A long standing Weymouth tradition continues with the annual Sir Samuel Mico charity service at St Mary’s Church. The ceremony follows instructions set out in Mico’s will from the seventeenth century and includes a wreath, a sermon and a gathering at The George Inn on Custom House Quay. His bequest was designed to help former seafarers and support young people through apprenticeships. Today, the charity says it supports around eighty five local youngsters each year through grants and scholarships, while still providing pensions to a small number of former seafarers.
A centuries old Weymouth tradition is continuing with Sir Samuel Mico’s annual charity service.
The ceremony at St Mary’s Church includes the laying of a laurel wreath beneath his coat of arms and a sermon from the parish vicar, following arrangements set out in the London merchant’s will dated 25th September 1665.
Sir Samuel Mico, who had strong links to Weymouth’s port, left property and funds to support “decayed seamen” and apprenticeships for local young people, especially children of widowed mothers, and that help still reaches the town today.
After the service, trustees, dignitaries and beneficiaries gather for refreshments before heading to The George Inn on Custom House Quay, a former Mico property which was left to the charity and continues to contribute to its income.
Now administered by Weymouth Town Charities, the trust supports between 75 and 100 young people each year and still pays pensions to a small number of former seafarers, with chairman Gary Hepburn calling it “stronger than ever” after a “bumper year”.
