Her Majesty Queen Camilla joined the Wiltshire and Swindon Community Foundation (WSCF), the UK and Europe's oldest community foundation, today, 10th July at Wellington Barn in Calne, to commemorate its 50th anniversary.
Her Majesty The Queen cuts Wiltshire and Swindon Community Foundation’s 50th anniversary celebration cake
The event honored the Foundation's five decades of service, bringing together supporters, grant recipients, partners, and volunteers who have shaped communities across Wiltshire and Swindon.
For half a century, WSCF has acted as a vital connector, linking donors with grassroots organisations and fostering collaboration to address local challenges. The celebration included the unveiling of a commemorative plaque crafted by the Tidworth and Ludgershall Men’s Shed, a WSCF grant recipient, and a specially commissioned anniversary cake baked by Lily Shergold of Bake with Lil, another grant recipient.
During the event, the Foundation formally reintroduced Swindon into its name, reaffirming its commitment to both Wiltshire and its founding city, where it began in 1975 as the Thamesdown Community Trust.
Queen Camilla met with a diverse group of individuals and organisations supported by WSCF, including Joanna Weaver of Joanna's Gelato, Sam Gardner of Smart Mushrooms, Growbaby Swindon, All Yours Period Box, Changing Suits CIC, Platform Project, and Downton Brass Band. Each shared their stories of how WSCF funding has enabled them to make a difference in their communities.
Her Majesty The Queen collects her ice cream from Joanna Weaver of Joanna’s Gelato, who was supported by Wiltshire and Swindon Community Foundation through the SWEF grants programme.
Since its inception, WSCF has awarded over £26.8 million in grants, impacting hundreds of thousands of lives across the region. In 2024/25 alone, the Foundation awarded over £2.5 million in grants, reaching more than 83,000 people.
Joint Chief Executive Fiona Oliver said: “It was a tremendous honour to mark the 50th anniversary of Wiltshire and Swindon Community Foundation in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen. This milestone celebrated all that can be achieved when people come together with a shared purpose.
“Over the past five decades, the Foundation has provided vital support to thousands of charities, community groups and individuals — strengthening communities, inspiring generosity, and helping to foster thriving local communities.
“None of this would be possible without the vision and commitment of our Board, the dedication of our staff, and the incredible support of our donors, partners, volunteers and the wider voluntary sector. We are deeply grateful to all those who have contributed to this remarkable legacy.”
This anniversary event, which was kindly sponsored by CCLA, marked not just a celebration of the past 50 years, but a renewed commitment to the future — strengthening the Foundation’s role at the heart of local life in Wiltshire and Swindon, deepening community connections, and continuing to support the people and places
that need it most.
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