Cory Environmental Trust in Southend-on-Sea is celebrating 10 years of giving this year, having provided over £1.1 million to worthwhile projects in the Borough since the Trust was set up in 1997.
Established in accordance with the Landfill Tax Regulations 1997 , the Trust distributes grants towards publicly accessible , environmental improvement schemes within the town. Funding for the Trust comes via Tax Credit contributions received from Cory Environmental , the Borough's Council waste management contractor.
In its first ten years of operation , the Trust has made grants totalling almost £1.2 million in support of 90 projects , benefiting the local community and environment by providing funding for renovation , conservation and educational schemes. In addition , grants totalling more than £0.5 million have been agreed for 22 on-going projects. Individual grants have been in the range of £1,000 -£57,000.
To celebrate the Trust's important 10 year milestone , Councillor Daphne White , the Mayor of Southend-on-Sea , joined past and present Trustees for the 10th anniversary lunch at Southchurch Hall. Afterwards guests relaxed in the fragrant atmosphere of the Hall's new "Tudor" style ornamental herb garden , built with Trust funding.
The " Endeavour" cockle boat , a past beneficiary of Trust funding , also treated trustees to a sea cruise from Leigh-on-Sea to the Kent coast. The "Endeavour" was one of the "little ships" that took park in the evacuation of Allied troops from Dunkirk in 1940. She was restored with the help of Trust funding in 2005 and made a return voyage to Dunkirk.
Stephen Newton , Cory Environmental Trustee , Southend-on-Sea , said:" Our sea-cruise on the restored "Endeavour" is symbolic of the ten years hard work by all those involved with the Cory Environmental Trust , which have made it so successful. Each year new projects benefit from trust funding , helping to restore buildings or objects of historical importance and contributing to the environmental and amenity needs of the people of Southend-on-Sea."
Malcolm Ward , Chief Executive Officer, Cory Environmental, said: " Since the introduction of the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme over ten years ago , Cory Environmental has worked with local councils to provide funding for worthwhile projects in the communities in which we operate. We have established a strong relationship with Southend-on-Sea Borough Council and hope that , with the continued support of volunteer trustees , we can continue to use such funds to enrich the lives of those living in the locality".
