,

“I have always been fascinated by the work that the Prince’s Trust does in Bristol so I was delighted to participate. Starting a business can be challenging enough, but when you have nothing but an idea you need guidance to make the idea work. When I met Damian I was bowled over by his enthusiasm and really wanted to help.”

Charles helped Damian pitch his business concept to the panel at the Trust and was awarded a grant to help start up Show Shine.
“Charles has helped me with writing formal letters, conducting market research, promoting my business and has helped me create contacts,” said Damian.

“I now think realistically about business and feel like I have progressed so much in the last six months.”

Damian has recently landed a contract with a l
local garage and regularly attends tailored business courses funded by the Trust.

Fresh Cleaning Online

Michael Thomas, 20, approached the Prince’s
Trust last August following a disappointing apprenticeship with a mechanical engineering company.

A lot of his friends had set up successful cleaning businesses and recommended the Trust to him for help starting up a similar business.

Michael had an initial interview and attended the four day business course before meeting Merchant Venturer Andrew Garrad, founder and director at Garrad Hassan, the world’s leading renewable energy consultancy.

Michael said:

“Andrew has helped get my cleaning business up and running. He helped me to realise that window cleaning is a competitive market and I had to offer my customers something different which is why I offer a service which is suitable to both commercial and domestic customers.”
Andrew and Michael meet up regularly to discuss how to take Fresh Cleaning forward.

“Andrew is very busy so it is amazing that he makes time for me. I wouldn’t be where I am now if it wasn’t for him,” Michael said.

Background to the Merchant Venturers

The Society of Merchant Venturers is an entrepreneurial and charitable organisation based in Clifton, Bristol.

It is made up of 77 prominent and talented men and women who contribute to the prosperity and well-being of the greater Bristol area and to help enhance the quality of life for all.

The Merchant Venturers work closely with the wider community and many of its members play prominent roles in Bristol’s commercial life and major institutions within the city.

Its key objectives are to:
• Contribute to the prosperity and well-being of the greater Bristol area through active support of enterprise and commercial and community activity
• Enhance the quality of life for all, particularly for the young, aged and disadvantaged
• Promote learning and the acquisition of skills by supporting education and encouraging entrepreneurs
• Act as effective stewards of the charitable trusts, heritage, ancient buildings and open spaces for which the society is responsible

History

Although there is no clear documentary evidence, the Society is believed to have evolved from a Guild of Merchants which existed in the 13th century.

The Merchants have played a huge part in the development of Bristol including the management of Bristol’s harbour and docks, funded the building of Clifton Suspension Bridge, helped to create the Great Western Railway and worked with the Bristol Corporation to put Clifton Down and Durdham Down under the control of a single Downs Committee.

The Merchants also funded John Cabot’s voyage of discovery to Newfoundland in 1497 and Captain James’ voyage in 1631 in search of the North West Passage.

More recently the Merchants have been involved in supporting Colston’s School, Colston’s Girl’s School and The Merchants’ Academy, funding the development of care homes for the elderly including Katherine House and donating grants to charitable causes such as the St Monica Trust and the Cote Charity.

To view Peter Durie’s obituary which featured in the Telegraph newspaper please click on the link above

The plan is to maintain and extend the school’s social diversity, enabling boys and girls from modest families to access educational opportunities which would not normally be affordable.

Details were announced tonight (March 17) by the Headmaster Peter Fraser and Chairman of Governors David Marsh at a special reception hosted by the Society of Merchant Venturers.

As trustees of Edward Colston’s original endowment, the Merchants have managed and supported the school since it was founded on the site now occupied by the Colston Hall.

The school moved to its present 30-acre site at Stapleton in1858 when the Merchants purchased the Bishop’s Palace and surrounding land.

Mr Fraser said: “Three hundred years ago Edward Colston had a vision that education was central to life chances.

“The foundation of Colston’s School in 1710, overseen by the Society of Merchant Venturers, immediately impacted on the lives of 100 poor boys.

“Colston’s in the modern age is an all-age, co-educational family school committed to ‘Education for Life’. It is committed to developing young people and challenging them to be the best they can be – and still impacts on lives.

“The Colston’s Foundation is without doubt an initiative clearly aligned with both the intentions and vision of the Founder.

“The aim is very simple – to create a sustainable income to support bursaries designed to widen access to a Colston’s education.

“The rationale – to maintain and extend our social diversity, to enable boys and girls from modest families to access educational opportunities which would not normally be affordable.

“Opportunities that will change lives.”

David Marsh explained that the school had started the re-engagement with former pupils last summer with a telethon. Sixth Form pupils were trained and employed to call all known Old Colstonians.

“Some of us watched them at work,” he said. “They were great, really professional, and did the groundwork for building up an electronic database in a format which is going to last for the next 300 years.”

Mr Marsh praised the Headmaster’s vision and drive in establishing the Foundation, and emphasised that the school’s financial success had generated  the funds to carry out major building developments over the past three years.

“Colston’s School is in good health financially and academically,” he added. “It is flourishing because of its record of providing a balanced and rounded education, bringing out the best in every pupil.

“With 800 boys and girls from nursery to sixth form, the school has doubled in size over the last 50 years. Colston’s will continue as an independent, all-age, co-educational, broadly-based school, reflecting the needs of parents and their sons and daughters.”

Mr Fraser added: “The Foundation will seek to invite all former pupils who are able and willing to enable others to access a Colston’s education which will have been a major influence in their lives.

“Their generosity will, I hope, reflect the tradition set by those who have supported the school over the last 300 years.”

He recorded his appreciation for the generosity shown in recent times by Paula Spielman, Kenneth Hilborne, Roger Newport, the Old Colstonian Society and the Society of Merchant Venturers.

“It is time for those who have benefited to be able to give something back,” Mr Fraser added. “In this I trust that the school’s motto ‘Go and Do Thou Likewise’ represents a call for every former pupil to consider how they might respond.”

