WILLIAMSBURG INVESTMENT TRUST
497, 1997-12-22
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                 SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED DECEMBER 22, 1997

INFORMATION   CONTAINED  HEREIN  IS  SUBJECT  TO  COMPLETION  OR  AMENDMENT.   A
REGISTRATION  STATEMENT  RELATING  TO THESE  SECURITIES  HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES  AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION.  THESE  SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THEIR REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE.  THIS  PROSPECTUS  SHALL  NOT  CONSTITUTE  AN  OFFER  TO  SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE  SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER,  SOLICITATION  OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.

                                                                     PROSPECTUS


                            THE DAVENPORT EQUITY FUND
                                 A No-Load Fund

The  investment  objective of THE  DAVENPORT  EQUITY FUND is long term growth of
capital through investment in a diversified portfolio of common stocks.  Current
income is incidental to this objective and may not be significant.

                               INVESTMENT ADVISOR
                             Davenport & Company LLC
                               Richmond, Virginia

The  Davenport  Equity  Fund (the  "Fund") is a NO-LOAD,  diversified,  open-end
series of the Williamsburg  Investment Trust, a registered management investment
company. This Prospectus provides you with the basic information you should know
before  investing  in the  Fund.  You  should  read it and  keep  it for  future
reference. While there is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment
objective,  it endeavors to do so by following the investment policies described
in this Prospectus.

A Statement of  Additional  Information,  dated  December  31, 1997,  containing
additional  information  about the Fund,  has been filed with the Securities and
Exchange  Commission and is  incorporated by reference in this Prospectus in its
entirety. The Fund's address is P.O. Box 5354, Cincinnati,  Ohio 45201-5354, and
its telephone  number is  1-800-443-4249.  A copy of the Statement of Additional
Information may be obtained at no charge by calling or writing the Fund.

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY..........................................................  2
SYNOPSIS OF COSTS AND EXPENSES..............................................  3
  INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, INVESTMENT POLICIES
  AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS...................................................  4
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES......................................................  7
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES........................................................  8
HOW NET ASSET VALUE IS DETERMINED........................................... 10
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND...................................................... 10
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS, TAXES AND OTHER INFORMATION....................... 13

THESE  SECURITIES  HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR  DISAPPROVED  BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR ANY STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION  OR ANY STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION  PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.




<PAGE>



                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

THE FUND.  The  Davenport  Equity Fund (the  "Fund") is a No-Load,  diversified,
open-end series of the Williamsburg  Investment  Trust, a registered  management
investment  company  commonly known as a "mutual fund." It represents a separate
mutual fund with its own  investment  objective and policies.  While there is no
assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment  objective,  it endeavors to
do so by following the investment policies described in this Prospectus.

INVESTMENT  OBJECTIVE.  The Fund's  investment  objective is long term growth of
capital through investment in a diversified portfolio of common stocks.  Current
income is incidental to this objective and may not be significant.

INVESTMENT APPROACH.  Equity investments are made primarily for growth with
investment  decisions  based upon  fundamental  factors  specific to  individual
companies  and sector  fundamentals  specific  to  individual  industries.  (See
"Investment Objective, Investment Policies and Risk Considerations.")

INVESTMENT ADVISOR. Davenport & Company LLC (the "Advisor") serves as investment
advisor to the Fund. For its services, the Advisor receives compensation at the
annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. (See
"Management of the Fund.")

PURCHASE  OF  SHARES.  Shares are  offered  "No-Load,"  which  means they may be
purchased  directly  from the Fund without the  imposition of any sales or 12b-1
charges.  The  minimum  initial  purchase  for the Fund is  $10,000.  Subsequent
investments  in the Fund must be  $1,000 or more.  Shares  may be  purchased  by
individuals or  organizations  and may be  appropriate  for use in Tax Sheltered
Retirement Plans and Systematic Withdrawal Plans.(See "How to Purchase
Shares.")

REDEMPTION  OF SHARES.  There is  currently no charge for  redemptions  from the
Fund.  Shares may be redeemed at any time in which the Fund is open for business
at the net asset value next determined after receipt of a redemption  request by
the Fund.  (See "How to Redeem Shares.")

