HUNDREDS of people gathered at a church in Weymouth to commemorate the life of a man whose legacy is still helping youngsters in the town today.

The annual service, held just before Palm Sunday, commemorated the life of Sir Samuel Mico and was held at St Mary’s Church and led by the Revd Geoff Hebbern. A procession followed the service.

Sir Samuel Mico was a wealthy Stuart-era merchant who made Weymouth and the George Inn his home after the many ships he owned began using Weymouth as their home port.

When he died, he left as a legacy the building and rents from the waterfront property to a charitable trust - and more than 350 years later, the trust continues to support youngsters by providing educational grants to assist them in their studies and supports those undertaking apprenticeships.

Speaking at the service were two of the trust's beneficiaries from Budmouth College - Josh Frampton and Lauren Stone.

Josh spoke about how the trust supported him with a scholarship to work at Dorset Cleaner Fish, a fish farm based on Portland, which is also the largest aquaculture facility in Dorset.

He is now looking to study at university and thanked the charity for helping give him an edge over his competitors.

Lauren Stone discussed how she met Oscar-winning make-up artist Peter King through her scholarship from the trust. She later changed her career path from makeup artistry to business studies and events management and is set to study at Bath Spa University.

Speaking about the charity she said: “I would like to thank the trust for its funding. It allowed me to understand my career path and provide me with experience, which I was able to use in my university application. If you’re thinking of applying to the trust, I would say go for it, seize all the opportunities given to you and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.”

Also speaking at the service was Lord Lieutenant of Dorset, Angus Campbell, who said: “Sir Samuel Mico really was a remarkable man. It’s clear from his will that he felt a responsibility for those people who helped him make his money and keep his company going. The fact that people have looked after this fund so well is quite remarkable and inspiring. Long may it last.”

After the service a procession left from the church to The George Bar and Grill led by the ceremonial maces of Weymouth & Portland.

Speaking at the pub, Michael Wheller, one of the charity’s trustees, said: “Sir Samuel Mico owned the pub on this site. We rent out the pub and the income from that supports the grants we are able to make.”

He added: “I thought the service was excellent today and Revd Geoff Hebbern was particularly good. It was a full church, but I suppose it always is for this service. We do encourage the students who benefit from our grants to attend and they always turn up for it.”

Information about applying for grants from the Sir Samuel Mico’s trust can be found on the Weymouth Town Charities website at weymouthtowncharities.org.uk