The school’s Tercentenary celebrations began last Saturday with a concert at the Colston Hall where 300 musicians and singers performed two contrasting works, Rutter’s arrangement of spirituals ‘Feel the Spirit’ and Mahler’s 2nd Symphony the ‘Resurrection’.

To make progress in answering this question, the Merchant Venturers sponsored a research programme, bringing together studies from Bristol University and Quartet Community Foundation.

The studies, which generated considerable media exposure and discussion at the beginning of 2010, highlight the fact that while many children sail through the move to secondary school, others lack the emotional resilience required to handle the adjustment well.

The University’s study cites a 1999 report from Cambridge University which estimated that up to 40 per cent of pupils failed to make expected progress during the year after moving to secondary school.

More recent work, also from Cambridge, found that 30 per cent of pupils made no progress in mathematics between Years 6 and 7 and 50 per cent made none in English or science.

The Bristol studies identify a ‘two-tribe’ characteristic in the UK education system that works against the academic and emotional interests of many children at a challenging period in their lives.

A primary-secondary divide is apparent in everything from curricula to teacher education and from school governance to the way most local education authorities are organised.  

The studies acknowledge that worthwhile efforts are under way in Bristol and elsewhere to improve links between the primary and secondary stages.

These include the development of all-through schools and partnerships or federations of schools, together with exchanges of primary and secondary school pupils, teachers and governors. But the studies call for such changes and experiments to be focused more specifically on easing the transition for pupils and reducing its negative effects on performance, learning and wellbeing.  

The studies say children should not have to cope with an abrupt shift from child-centred approaches at primary school to subject-centred ones at secondary school.

Primary and secondary teachers should be given the support they need to collaborate on smoothing the path between Key Stages 2 and 3, especially in mathematics and English. 

Together they could resolve the tensions between different approaches to learning.   Policy makers and governors should consider arranging for children to transfer to secondary school in June rather than September, according to the studies, thus allowing more time for induction and adjustment.

Some particularly vulnerable children will find the transition difficult no matter how well schools and local education authorities manage it. For them, the Quartet Community Foundation study suggests, a properly funded approach to personal support and mentoring, often involving the children’s families too, is urgently required.

Finding ways to improve the transition from primary to secondary school is of great importance to the Merchant Venturers as we sponsor an Academy in south Bristol.

Our experience is that many children have limited understanding of what’s expected of them at secondary school. Clearly, more should be done, both before they arrive and once they get there.

We need far stronger partnerships between the primary and secondary levels and more imaginative approaches to governance.

We sponsored these studies because we can’t sit back and allow a portion of each new generation to be lost.

We believe that nationally, not just in Bristol, policies and practices need to be sharpened up to make the primary-secondary transition an inspiration to young people, not a tribulation for them.  

Trevor Smallwood, Immediate Past Master, Society of Merchant Venturers

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Shock-big-school-scare-Bristol-pupils-doing/article-1762445-detail/article.html

http://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2010/6804.html

Katherine House sits on Cote grounds adjacent to Cote House, a 17th century home that was once the Robinson’s family home.

Cote has a strong history in the city and before Katherine took ownership of the home it belonged to some of Bristol’s most famous families. The deeds to Cote date back to 1656. Since that time its owners have included Thomas Moore, John Eldridge and Jean Anderson. The house has gone through a series of transformations, from a farm house to a gentleman’s residence.

The most famous owner was George Walters Daubeny who bought Cote in 1807.When George died in 1919 he left behind no wife or children so his possessions were put up for auction at the Cote Sale.

The sale was the talk of the town and incredible pieces of furniture and other household items were sold to the highest bidders. A Chippendale table went for £370 and an 1804 silver tray was bought for £560. This was the highest price paid for silver at this time.

Cote passed on to the Robinson family and Harold Robinson, his wife Richenda and their children Phillip, Anne, Elizabeth and Michael lived there for many years.

The Robinson family is well known in Bristol. The family first put down roots in the city in 1844 when Elisha Smith Robinson came to Bristol as a paper merchant. In 1884 he established E.S. and A. Robinson with his brother Alfred and sons Arthur and Edward.The company specialised in the production of paper bags. These were used for all kinds of purposes from commercial sacks for flour and sugar down to little brown bags used in shops. The company grew fast and eventually became the second biggest company in Bristol after Imperial Tobacco, employing over 800 people.

E.S. & A. Robinson’s name can still be seen on some of the buildings in Bristol today. The company had factories in Bristol city centre and East Street in Bedminster. The Robinson’s most substantial building on the corner of Redcliffe Street and Victoria Street was demolished during the War. An office block now stands in its place and the factory on East Street has been turned into flats.

Edward Robinson son of Elisha Smith Robinson married Catherine Francis Gotch in 1853. They later had children, four of whom were Harold, Foster, Percy and Katherine.From 1919 Harold Robinson and his family enjoyed a happy life at Cote until Richenda died in 1950 of ill health, leaving Harold alone for four years until he passed away in 1954. The children had all left home by this time and had families of their own.  The future of Cote was looking very bleak.

Harold’s sister Katherine, known as Aunt K and a musically gifted, philanthropic and an eccentric woman, did not want to see the house and its beautiful grounds fall into the hands of commercial developers. She bought the house and land on her brother Harold’s death in 1954 for £12,500.

Katherine had witnessed the devastating effect that the death of Richenda had had on Harold and wanted to provide a place for other people to live to help ease their loneliness.

Katherine approached The Society of Merchant Venturers for assistance. Some of her brothers and uncles were Merchants and so Katherine knew that they were helping many other charities in Bristol and were known for their pioneering and philanthropic nature.

