Ludlam & Horsfall Trust
This plaque on the south wall of Thurstonland First School commemorates the endowment of a school in Thurstonland in 1766 by Misses Ludlam and Horsfall.
The trust is still active today, financially providing additional support to Thurstonland First School and looking after the School House property.
There are seven trustees drawn from different aspects of village life.
The chairperson is Richard Wood, representing St Thomas’ Church and the joint secretaries are Angela Carmichael who links with Thurstonland Village Association and Kate Gaunt who is also a Green Hills First Federation school governor. Other trustees are Cllr Richard Smith representing Kirklees Council, Robert Barraclough representing Kirkburton Parish Council, Rev Sarah Cawdell representing St Thomas' Church and Lynsey Wagstaff, as Headteacher, is an ex-officio trustee.
The trust meets each term to discuss the upkeep of the School House and to decide how best to support the children. Recently they were able to contribute to the school library and new classroom furniture and each year they give a grant, as was originally intended in the terms of the trust, for the purchase of books and teaching materials and support the developing life of the school.