THE Four Lanes Trust will mark its golden jubilee this summer with 50 extra grants of £250 being given to local groups.

The initiative comes in addition to the regular grants the trust releases, 

Founded by Christopher Makins in 1974, the trust enriches community life in Basingstoke and Deane through aiding groups in areas like education, arts and social action. The inaugural meeting was held on July 16, 1974, where the Horseshoe Theatre Company received the first £250 grant.

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Since then, the trust meets three times a year, giving about £10,000 each time and a total of over 1,816 grants adding up to almost £1.5m. Recipients range from schools, scout/guide groups, music, dance, theatre and youth groups to other community entities.

The recently formed 50th-Anniversary Small Grants Scheme will co-exist with the trust's existing grant programme where most grants range between £500 and £1,500.

If interested, community group members, school PTAs or community art groups are invited to apply at fourlanestrust.org.uk.

The application deadline is May 3, with notifications expected by July 19.