The Samuel William Farmer Trust was founded in the 1920s in memory of Samuel Farmer, a well-known local farmer and charity worker who was born in Market Lavington in 1847.
Samuel had originally intended to become a doctor, but was unable to because of a lung condition.
On the death of his father in 1868 he took on the family butchery business and a 1,500 acre farm at Market Lavington, selling the butchery in 1874 to concentrate on farming.
In partnership with two other local businessmen Samuel expanded the farm business to 24,701 acres, as well as becoming an adviser to the Ministry of Agriculture.
His efforts to increase food production during the First World War were recognised with an OBE and he took great interest in Savernake Hospital, becoming a life governor in 1911.
The charity that bears his name was founded in 1928 to help the farming community and today is run mainly by Samuel Farmer’s descendants. The trustees meet twice a year to make grants to charities or individuals and are keen to hear from anyone who thinks they may be eligible for help from the Trust.
• For more information contact the secretary Mrs Melanie Linden-Fermor on 01380 813299 or visit the Charity Commission’s website.