In 1968 the Cote Charity was born. Katherine turned the house into flatlets for older people who needed small, manageable and convenient accommodation. She was offering a chance to be a part of another kind of family in the beautiful setting of Cote’s grounds.Katherine’s kindness in wanting to look after her family, her family home and invite others to enjoy it reveals a lot about who she was and although there are many gaps in her history she must have been a remarkable woman.

Elizabeth, Katherine’s niece wrote in April 1971:  “Cote House exists now because of the generosity and imagination of Katherine Gotch Robinson.

My parents would be delighted with the end product, Cote’s role today.” In the 1960s New Cote, a home to provide additional residential care to older people, was built next to Cote House.

Katherine House will replace New Cote and provide state of the art accommodation and facilities for 40 older people.

Katherine’s brothers Foster and Percy Gotch Robinson were presidents of The Grateful Society in 1912 and 1925 respectively. The charities established a strong link between one another, which remains to this day: the Grateful Society has provided a large donation to Katherine House.

The Society of Merchant Venturers remains the Trustees of Cote Charity and is also an integral part of Cote charity. Giles Clarke, Chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board and Senior Warden at the Society of Merchant Venturers had the honour of officially opening Katherine House.

The event was especially significant as Katherine Gotch Robinson is Giles’ Great Great Aunt. Giles Clarke said:  “This new building is helping to provide a valuable service to the older people of Bristol. I am so pleased to be part of something so closely linked to my family and want to show my support for Katherine’s kindness.”

The Society of Merchant Venturers which sponsors the secondary school with Bristol University, is aiming to raise £2 million through charitable donations to help support students.

This follows the initial £2 million it put in to set up the academy.

The first £40,000 in the endowment fund has been raised through the initiative of Past Master of the Merchant Venturers Trevor Smallwood, who encouraged a dozen members to come together to run the Bristol Half Marathon in September.

Mr Smallwood said: “Myself and many of the other merchants try to keep active, so we decided that running the half marathon would be a good way to raise some funds for the academy, as well as testing our levels of fitness. It was a tough challenge but we were kept motivated by the thought that any money we raised would help the students of the academy.

“We hope that the efforts of those who raised this money will inspire others to support the fund, which I am sure will continue to grow over time.”

Academy principal Stephen Kings said: “The endowment fund will be an incredibly valuable asset to the academy, and we wish to thank our sponsors for their continued support, for which we are very grateful.”

The academy has spent £4,000 from the fund on individual music lessons.

Academy director for Years 8 and 9 Neil Tamlyn said: “Music is such a beneficial subject for students, as it is active and practical and strengthens their understanding of literacy and mathematics. However, it can be seen as an exclusive subject, only accessible to those who have the money to pay for lessons and this is something we really want to get away from.

“The academy has invested quite a bit of money to develop extensive music provision.”

Five Merchants have become mentors in a support programme, offering one-to-one business coaching and ongoing support for young entrepreneurs.

Andrew Nisbet, Chairman of the Youth Committee, is one of the five mentors to have trained for the role and will be mentoring Lucy Bember, who recently achieved her dream of opening her own salon ICON Beauty on Gloucester Road.

“I’m very proud to be working in partnership with the Prince’s Trust”, said Mr Nisbet.  “The programme fits extremely well with the ethos of the Society of Merchant Venturers.”

“Rather than just providing monetary support, we are passing on our own knowledge and expertise and giving guidance and advice to help develop successful business men and women of the future.

“We hope the programme becomes a recognised route to improving the entrepreneurial spirit of young people in the greater Bristol area.”

The annual event, which includes a ceremonial procession of up to 70 Merchants in morning dress, is a celebration of the Society being granted its charter by Edward VI in 1552.

It also celebrates Bristol’s strong traditions, heritage and pioneering spirit which underpins the important work the Society does in the city today.

Following the ceremony, Colin Skellett will be formally elected as the new Master of the Society of Merchant Venturers for the next 12 months. His priorities will include the continued support of education – including the Merchants’ own academy – to charitable trusts, youth groups, business and enterprise as well as  providing care and services to the city’s older people.

Mr Skellett said the Merchants are proud of the positive contribution they are making to the lives of many young people in Bristol by enriching their learning experience.

He said: “Since we launched the £29 million Merchants’ Academy in Withywood in September 2008, there has been strong progress. Individual Merchants are making a very significant personal commitment to this Academy, driven by a desire to achieve a strong, sustainable trend of improvement.

“A year after moving into the state sector, Colston’s Girls’ School has seen incredible demand for places and an ambitious plan to grow from 400 to 720 pupils by 2013.

“The £11.2 million investment to further develop the school is well underway. This will include a new arts building, the creation of laboratories and a new library.

”One of the ongoing priorities of the Society is the care of the city’s older residents through its support of organisations such as the St Monica Trust, Cote Charity and the Society’s own almshouses.

Mr Skellett said: “The Almshouses entrusted to the Society are facing further changes.  A major redevelopment plan is on the horizon that will enable the charity to meet the needs and demands associated with sheltered housing, yet without losing that very special spirit and link that exists within the Society.

”A particular priority for the coming year will be encouraging young enterprise – working with the Prince’s Trust and others to help young people become the entrepreneurs of the future.

ENDS

Trevor will be visiting a new legacy centre in the village of Cupids in Newfoundland, close to the secluded cove where Bristol merchant John Guy, a Merchant Venturer, and a party of 38 intrepid colonists landed in August 1610.

Trevor has been invited by Cupids 400, a group set up in Newfoundland to celebrate the quadricentennial of the founding of the colony.

John Guy, who later became Master of the Merchant Venturers and also MP for Bristol, was the first governor of the settlement.

The determined colonists set sail from Bristol in July 1610 with the intention of starting a fishing and farming community and also trading with Newfoundland’s indigenous Beothuk people.

Their inspirational story – they endured harsh winters, crop failures, scurvy and pirates – will be commemorated at the centre, which will also house 140,000 artifacts uncovered in archaeological digs at the site of the settlement.

