At the turn of the year, Herefordshire Community Foundation, HCF, begins a new chapter. Founded in 2002, it has steadily grown in importance under the stewardship of its Chief Executive, Dave Barclay. However, Dave is to retire in January 2017 and has been replaced by Jayne Porchester, who is already working alongside him, to ensure a smooth handover.

At the recent AGM, current Chairman, Nat Hone, stepped down and handed the baton to Frank Myers MBE. Other changes amongst the Trustees saw the appointment of Harrison Clark Rickerbys partner, Richard Morgan and the retirement of Ray Hunter on completion of his second three year term.

At a reception, afterwards, held jointly with the Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust, in the College Hall at the Cathedral, Frank paid tribute to the work of Dave, Nat and the chairmen before him, Ray Hunter and Laurence Banks. The reception was attended by Patron of the Foundation, HM Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire, Lady Darnley and Christine Forrester, Foundation Vice President and a Founder Member, one of the original Trustees in 2002.

Frank described HCF as a jewel in the crown of Herefordshire, but one of which many people are unaware. The remit he has been given by the Trustees is to widen the public knowledge of the Foundation, to generally raise its profile and further expand its portfolio. He welcomed the exciting new opportunity of working with Jayne and his fellow Trustees in achieving this.

To an audience of professional advisers, drawn from across Herefordshire, he explained that HCF works with individuals, families, trusts and businesses to make sure that money they put aside to help small charitable causes reaches the right people and makes a difference. In addition, The Foundation manages a variety of programmes, some of which are grant making and some of which are designed to support donors and philanthropists in their giving. Comic and Sport Relief funds are distributed via the Foundation. Help is distributed widely across the county in the pursuit of many good causes including the advancement of education, the protection of good health and the relief of poverty and sickness.

He urged everyone to familiarise themselves with the extensive information contained on the website www.herefordshirecf.org and to recognise the opportunities which are presented by even more active engagement and cooperation with other voluntary bodies who are all working to develop the wonderful county in which we live.