The Miss Beryl Billings (known As Margot Boyd) Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £115,518 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (no public application process)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (trustee discretion)
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified - major capital grants to strategic projects
• Geographic Focus: Bath and surrounding areas

Contact Details

Email: ajm@stoneking.co.uk

Phone: 01225 337599

Registered Address: Upper Borough Court, Upper Borough Walls, Bath, BA1 1RG

Overview

The Miss Beryl Billings (Known As Margot Boyd) Charitable Trust was established in 2009 following the death of actress Margot Boyd (born Beryl Billings) in 2008 at age 94. Boyd, who performed in the West End, RSC, and BBC Radio 4's The Archers, was born and educated in Bath. She stated in her will that she wanted to encourage local people to experience the excitement of being involved in theatre.

The trust operates as a private limited company by guarantee with an annual income of approximately £112,000. It takes a strategic approach to funding, focusing on long-term partnerships with key Bath-based theatre organizations rather than making numerous small grants. The trust serves as a “keystone funder” for major theatrical initiatives in Bath.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates through strategic partnerships rather than defined grant programs, focusing on:

• Theatre Royal Bath - Engage Programme: Founded and continues to fund the adult creative learning programme (established 2010)
• Venue 4 Capital Project: Keystone funder of the £1.8m project creating a 40-seat community performance space (opening 2027)
• TRB Theatre School: Supporting theatrical education for young people aged 9-18

Priority Areas

• Advancing education in theatrical arts in Bath
• Promoting community participation in theatre
• Supporting actors facing sickness or financial hardship
• Creating infrastructure for grassroots theatre performers

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations outside the Bath area
• Activities unrelated to theatrical arts or actor welfare
• General charitable causes not connected to theatre
• Capital projects outside their strategic focus areas

Ready to write a winning application for The Miss Beryl Billings (known As Margot Boyd) Charitable Trust?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Join the Launch List

Governance and Leadership

Andrew John Mortimer - Secretary and Director (since 2009)

Partner at Stone King LLP, specializing in charity law and trust matters.

Judith Anne Pepler - Director (since 2009)

Based in Bath with connections to local charitable organizations.

Timothy Rutherford - Director (since 2022)

Partner at Stone King LLP with national reputation for advising charities.

No trustees receive remuneration. The trust operates without employees, with administrative support likely provided through Stone King LLP.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This trust does not have a public application process. Grants are made through trustee discretion to strategic projects aligned with Margot Boyd's vision. The trust identifies and supports organizations proactively rather than responding to unsolicited applications.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the trust's demonstrated funding patterns, organizations working in theatrical arts in Bath might:

• Build relationships with Theatre Royal Bath, the trust's primary beneficiary
• Focus projects specifically on the Bath community
• Demonstrate clear community participation elements
• Actors in need might contact trustees directly regarding individual grants

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - trustee discretion basis

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process

Application Success Factors

The trust's funding aligns with Margot Boyd's vision to “encourage local people to experience the excitement of being involved in theatre.” Success factors include:

• Participation over passive consumption: Projects should involve people in creating theatre, not just watching
• Local focus: Clear Bath community benefit is essential
• Strategic approach: The trust prefers major, transformational projects as a “keystone funder”
• Long-term commitment: Funded projects show multi-year vision (Engage since 2010, Venue 4 towards 2027)
• Professional management: Beneficiaries are established organizations with proven track records
• Partnership with Theatre Royal Bath: Many funded projects operate through this established institution

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process - operates through trustee discretion and strategic partnerships
• Bath-focused exclusively - all activities must serve the Bath community specifically
• Theatre participation priority - focus on involving people in theatre-making through education and community programmes
• Keystone funder approach - significant commitments to major projects rather than numerous small grants
• Theatre Royal Bath connection - partnerships with this organization may provide opportunities
• Multi-year vision - demonstrates long-term commitment to chosen initiatives
• Professional approach required - contact through Stone King LLP suggests formal governance expectations

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Backstage Trust
• Theatre Development Trust
• The Roger and Ingrid Pilkington Charitable Trust
• The Roper Family Charitable Trust
• The Williams Charitable Trust
• THE LINBURY TRUST
• THE MACKINTOSH FOUNDATION
• Theatre Development Trust (SOLT/UK Theatre)
• The Brownsword Charitable Foundation
• The Carr-Gregory Trust

References

1. Charity Commission for England and Wales - The Miss Beryl Billings (Known As Margot Boyd) Charitable Trust, Charity Number 1131146. Register of Charities. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1131146&subid=0

1. Companies House - The Miss Beryl Billings (Known As Margot Boyd) Charitable Trust, Company Number 06974351. https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/06974351

1. Bath Newseum - “All fine and dandy”. Article covering Venue 4 project and trust's role as keystone funder. https://bathnewseum.com/2026/01/13/all-fine-and-dandy/

1. Theatre Royal Bath - Engage - Adult Creative Learning programme page. https://www.theatreroyal.org.uk/engagement/engage-adult-creative-learning/

1. Theatre Royal Bath - Venue 4 project information. https://www.theatreroyal.org.uk/take-part/venue-4/