Trevor Smallwood said: “John Guy and his fellow brave settlers embody Bristol’s proud maritime and mercantile heritage and its pioneering spirit.

“Their struggle to survive thousands of miles from their home city in often terrible conditions is among the most inspiring stories to come out of the city’s long and colourful history.

“So it is a great honour to be invited to Cupids to what is in effect the start its 400th anniversary celebrations.

“The legacy centre will demonstrate for generations to come the important roles of the city of Bristol and the Merchant Venturers in the foundation of Canada and the British Empire.”

The plaque unveiling ceremony takes place on November 3 and will also be attended by a number of Canadian dignitaries.

Celebrations during August next year will include arts and music festivals, historical re-enactments featuring professional performers, an educational programme for students throughout Canada and a genealogy program to help local families trace their roots.

Ends

Louis Sherwood was born in Hammersmith, London in 1941. He attended Westminster School where he was a Queen’s Scholar and ultimately became Captain of the School. He obtained an open major scholarship to New College, Oxford, where he read Classics and graduated with a Double First, gaining a Master of Arts the following year.

Having been awarded a prestigious Harkness Fellowship, he travelled to the West Coast of America to study for two years at Stanford Business School, becoming one of only a handful of international students there at that time.

While many of his Stanford contemporaries went on to set up small businesses, Louis Sherwood returned to London and, in 1965, took up employment with the merchant bank Morgan Grenfell, so beginning an association with financial services – one of the two mainstream business activities with which he was connected throughout his career.

His contemporaries must have thought he was set for a high-flying career in the City, but after three successful years he turned instead to a career in retail business management.

Working with the entrepreneur Jim Gulliver of Associated British Foods, he rapidly learned the skills of supermarket trading, first with Associated’s Fine Fare chain and later with its Melias convenience store business.

Within four years he had joined Cavenham Foods, led by the high profile entrepreneur, James Goldsmith. He later described this as the best thing he ever did in his business life, finding Goldsmith as an inspirational person and an exciting, if demanding, individual to work for. Louis Sherwood rapidly became a director of various companies within Goldsmith’s Anglo-Continental Group and grew both the insurance broking and property development arms of the business.

When Goldsmith acquired the Grand Union Group in America in the mid 1970s, Louis Sherwood was sent to be senior Vice-President in charge of development. He was to spend 10 very successful business years in the US, his final four with the Great Atlantic and Pacific group, which had a nationwide chain of 1,200 stores and sales of more than £10 billion. He was appointed group president in 1985.

By this time, Louis Sherwood and his French wife Nicole, who he had married while still in London, had a young family. He was keen to move back to England to give his children the benefit of an English education and as a result the family settled in Bristol in 1988 where he had been headhunted to run Gateway, the Bristol-based supermarket chain and forerunner of the current Somerfield group.  Within a year Gateway had been taken over and Louis Sherwood found himself looking for a new job. It was at this point in his life that his career took a fresh turn – one which was to benefit the city which he had made his home.

Deciding to move on from executive roles and directly managing businesses, he began a 20-year career as a non-executive director, using his skills and expertise in businesses as varied as Clerical Medical Insurance, Wessex Water and maintenance and construction group ROK.

Perhaps his most significant non-executive role was with commercial television broadcaster HTV, where he was group chairman between 1991 and 1997.

He is widely credited with overseeing its rescue from bankruptcy and establishing it as a hugely-successful media organisation. It was the last of the independent regional TV groups to be absorbed into a national operator. When it was acquired by United News & Media in July 1997, he became chairman of HTV West, the HTV Regional Advisory Board for the West of England, a role he continued until November 1999.

In his 20 years in Bristol, Louis Sherwood’s work for the city and wider region demonstrated a commitment to improvement and lasting change for the better for his adopted home and its citizens. This began with significant time devoted to education; as a governor and member of Council at Clifton College from 1992, and later as a member of the governing body of the University of the West of England of which he remained until his death. He was also a trustee and deputy Chairman of the Merchants’ Academy and a trustee of the Hanover Foundation.

He also served as a non-executive director of the United Bristol Hospitals Trust (now University Hospitals Bristol) and through that role became involved with the Bristol Urological Institute. He was closely involved with the Saint Monica Trust, where he was a trustee, and worked to assist in the rapid expansion of healthcare for elderly people in Bristol. He was also a trustee of the ss Great Britain Trust and Bristol Cultural Development Partnership.

But perhaps his most enduring legacy is his commitment to cultural development and improvement. Early on, he became a leading figure in the then Bristol Chamber of Commerce (now GWE Business West). He was the main instigator of cultural initiatives such as @Bristol, which he helped launch in 1995/96, and the Bristol Cultural Development Partnership, where he was a director.   He was also a leading proponent of the bid to develop a new showpiece concert hall for the city and it was not for want of trying that the scheme did not ultimately succeed.

As a member of Bristol’s Society of Merchant Venturers, he became the Master in 2003. The energy that he had demonstrated in so many other areas of activity was visible in his period of office, as significant reorganisations were made. The partnership between the Society and the establishment of the Merchants’ Academy at Withywood, where he made a substantial financial as well as personal commitment, were ventures in which he played a central part.

In 2004 he was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Business Administration by University of the West of England and this year Bristol University made him Doctor of Laws in recognition of his outstanding personal achievements and his contribution to the advancement of the cultural, educational and business interests of Bristol and its region.

A keen mountain walker and linguist, he enjoyed collecting fine wine and was the past Maître of the Commanderie de Bordeaux in Bristol. He will be remembered as a remarkably generous man, of enormous energy, and incisive judgement. He is survived by his wife, a son and two daughters.

The appointment took place at a ceremony after the Society’s historic Charter Day service at Bristol Cathedral where Trevor, together with two Wardens, twelve assistants and the Treasurer were sworn in for the next year.

