It’s all change at Four Lanes Trust Basingstoke as director Bob Carr retires after 18 years in post.

The organisation was founded in 1974 to donate money to improve the lives of the residents in Basingstoke and the surrounding district.

During his time as director, Bob has overseen the provision of just over £500,000 in grants to projects supporting local schools, community groups and the arts.

Bob said: “It has been a privilege, over the last 18 years, to meet so many volunteers who quietly and with good humour provide such care and opportunity for the inhabitants of our borough and to have been allowed an insight into the staggering amount of work that they do. The Four Lanes Trust has been providing grants since 1974 for schools, the arts, voluntary and community groups, which I know has helped groups to deliver and develop their service. Without the volunteers – where would we be?”

Due to current restrictions, the trust was unable to say farewell to Bob however trustees paid a visit to his home, while social-distancing.

Trustees said they'll miss his "local knowledge and wise counsel".

Dwight Makins said: “Bob spent 18 years as director of the Four Lanes Trust, during which time he earned the respect of the trustees and applicants alike for the clear, fair and efficient way he treated everyone. The trustees will miss his local knowledge and his wise counsel; however, we have found an excellent replacement in Anne Blackmore.”

Anne will be taking on the role, having previously worked for 19 years as manager of Shopmobility Basingstoke.

She said: "I am so pleased to be back in a community focused role. There is only one way to find out what really happens in the community and that is to work within it. There are so many amazing people and projects in Basingstoke that the wider public are simply not aware of. I am really looking forward to finding out about these groups, meeting the people involved and learning about the fantastic work they do.”

At the November meeting of the Trust a total of £12,433 was awarded to: Little Apples of Bramley, Cranbourne School, KIDS Basingstoke, Top of the Town Studios and Galleries, The Pied Piper Theatre Company, MHA-Live at Home Scheme, The Warren Youth Club, Spotlight UK, Tadley Community Centre, Kingsclere Village Club and Basingstoke & District Young Carers.

The next meeting of the Trust is in March 2021. If you are part of, or know a local school, community or arts organisation that could benefit from a grant from The Four Lanes Trust contact Anne: ablackmore@fourlanestrust.org.uk or visit the website for more information www.fourlanestrust.org.uk.