Two students share 2024 Millennium Bursary

Knutsford Town Council and Knutsford Lions are delighted to announce Leo Davies and Katie Chaplin as the joint recipients of the 2024 Knutsford Millennium Bursary.

Established in 2000, the Knutsford Millennium Bursary is awarded annually to a deserving Knutsford student pursuing higher education. This year, the selection panel, which comprised Lydia Barclay of Knutsford Lions and Town Mayor Cllr Peter Coan were so impressed by two applicants that they decided to combine the main award of £660 and supplementary award of £250 and share it between two students.

Leo Davies, who is undertaking a joint honours degree in Anthropology and English Literature at Queen’s University Belfast, said:

“It's an absolute honour and privilege to receive this bursary”

“Living in Belfast, this financial support will be essential for my studies. Notably, my research on karate's cultural impact across the UK will hopefully showcase the dedication and character-building this practice fosters. Thank you so much!”

Sharing the award is Katie Chaplin, who is pursuing a Fine Art degree at the Manchester School of Art at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Katie said:

“I am incredibly grateful for this bursary. This funding will allow me to pursue further training in art therapy and support the costs of materials and exhibitions in my final year. My passion lies in helping others through art therapy, and this bursary helps me explore this exciting career path.”

Lydia Barclay, representing Knutsford Lions, commented:

“All the applicants were a pleasure to meet. Their ambition and innovative ideas shone through. We were particularly impressed by Leo's research project and Katie's desire to use art to help others. We felt both applications deserved recognition, so we decided to award a joint bursary this year.”

Knutsford Mayor, Cllr Peter Coan, echoed this sentiment, adding:

"Leo and Katie are stellar examples of the talent we have here in Knutsford and I’m greatly looking forward to seeing the incredible things they'll achieve."

Leo and Katie each received a bursary of £455 to support their third year university studies.

The 2025 bursary will open for applications in January.

Pictured - Katie Chaplin.