One of Bristol’s outstanding entrepreneurs, Trevor demonstrated formidable energy and strategic focus, in building one of the nation’s leading transport groups – FirstGroup – with turnover exceeding £2 billion.

The appointment reflects the changing direction and focus for the Merchant Venturers, attracting significant entrepreneurs and the ‘movers and shakers’ in today’s economy, who not only demonstrate enterprise but are committed to helping others and society in general.

Their focus is now firmly fixed on enterprising achievement – and a strong dedication to good causes. Trevor’s appointment exemplifies this with his close involvement in Colston’s Girls’ School and the Quartet Community Foundation.

“My term as Master of the Merchant Venturers begins during one of the most exciting and productive periods in the Society’s recent history,” said Mr. Smallwood.

“The launch of the two new Academies sponsored by the Merchants marks a new highpoint in our long term support for education in Bristol.”

This year, students from Colston’s and Colston’s Girls’ School were joined, for the first time, by students from the new Merchants’ Academy in Withywood which is also sponsored by the Merchants.

All the students received buns and shillings, a tradition thought to have derived from a similar custom practiced at the Christ’s Hospital.

The students are given a cake and a small bun, the ‘starver’ which they are allowed to eat to stave off hunger while the cake was to be taken home. At the same time each Colston pupil is given two shillings (ten pence) to fulfil the wishes of two benefactors of the school, William Vaughan and Philip Jones.

A recent gift from Merchant Denis Burn, ensured that the Merchants’ Academy students also joined in with the custom of receiving buns and shillings, together with the pupils of the Colston’s Schools.

“Looking forward to 2009, we will continue to maintain our focus on enhancing the quality of life for local people with special attention being given to the young, old and disadvantaged.

“The new generation of Merchant Venturers is well equipped to achieve this and I am confident that we can continue to play a vital role in encouraging talented men and women to give their time and expertise to focus on the challenges facing the City.”

ENDS

The silver memento is a reproduction of the special numbered tokens crafted for the 50 original Bristol citizens, who donated £50 each making possible the building of the theatre on King Street in 1766.

Originally, each supporter (only 49 paid in the end) was given a share in the theatre and a numbered silver token that gave them ‘sight’ of every performance in the Theatre Royal. These are still honoured when presented today.

In order to secure its future, Bristol Old Vic has decided to revisit its past and issue a further 50 solid silver tokens, each individually hand-crafted and numbered from 51 – 100.

The presentation was made by Dick Penny, Executive Chair of the Bristol Old Vic to Nick Hood, Master of the Merchant Venturers. Also present was Trevor Smallwood, the Merchants’ Senior Warden who has already been presented with a silver token in recognition of his personal donation to the theatre.

Dick Penny said: “With 12 Bristol merchants numbering amongst the theatre’s 50 original benefactors, it is appropriate that the Merchant Venturers are amongst the first to support our new fundraising initiative.

“We urgently need these funds to support the redevelopment of one of the most historic buildings in Bristol and to secure a future for exciting and innovative theatre in the city.

“We are extremely grateful to the Merchant Venturers and many other supporters – with their help we can take the theatre forward into the 21st century and beyond.”

Nick Hood said: “We owe an immense debt to the forward thinking men and women who supported the creation of this beautiful theatre.

“We are inspired by Bristol Old Vic’s development vision, creating a new theatre concept for making, showing and sharing productions. We share the enthusiasm of the Bristol public for the theatre’s bold plans.”

The Merchant Venturers involvement with Bristol Old Vic extends to the newly created Merchants’ Academy in Withywood. The theatre will be working with staff and students to create four new pieces of theatre for performance at the school at the end of the year. The BOV Young Company will also be forming its first satellite Youth Theatre in Withywood.

ENDS

The trust , which was founded in 2000 to address the cultural needs of Somali children in Bristol, now has a 150-place supplementary school, parents forum and youth group which all work together to help raise the attainment of Somali youngsters.

The donation from the Merchants’, which totalled £12,000, has been delivered over a two year period and has helped Amana to take on its own premises, on Grosvenor Road in St Pauls, as well as a paid administrator.

Richard Thickpenny, executive co-ordinator at Amana, said: “With the help of the Merchants’ funding we have been able to position the organisation to respond directly to the needs of our community.

“We now have a new management committee which has given us strategic direction. We are also working closely with key partners across the city including Barnardo’s, the Local Education Authority and the University of the West of England.

“Amana is well known in the community and has really started to bridge the gap between schools and Somali families, this can only help to raise education standards and in turn offer a better quality of life for Bristol Somalis.”

Current projects Amana has co-ordinated include; a Somali Youth Forum, Education Awareness Days (where Somali parents learn to understand the differences between SATs, GCSEs and A Levels), adult education programmes and an initiative to help educate Somali families dealing with Autism.

Nick Hood, Master of the Society of Merchant Venturers, said: “What Amana are doing for their community strongly relates to a core objective of the Society – to promote learning and the acquisition of skills by supporting education.

“By directly responding to the needs of the community, Amana has been able to support members of the Somali community to understand the English education system and to help key education professionals understand the needs of the Somali children in Bristol schools.”

“We wish them all the very best for the future.”

For further information on Amana visit www.amana.org.uk or call 0117 955 0456.

To find out more about the Society of Merchants Venturers, its members and key priorities visit www.merchantventurers.com

In attendance were senior representatives from the design, construction and project management companies, who completed the £29 million school.

Co-sponsored by the Society of Merchant Venturers and the University of Bristol, the Merchants’ Academy is the first school of its kind in South Bristol to be run by an independent trust.

The Academy is a state-of-the-art facility of seven separate pavilions built around an attractive courtyard. At capacity, it will have 1,150 students.

The Academy has a campus feel with plenty of internal and external open space, providing a safe and enjoyable place for students to remain throughout the school day.