DIVIDENDS AND  DISTRIBUTIONS.  Net investment  income of the Fund is distributed
quarterly. Net capital gains, if any, are distributed annually. Shareholders may
elect  to  receive  dividends  and  capital  gain  distributions  in cash or the
dividends and capital gain  distributions  may be reinvested in additional  Fund
shares. (See "Dividends, Distributions, Taxes and Other Information.")


                                      - 2 -


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MANAGEMENT.  The Fund is a series  of the  Williamsburg  Investment  Trust  (the
"Trust"),  the Board of Trustees of which is responsible for overall  management
of the Trust and the Fund.  The Trust has employed  Countrywide  Fund  Services,
Inc. (the  "Administrator") to provide  administration,  accounting and transfer
agent services. (See "Management of the Fund.")


                         SYNOPSIS OF COSTS AND EXPENSES


SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES:                                      None

ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES:
   (As a percentage of average net assets)
Investment Advisory Fees                                               0.75%
Administrator's Fees                                                   0.20%
Other Expenses                                                         0.20%
                                                                       -----

Total Fund Operating Expenses                                          1.15%
                                                                       =====

EXAMPLE: You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, whether or
not you redeem at the end of the period, assuming 5% annual return:

                             1 Year       3 Years
                             ------       -------
                              $12           $37

The  purpose  of the  foregoing  tables  is to assist  investors  in the Fund in
understanding  the various  costs and expenses  that they will bear  directly or
indirectly. See "Management of the Fund" for more information about the fees and
costs of operating the Fund. The Annual Fund Operating  Expenses shown above are
based upon  estimated  amounts for the current  fiscal year.  THE EXAMPLES SHOWN
SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A  REPRESENTATION  OF PAST OR FUTURE  EXPENSES.  ACTUAL
EXPENSES IN THE FUTURE MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.





                                      - 3 -


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                    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, INVESTMENT POLICIES
                             AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS

The  investment  objective  of the Fund is long term  growth of capital  through
investment in a well-diversified  portfolio composed primarily of common stocks.
Current income is incidental to this objective and may not be significant.

Any  investment  involves risk, and there can be no assurance that the Fund will
achieve its investment  objective.  The investment objective of the Fund may not
be  altered  without  the  prior  approval  of a  majority  (as  defined  by the
Investment Company Act of 1940) of the Fund's shares.

EQUITY  SELECTION.  Under normal market  conditions,  the Fund will be primarily
invested  (i.e.,  at least 65% of its total assets) in common  stocks,  which by
definition  entail risk of loss of principal.  The Fund's  investments  are made
primarily  for long term growth of capital.  Selection of equity  securities  is
made on the basis of several criteria, including, among other things:

         1.       The price-earnings ratio;

         2.       The rate of earnings growth;

         3.       The depth of management;

         4.       The company's past financial stability;

         5.       The company's present and projected position within its
                  industry; and

         6.       The dividend record.

Selection of equity  securities is made by the Investment  Policy  Committee and
the portfolio  manager.  The  Investment  Policy  Committee is comprised of five
individuals  who are  responsible  for the formalized  investment  approach upon
which the Advisor's Asset Management  division is based.  Committee  members and
the portfolio manager meet formally on a weekly basis.  Decisions to buy or sell
a security require a majority vote of the Committee. The Committee's approach is
to  insist  on  value  in  every  stock  purchased,   to  control  risk  through
diversification,  and to establish price targets at the time a specific stock is
purchased.

Although the Fund invests primarily in common stocks, the Fund may also invest a
portion  of its  assets in  straight  preferred  stocks,  convertible  preferred
stocks,  convertible bonds and warrants. The Fund may invest in preferred stocks
and convertible bonds which are rated at the time of purchase in the

                                      - 4 -


<PAGE>



four highest grades assigned by Moody's Investors  Service,  Inc. (Aaa, Aa, A or
Baa) or Standard & Poor's Rating Group (AAA, AA, A or BBB) or unrated securities
determined  by the Advisor to be of  comparable  quality.  Preferred  stocks and
bonds rated Baa or BBB have speculative  characteristics and changes in economic
conditions or other circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity
to pay principal and interest or to pay the preferred stock  obligations than is
the case with higher grade securities. Subsequent to its purchase by the Fund, a
security's rating may be reduced below Baa or BBB and the Advisor will sell such
security,  subject to market conditions and the Advisor's assessment of the most
opportune time for sale.

