The Harry Ree Trust, in the fourth year of its seven-year lifespan, was set up with Pounds 9,000 that had been raised from private donations. Since 1992, it has awarded 22 grants, ranging from Pounds 250 to Pounds 1,000, mainly to community schools and youth service projects. Awards are given to applicants who state a clear educational purpose and preference is given to community arts exchanges, involving young people who would otherwise not go abroad.
Projects that have received grants from the trust include: * Students from Cramlington Community High School in Northumberland. They took part in a German teacher’s initiative in the wake of the 1994 racist murders of Turkish workers in Solingen. The art and theatre project brought together nearly 50 youngsters from Germany, France, Britain and Israel.
* Drama students from Oldham College. They worked with Park Dean Special School pupils, most of whom were physically disabled. They went to the Normandy landing beaches to work on a theatre project about the Second World War.
* Next spring 10 students aged 15 to 19 involved in the Windmill Hill City Farm in Bristol will visit Zwolle City Farm in the Netherlands.
