Weds 18th March 2026
The presentation this week was given by Beth Rice (CEO) and Louise Brangwin (Projects Manager) of The Mildred Trust based in Tenterden. It is a local charity supporting families in need in the surrounding rural communities, and is the charity chosen by the WBG chair, Tara Willington-Mace, for support during her tenure.
Beth explained that the charity originated in 2003 as a result of a legacy left to St Mildred’s Church, Tenterden for the purpose of granting financial help to local families and individuals in need. It remained low key, but calls on the Trust ballooned in Lockdown in 2020 from poorer families in rural areas now isolated with primary school children no longer having access to school dinners. The Trust set up a free food bank, The Old School Larder, comprising donated healthy produce , but it was also necessary to buy in food to meet the demand in this difficult time from families and both the old and young.
After lockdown the Trust expanded to meet demand and become more effective. This included the appointment of of Beth Rice as CEO who has considerable senior level experience in this sector, particularly in seeking out and obtaining grant funding. Last year Louise Brangwin joined as Projects Manager, running a variety of the Trust’s activities.
Louise detailed some of these activities….
- The Old Schoolhouse Larder
- Community Fridge/Freezer
- Community pop-up shops
- School holiday activities for kids
- Recipe bags
- Community garden
Beth and Louise also explained the focus on sustainability at the Trust now, with the recent purchase of an electric van (used to run the pop-up shops) and the use of refillable glass bottles for the cleaning and hygiene products available in the shops and larder. The group were reassured that our contributions will be put to very good use.