The  Fund  may from  time to time  invest a  portion  of its  assets  in  small,
unseasoned companies. While smaller companies generally have potential for rapid
growth,  they  often  involve  higher  risks  because  they lack the  management
experience,   financial  resources,   product  diversification  and  competitive
strengths of larger corporations. In addition, in many instances, the securities
of  smaller  companies  are  traded  only  over-the-counter  or  on  a  regional
securities  exchange,   and  the  frequency  and  volume  of  their  trading  is
substantially  less  than  is  typical  of  larger  companies.   Therefore,  the
securities of smaller companies may be subject to wider price fluctuations. When
making large sales,  the Fund may have to sell  portfolio  holdings at discounts
from quoted  prices or may have to make a series of small sales over an extended
period of time.

Investments  in equity  securities  are  subject to  inherent  market  risks and
fluctuations  in value due to earnings,  economic  conditions  and other factors
beyond the control of the Advisor.  As a result,  the return and net asset value
of the Fund will fluctuate.  Securities in the Fund's portfolio may not increase
as much as the market as a whole and some undervalued securities may continue to
be  undervalued  for long periods of time.  Some  securities  may be  inactively
traded,  i.e.,  not quoted  daily in the  financial  press,  and thus may not be
readily bought or sold.  Although  profits in some Fund holdings may be realized
quickly, it is not expected that most investments will appreciate rapidly.

FOREIGN COMPANIES. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets at the time
of  purchase  in  securities  of  foreign   issuers.   When  selecting   foreign
investments,  the Advisor will seek to invest in securities that have investment
characteristics and qualities  comparable to the kinds of domestic securities in
which the Fund invests.  The Fund may invest in  securities  of foreign  issuers
directly or in the form of  sponsored  American  Depository  Receipts.  American
Depository  Receipts are receipts  typically issued by an American bank or trust
company that  evidence  ownership of underlying  securities  issued by a foreign
corporation. Foreign investments may be subject to special

                                      - 5 -


<PAGE>



risks,  including future political and economic developments and the possibility
of seizure or nationalization of companies,  the imposition of withholding taxes
on income, establishment of exchange controls or adoption of other restrictions,
that  might  affect  an  investment  adversely.  The  Fund  will not  invest  in
securities of foreign  issuers which are not listed on a recognized  domestic or
foreign exchange.

MONEY MARKET  INSTRUMENTS.  Money market instruments will typically  represent a
portion of the Fund's  portfolio,  as funds awaiting  investment,  to accumulate
cash for  anticipated  purchases  of  portfolio  securities  and to provide  for
shareholder  redemptions  and  operational  expenses of the Fund.  For temporary
defensive purposes,  when the Advisor determines that market conditions warrant,
the Fund may  depart  from its  normal  investment  objective  and money  market
instruments may be emphasized,  even to the point that 100% of the Fund's assets
may be so invested.  Money market  instruments mature in thirteen months or less
from the date of purchase and include U.S.  Government  Securities and corporate
debt securities  (including  those subject to repurchase  agreements),  bankers'
acceptances and certificates of deposit of domestic  branches of U.S. banks, and
commercial paper (including variable amount demand master notes). At the time of
purchase,  money market instruments will have a short-term rating in the highest
category by Moody's or S&P or, if not rated,  issued by a corporation  having an
outstanding  unsecured debt issue rated A or better by Moody's or S&P or, if not
so rated, of equivalent quality in the Advisor's  opinion.  See the Statement of
Additional Information for a further description of money market investments.

FACTORS  TO  CONSIDER.  The Fund is not  intended  to be a  complete  investment
program and there can be no assurance  that the Fund will achieve its investment
objective.  To the extent that the Fund's  portfolio is fully invested in equity
securities,  it may be  expected  that the net  asset  value of the Fund will be
subject to greater  fluctuation than a portfolio  containing mostly fixed income
securities.  The Fund may borrow using its assets as collateral,  but only under
certain limited  conditions.  Borrowing,  if done,  would tend to exaggerate the
effects of market fluctuations on the Fund's net asset value until repaid.
(See "Borrowing.")

BORROWING.  The Fund may borrow,  temporarily,  up to 5% of its total assets for
extraordinary  purposes and may increase this limit to 33.3% of its total assets
to meet redemption  requests which might otherwise require untimely  disposition
of portfolio  holdings.  To the extent the Fund borrows for these purposes,  the
effects  of market  price  fluctuations  on  portfolio  net asset  value will be
exaggerated.  If while  such  borrowing  is in  effect,  the value of the Fund's
assets declines, the Fund would be forced to

                                      - 6 -


<PAGE>



liquidate  portfolio  securities when it is  disadvantageous  to do so. The Fund
would  incur  interest  and  other  transaction  costs in  connection  with such
borrowing.  The  Fund  will  not  make  any  additional  investments  while  its
outstanding borrowings exceed 5% of the current value of its total assets.