Denis Burn, Chairman of the Merchants’ Academy, said: “The Merchants’ Academy is inspired by a vision to make a real difference to the lives of local young people.

“We are delighted with the quality of the design and build of the new school. An enormous amount of hard work has resulted in an environment for a 21st-century education, which this part of Bristol particularly needs.”

The Merchants’ Academy will specialise in enterprise and skills, drawing on its links with the Society of Merchant Venturers and the University of Bristol and, through them, with local employers.

The buildings have been specifically designed for an active but personal approach to education with a number of break-out areas. Particular attention has been paid to integrating new students, with a dedicated Year 7 building, which will ease the step up from primary school.

Technology is also a fundamental part of the learning environment at the Merchants’ Academy. There is a learning resource centre full of computers, which is the size of seven classrooms.

There are also projectors in every classroom and teachers will all have laptops, so they are able to conduct their lessons in a very interactive way.

Nick Hood, Master of the Merchant Venturers, said: “The opening of the Merchants’ Academy coincides with the launch of the UK’s first all girls’ Academy at Colston’s Girls’ School. These changes will help transform the quality of secondary education in Bristol and reflect the energy and commitment the Society of Merchant Venturers has to education.

“We are immensely proud of this wonderful new school which has been delivered on time and on budget.”

But the work has not stopped there. All-weather sports facilities will replace the former Withywood Community School, once the students have started at the new Academy,and an Army Cadet Force unit will also be based on the site.

The project to build the new school was completed by main contractor, Cowlin Construction and project managed by Capita Symonds.

ENDS

Employers from across Bristol are answering the call to get involved in one of the city’s newest schools.

Staff from more than 30 different companies will soon be working with students in one of Bristol’s most deprived areas to raise levels of academic achievement and boost aspirations for the future.

From September the new Merchants’ Academy in Withywood will welcome lawyers, financial services staff and others into a new school that puts enterprise and skills at the heart of the daily timetable.

Sponsored by the Society of Merchant Venturers and the University of Bristol, this is believed to be the first academy of enterprise and skills in the country. One of the first tasks will be to explain what that means.

“It’s about passing on business skills such as decision making, communication and leadership in order to boost confidence, says Michelle Cook, the director of enterprise and skills at Merchants’ Academy. “But it’s also about broadening horizons for those young people. I think business provides a very positive role model – it’s good for young men and women to see people at work and to see what the opportunities for their own futures could be.”

Many of the businesses who have pledged to support Merchants’ Academy, which will operate independently of local authority control, are giving financial support. But, just as importantly, they are also giving their time and skills. Michelle said: “There is financial support but the major area of support is that people have put a lot of goodwill and time into the organisation.”

Volunteers from the businesses will be closely involved in helping to nurture a spirit of enterprise. That will initially happen through initiatives such as one-to-one and group mentoring, extended work experience, and numeracy and literacy coaching. But as time goes on that will be extended.

“I would like to see in two to three years time a situation where it is commonplace for schools to be going up and talking to business people and for business people to come in and be involved in all the lessons,” said Michelle.

“They will help us to show our students that they are not doing geography, for example, for the sake of it, but to show there are some key skills there that will be of real use in the future.”

Volunteers from law firm Burges Salmon, the Bank of Ireland and legal expenses company DAS are being trained by specialist consultancy Hanover Partnership to mentor stuudents at the new academy. Initially Year 11 students will be mentored, but in the future the scheme will extend to Year 10 students as well.

Merchants’ Academy governor Margaret Speirs, who has worked to involve businesses with the school, says the scheme is about supporting individual students rather than simply giving help with homework.

“We’re initially training about 40 people to help students by equipping them to get more out of things such as work experience; it’s about life coaching skills.”

New kinds of work experience will be developed that aim to give students a real taste of the workplace. Long-term placements, which could see students spending up to two mornings a week for a term shadowing workers are among the possibilities currently being considered.

Five senior women executives from DAS Legal Expenses Insurance have volunteered to have individual students shadow them over a period of time.

Margaret said: “I think there would be a great benefit for girls in particular to get some insight into what it is like being a senior successful woman in the workplace.”

“It would be fantastic if we could enable every one of our young people to have a supportive professional relationship with people they can aspire to working with.”

Bristol University, co-sponsor of the new academy, will be offering work experience alongside other educational initiatives.

Younger students will also benefit. Numeracy and literacy ‘buddies’ will work initially with Year 7 students to make numbers and reading fun. In the medium-term, the scheme will be extended to include Year 8 students.

The Bank of Ireland will also continue the work it previously did with Withywood Community School, supporting the school’s personal and social teaching in areas from personal finance to macro-economics.

“We want to make sure we are delivering critical thinking skills to our young people in such a way that is appealing and educational,” said Michelle.

“We need to equip them with the skills they need in order to go out and be enterprising. There is a lot of room for work in the areas of self-esteem, communication and personal pride.”

And this is just a beginning. “We are very fortunate in that we have a lot of interest,” added Michelle. “I think the opportunities are huge. What we’re doing now is just the tip of the iceberg.”

This all represents a huge commitment to the area by some of Bristol’s leading employers. But both Michelle and Margaret believe the businesses will also stand to gain through giving to the community.

“I think businesses have a lot to learn from young people, about this generation,” said Michelle.

“I think businesses are going to have to go a long way in terms of their own problem-solving skills and communication in order to make this work for them and for the students. Their investment into the community will be valued and I believe their individual staff will get a lot of satisfaction from the progress of the young people.”

Margaret said: “Bank of Ireland’s previous experience is that their staff have gained in confidence in an area they wouldn’t have usually thought they could contribute.

“It is a great boost for your own self esteem and confidence in the workplace and I think Bank of Ireland feels it’s good for their staff to be doing something completely different and to be doing it successfully.

“Other firms are saying that their younger staff in particular want to feel they are contributing to the greater good of the community in some way.”

