High Wycombe Central Aid Society

History

The High Wycombe Central Aid Society was founded in 1906 by Dame Frances Dove, elected to Wycombe District Council in 1907 and a key figure in Wycombe's history:

"Miss Frances Dove - later Dame Frances - opened Wycombe Abbey School in High Wycombe on September 23rd 1896 - on which day Queen Victoria had reigned longer than any other English monarch. In the early history of the school, we read of her concern about the drains, a clean water supply, and the need for a sanatorium for sick pupils. Concerns like these must have brought her into contact with the local authority!"

"Wycombe Abbey School had wealthy parents visiting, and at the gates, the poor of High Wycombe came to beg. Frances Dove organised the High Wycombe Central Aid Society, established as a charity in 1906. Central Aid continues to serve the community of High Wycombe to this day, through various projects run with the help of donations of money, food and goods from local people and businesses."¹

Objects

The Obiects of the High Wycombe Central Aid Society as covered by its Trust Deed of 1906 are as follows:

• The alleviation of distress amongst persons resident in High Wycombe area.
• To promote the welfare of persons who are aged or physically disabled.
• To establish and maintain a system of organized personal service in the area, to encourage co-operation amongst voluntary and official agencies and to promote and support new effort .

For over 100 years the Society has acted in support of these objectives.

¹ From the online exhibition on Frances Dove by Frances Alexander here