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Stratford-upon-Avon, Mayor's Fund

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Stratford-upon-Avon, Mayor's Fund: minutes, files and voucher books The Mayor's Fund was founded by John Mansell Smith in November 1921, on his election as mayor. He was concerned about the widespread poverty and distress in the town caused mainly by rising unemployment. Income came in the form of personal donations, gifts from local clubs and societies and money from fund-raising events. Cash was rarely distributed: most of the help was given in the form of tickets which could be exchanged for food or clothing. Two special funds were later formed and separately accounted for, one founded in memory of Alderman Robert John Knight (died 1978) and the other in memory of Malcolm Ray I (died 1986). A fund established in 1946 in memory of Alfred Mark Bailey was later reconstituted as a separate charity (DR1102/2).