There is no mistaking that this is a radical new approach to the way businesses and education work together. But it is in the practice rather than the theory that this new school will prove itself in the years to come – and in the outcomes for its students.

Michelle said: “Ultimately, it’s about preparing those young people for making active and positive choices and leading fulfilling lives, in whatever capacity they see that.”

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The culture and focus of the organisation have evolved significantly in recent years as the Merchants look to help tackle some of the key threats and opportunities facing the greater Bristol area.

How times are changing. For five centuries Bristol’s Merchant Venturers were reticent about releasing their names – now they are not only releasing their membership list for the first time, but putting their biographies onto a brand new website launched this week (Merchantventurers.com.)

Nick Hood the current Master of the Merchant Venturers explains: “Publishing our members’ names is a very small thing – but it reflects a much greater change in the culture and approach of our organization.”

The list of names makes interesting reading. The organisation comprises a broad cross section of prominent and successful men and women from across the Bristol area with significant charitable and educational interests.

Together with some of the region’s leading entrepreneurs and business leaders there are university professors and directors of NHS Trusts.

“Our membership reflects the make-up of the economic and civic life in the greater Bristol area. The economic life of this region was for a considerable period dominated by a small number of traditional industries, including shipping, packaging and tobacco.

“The cigarette industry alone provided some 40,000 local jobs in its heyday – with maybe three times this number indirectly dependent on this one trade,” explains Nick Hood. He describes the membership of the merchants being drawn historically from a small ‘cocoon of enterprise’.

Bristol has seen these ‘bastion’ industries reduced, with their dominance replaced by new industries, including highly successful legal, accountancy, creative, media, hi tech and specialist manufacturing businesses.

“Our membership has evolved to reflect these new entrepreneurs,” says Nick Hood. “We are increasingly attracting younger men and women who are people of enterprise, risk takers – which is what the Merchant Adventurers are about.”

Awarded their Royal Charter by Edward VI in 1552, the Merchants Venturers were at the centre of establishing Bristol as a great maritime city with an enterprising impulse. From inspiring John Cabot’s voyage to the New World to helping finance the Great Western Railway and the ss Great Britain, the Merchants ran the Port of Bristol until the early 19th century.

With responsibility for the port of Bristol passing to the City Corporation, the Merchants have concentrated their energies on a range of altruistic priorities.

In recent years the Merchants have worked ever more closely with the wider community and the new website highlights their objectives, which are above all ‘to contribute to the prosperity and well being of the Greater Bristol area through active support of enterprise and commercial and community activity.’

There is a serious focus on enhancing the quality of life for local people, with special attention being given to ‘young, older and disadvantaged people.’

Also highlighted is ‘the promotion of learning and the acquisition of skills by supporting education and acting as effective stewards of the charitable trusts, heritage, ancient buildings and open spaces for which the society is responsible’.

Nick Hood explains: “The new generation of Merchant Venturers are more widely representative and their charitable and educational work has grown and is becoming better known. As a result perceptions of the organisation have changed considerably in recent years.”

The Merchant Venturers are led by a core of determined, highly motivated individuals that have embarked on a process of modernising the organisation – without losing its ‘mystery or heritage’. These individuals include the current Master, Nick Hood, Trevor Smallwood and Colin Skellett – together with the Treasurer Richard Morris.

“I believe that there is a vital role for the Merchants to play in encouraging some of the region’s most talented men and women to give their time, creativity and energies to focus on some of the great challenges facing Bristol and the city region.

“With a new spirit of openness and acceptance from key partners we are taking forward this commitment – we are in good shape to play our part in the ensuring the success of this great city into the 21st century.”

Education

Education is a key priority for the organisation. “Nothing is currently more important to the Merchant Venturers than seeing Bristol’s education system become one associated with high levels of achievement,” says Nick Hood.

The Merchant Venturers are committed to seeing that a step change in the quality of secondary education in Bristol is reflected in its provision of skills and resources to the state sector.

The Merchants are involved in sponsoring and supporting the development of two Academies, which are due to open in September 2008.

A capital commitment of £2million has been agreed by the Merchants’ in support of the new Merchants’ Academy in Withywood, which is due to replace Withywood Community School. Other significant additional resources and skills are also being provided by the Merchant Venturers and their co-sponsors, Bristol University for this project.

As a sponsor, the Merchants are heavily involved in all aspects of the Academy, chairing the Academy Trust and working closely with Bristol University, the Secretary of State for Education, Bristol City Council and the local community.

The Merchants also sponsor Colston’s Girls’ School, which is on track to become an Academy in September 2008. At the beginning of March, this school became one of the UK’s first Independent schools to sign an Academy Funding Agreement.

Care for Older People

Through some of the trusts which it administers the Merchant Venturers has been closely involved in the care of the elderly in Bristol for more than 350 years, initially as Trustee of the Merchants’ Almshouses in King Street and Colston’s Almshouses on St. Michael’s Hill. Both almshouses are currently undergoing various degrees of refurbishment and redevelopment to bring them fully up to the Government’s Decent Homes Standard.

Today its largest commitment to the elderly is the management of the very substantial endowment of the St Monica Trust. St Monica is a pioneer in the concept of providing independent living for the elderly and disabled.

The Trust runs two major developments in Westbury-on-Trym both providing a range of sheltered apartments with care and social amenities on site together with a modern care home. There is also a substantial development in the Bedminster area of Bristol which offers 121 ‘Extra care’ sheltered housing apartments. This service is, in part, run in partnership with the adult care department of Bristol City Council. Further, the Trust is presently developing a site at Sandford, North Somerset, which will provide a 108 unit retirement/care village and a separate specialist care home for 71 residents.

Between them they provide homes for over 800 people.

