Applications are invited for Bridport Literary Festival’s second bursary award, which is worth £3,000 a year for three years to two local students.
Last year’s winners were Medwin Stephen from Bridport and Jessica St Barbe Baker, from Mosterton.
Jessica, who was a student at the Beaminster and Sir John Colfox Joint Sixth Form, is at Yeovil University Centre doing a foundation course in Childhood Studies followed by a Bachelor of Arts degree and Postgraduate Certificate in Education.
Medwin, who was at Colyton Grammar School, is at Selwyn College, Cambridge, reading Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology.
Jessica said: ‘I can’t believe I’m already halfway through my first year. It’s gone so quickly. I am very much enjoying my course, and this last week, I have been helping my primary school placement with the year 6 Mock SAT assessments.
‘So far, I have used the bursary to upgrade my laptop, as my old one wouldn’t have coped, and I have purchased a few second-hand textbooks. I use the money weekly to cover my transport costs to the university, my placement, and parking.
‘Also, I needed a new pair of glasses – the bursary was very helpful for this unplanned expense, which reduced my stress at a time when I had deadlines approaching.’
Medwin is also enjoying his studies and will soon have the opportunity to play organ for a communion service in the college chapel.
He said was using his bursary money to help pay rent and for other maintenance expenses such as books and general living necessities.
‘It is a useful assistance while I’m here as it lightens the amount my family need to pay directly per term, since it’s not feasible for me to have a job whilst living in Cambridge).
‘The remainder of it has been put into a separate savings account so, when the time comes, I can put it forward to help pay off my tuition loan too.
‘I am very grateful for the bursary and the extra help it provides.’
Bridport Literary Festival, affectionately known as BridLit, is now in its 20th year and will take place in various venues around the town from 3 – 9 November.
Trustees established the bursary award scheme in 2023. Initially it was for £1,000 a year but a local couple added to this amount from a private trust fund to make it up to £3,000 a year.
The bursaries are for a three-year undergraduate degree course in any subject. The application deadline is 22 August.
Applicants for this year’s bursary should be intending to start university in autumn 2024 and be from the Beaminster-Colfox joint sixth-form, or go to other schools but live within Dorset Council’s Bridport ward.
To be considered for one of the two bursaries, students should complete the application form on the Bridport Literary Festival website at bridlit.com/bursaries
LOCAL STUDENTS: Last year’s bursary winners Medwin Stephen (left) and Jessica St Barbe Baker (right) with BridLit director Tanya Bruce-Lockhart.
Photo by Graham Shackleton.
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