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The relief of the poor has
been, and is still, a major concern of The Merchant Company. It is supported
by bequests, gifts and trusts with which it has been endowed.
The
Royal Charter made provision for specific charitable work, and in 1693 David Aitkenhead
was the first Member to leave a substantial gift to help
an elderly merchant in need. Several Members followed his example and the responsibilities
of the Merchant Company increased as the Trusts grew. In 1797, when James Gillespie
bequeathed his Colinton estate, the Merchant Company’s role of public
benevolence became even more important. A number of charitable trusts have
been established during the 300-year history of the Merchant Company, and these
continue to be administered to suit the needs of society today.
Alice Capavanni
Born in Edinburgh and of Italian descent, Alice has never visited her ‘homeland’.
Alice will be 82 in November and has lived in the Grassmarket area of the City
all of her life. Her parents had nine children: seven boys and two girls. Alice
worked as a cleaner until she was 62, when she found the work too much for her.
A member of the Sacred Heart Church in Edinburgh, Alice heard about the work
of the Company through a nun at the Church, Sister Ann. The Almoner visited her
and because Alice is on a very low income, with very little support from elsewhere,
she receives a pension from the Merchant Company twice a year.
When Alice receives her cheque, she treats herself to a pork chop from the butchers.
Alice’s flat has recently been re-carpeted with funding from The Merchant
Company; previously, her carpets were badly worn and had been covered by various
rugs. Anne Rowatt, the Almoner, noted that Alice’s flat was extremely hazardous
and it would have only been a matter of time before Alice tripped and fell. Two
pupils at George Watson’s College, George Jefferson and Adi Gupta, who were
working towards their Duke of Edinburgh Award, got to know Alice very well. They
painted her kitchen as part of their Award, and enjoyed helping Alice so much
that they are still in touch with her. This just illustrates the excellent links
that can be forged between the different areas of The Merchant Company.
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