Through another trust, the Cote Charity, the Society administers Cote House, which provides 13 single and double sheltered apartments and a residential home accommodating 23 residents, adjacent to one another in Westbury-on-Trym. Plans are now well in hand to open in 2009 a new, dual purpose 40 bed residential home, to be known as Katherine House, to replace the current 23 bed home.

The new Merchant Venturers website can be found at www.merchantventurers.com

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The Merchants’ Academy in Withywood will be open to 130 new students in year seven and around 30 Sixth Formers this September, along with all those currently in years seven, eight nine and ten from Withywood Community School.

Co-sponsored by the Society of Merchant Venturers and the University of Bristol, the Merchants’ Academy will be the first school of its kind in South Bristol, independent of local authority control.

At capacity, it will have 1,150 students and will be a state-of-the-art education facility of seven separate pavilions build around an attractive courtyard.

Stephen Kings, the Principal Designate who was born and educated in Bristol, said: “We are working hard to develop an environment for a 21st century education which this area of Bristol particularly needs.

“The Academy will be more like an American-style campus with lots of internal and external open space providing a safe and enjoyable place for students to remain throughout the school day.

“The buildings have been specifically designed for an active but personal approach to education with a number of break-out areas. We have also paid particular attention to integrating new students and will have a dedicated year seven block, which will make the step-up from primary school that bit easier.”

Technology will also be a fundamental part of the learning environment at the Merchants’ Academy.

“We have a learning resource centre full of computers which will be the size of seven class rooms.

“There will also be projectors in every class room and teachers will all have laptops so they are able to conduct their lessons in a very interactive way – it will truly be a modern building with modern technology and teaching.”

In terms of the sporting facilities at the school, there is currently one pitch in place and when Withywood Community School is demolished, following the opening of the Academy, a further two pitches including all weather facilities will be constructed.

The Merchants’ Academy will specialise in enterprise and skills, drawing on its links with the Merchant Venturers and Bristol University, but it also hopes to nurture the more creative side of its students.

The school will have two drama studios and a number of fully kitted-out music practice rooms, and this creative environment has had the full backing of the future students. Their opinions were sought when artwork was commissioned on the entrance and throughout the school’s buildings.

A group of six future students of the Merchants’ Academy, currently studying art at Withywood Community School, worked with Ginkgo, a specialist independent art consultancy, to conduct some market research amongst students, teachers and local residents.

“The results were very interesting indeed,” said Stephen.

“The majority of those surveyed wanted to see the artwork provide a wow-factor to the new school and just under three quarters said that first impressions are important.

“Most interestingly 90 per cent said this could lead to a more positive attitude and behaviour in the new Academy.”

Following the research, artist Tod Hanson was commissioned to develop a piece of art for the front façade of the new Academy, as well as some murals for the interior of the building.

Tod has worked in many different settings, including the offices of ITV, the London School of Economics and the grounds of the stately home Cragside House. His work has also been shown in art galleries both in London and internationally.

Tod decided to create a mural that would highlight the location of the Academy in Withywood, as well as linking this with references to Bristol and the Academy sponsors.

Tod said: “The design of the mural is a combination of elements of the Merchants’ historic coat-of-arms, and stylised branches of a willow tree or withy clustered around the entrance to the building. These have been arranged to form a contemporary-style pattern of anchors, feathers, armour and other heraldic elements.

“When looking for inspiration I always go to the imagery that excites me most. For the Merchants’ Academy it struck me that it would be fun to play with elements of the Bristol and Merchant Venturers’ heraldry.

“The mural painting took two months to complete. I must have walked a few miles every day, carrying paint and brushes along each level. It was also quite dusty, noisy and windy on the four scaffold walkways.”

The removal of the scaffolding in recent weeks has meant that the artwork – complete bar a few finishing touches – can now be enjoyed by passers-by prior to the opening of the Academy later this year.

Stephen Kings commented: “We are very proud of the modern, vibrant artwork, we feel it really delivers the wow-factor that the students asked for.

“We hope that it will come to be seen locally as a landmark for Withywood and will be placed in high regard along with the reputation and standards within the Academy.” He concluded.

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Colston’s Girls’ School will become one of the UK’s first Independent schools to sign an Academy Funding Agreement – this enables the school to become an Academy from September 2008.

This formal signing coincides with the posting of the first offer letters to pupils from across Bristol to join the new Academy.

This announcement is the first in a year of dramatic changes for Bristol’s maintained sector – with the launch of Merchants’ Academy in Withywood and the Oasis Academies at Hengrove and Portway and the Cathedral School Academy.

Lesley Ann Jones, Colston’s Girls’ School’s Head Teacher said: “Our move from the Independent sector to achieving Academy status has been very carefully planned in the closest collaboration with our local authority partners – and our sponsors the Merchant Venturers.

“We are delighted to send out offers of 112 places to our new girls – and very much look forward to them joining us for the next exciting chapter in our school’s rich history.”

Trevor Smallwood, Chairman of the School’s Governors said: “I must congratulate our Head Teacher Lesley Ann Jones and her staff, who have worked tirelessly in shaping this exciting new future for our school.

“Also, to the School’s Governors and our sponsors, the Merchants Venturers, who have been single-minded in developing a successful strategy for the school’s future.”

Richard Morris, of the Merchant Venturers said: “We are now witnessing a dramatic change in the provision of state education in Bristol.

“The Merchant Venturers are committed to helping to move Bristol’s education system forward to one associated with high achievement. This is core to one of our main objectives to improve the quality of life and opportunities through learning and the acquisition of skills.

“We are deeply proud of our continuing role in supporting and sponsoring Colston’s Girls’ School and passionately wish the school well on the next stage in its journey.”

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Issued on behalf of the Colston’s Girls’ School.

MEDIA CONTACTS: IAN MUIR ON 0117 9200155/ MOBILE 07973 848376 (Merchant Venturers) or JENNY GEE ON 0117 923 2235/ MOBILE 07802 362 498 (Colston’s Girls’ School

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