A CHARITY trust which helps community groups and schools in Ilminster has replaced a member it lost.

Trustee David Jones passed away and the trust has agreed that Katie Burling will join.

Katie is the grand-daughter of the late Archie Gooch, founder of the trust in 1998.

Other decisions taken at the trust’s recent meeting included approval of a £12,000 grant to the Friends of Greenfylde School.

This will assist in meeting the cost of essential repairs to the swimming pool building, so keeping it available to a wide cross section of Ilminster people.

This is one of several grants the trustees have made for the swimming pool in recent years.

A small grant was agreed to assist the Ilminster Fair Trade committee in providing publicity for its popular campaign and £2,500 was approved for the Minster to cover repairs to the large south window and investigations of the deteriorating slab floor to the crossing.

Consistent with the trust’s interest in helping Ilminster Town Football Club to relocate to new and improved facilities, the trustees also considered latest reports on the club’s preparations and agreed to an early meeting with club representatives.

Heather Virgin, trust chairman said: “We are sad to lose David Jones as one of our trustees and will miss his contributions.

However, we are very pleased to welcome Katie in his place, a new trustee with fresh ideas.

“With our most recent grants, which number eleven to date in 2014, including grants to Street Space and Vaughan Lee, it reaches a total value of £35,000.

“I am encouraged that the Gooch Trust is continuing to invest in Ilminster, through its organisations and clubs, and invite others with costed plans and proposals to apply to us.”