PORTFOLIO  TURNOVER.  By utilizing the approach to investing  described  herein,
annual portfolio  turnover will generally not exceed 50%. Market  conditions may
dictate,  however, a higher rate of portfolio turnover in a particular year. The
degree of portfolio  activity  affects the  brokerage  costs of the Fund and may
have an impact on the amount of taxable distributions to shareholders.

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS.  The Fund may acquire U.S. Government Securities or other
high-grade  debt  securities  subject to  repurchase  agreements.  A  repurchase
agreement   transaction   occurs   when  the  Fund   acquires  a  security   and
simultaneously  resell it to the vendor  (normally  a member bank of the Federal
Reserve or a registered  Government Securities dealer) for delivery on an agreed
upon future date. The  repurchase  price exceeds the purchase price by an amount
which reflects an agreed upon interest rate earned by the Fund effective for the
period of time during  which the  repurchase  agreement  is in effect.  Delivery
pursuant  to the  resale  typically  will  occur  within one to five days of the
purchase. For purposes of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"), a
repurchase agreement is considered to be a loan collateralized by the securities
subject to the repurchase  agreement.  The Fund will not enter into a repurchase
agreement  which  will  cause  more  than 10% of its  assets to be  invested  in
repurchase  agreements  which  extend  beyond  seven  days  and  other  illiquid
securities.

INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS. For the purpose of limiting the Fund's exposure to risk,
the Fund has adopted  certain  limitations  which,  together with its investment
objective,  are considered fundamental policies which may not be changed without
shareholder  approval.  The Fund will not: (1) issue senior  securities,  borrow
money or pledge its assets,  except that it may borrow from banks as a temporary
measure (a) for extraordinary or emergency purposes, in amounts not exceeding 5%
of the Fund's total assets,  or (b) in order to meet  redemption  requests which
might  otherwise  require  untimely  disposition  of  portfolio  securities  if,
immediately after such borrowing,  the value of the Fund's assets, including all
borrowings then outstanding, less its liabilities (excluding all borrowings), is
equal to at least 300% of the aggregate  amount of borrowings then  outstanding,
and may  pledge  its  assets  to  secure  all such  borrowings;  (2)  invest  in
restricted securities, or invest more than 15% of the Fund's net assets in other
illiquid  securities,  including  repurchase  agreements  maturing in over seven
days, and other securities for

                                      - 7 -


<PAGE>



which there is no  established  market or for which  market  quotations  are not
readily  available;  (3)  write,  acquire or sell  puts,  calls or  combinations
thereof,  or  purchase  or  sell  commodities,  commodities  contracts,  futures
contracts or related  options;  and (4) purchase  securities of other investment
companies,  except through purchases in the open market involving only customary
brokerage  commissions  and as a result of which not more than 5% of the  Fund's
total  assets  would be  invested  in such  securities,  or  except as part of a
merger,  consolidation  or  other  acquisition.   Other  fundamental  investment
limitations are listed in the Statement of Additional Information.

                             HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES

There are NO SALES  COMMISSIONS  CHARGED  TO  INVESTORS.  Assistance  in opening
accounts may be obtained from the Administrator by calling 1-800-443-4249, or by
writing  to the  Fund at the  address  shown  below  for  regular  mail  orders.
Assistance is also available through any broker-dealer authorized to sell shares
of the Fund. Such  broker-dealer may charge you a fee for its services.  Payment
for shares  purchased  may be made  through  your  account at the  broker-dealer
processing your application and order to purchase. Your investment will purchase
shares at the  Fund's  net asset  value  next  determined  after  your  order is
received by the Fund in proper order as indicated  herein.  The minimum  initial
investment in the Fund,  unless stated otherwise  herein,  is $10,000.  The Fund
may, in the Advisor's sole  discretion,  accept certain  accounts with less than
the stated minimum initial investment.

Payment must be made by check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank and payable in
U.S. dollars.  All orders received by the  Administrator,  whether by mail, bank
wire or  facsimile  order  from a  qualified  broker-dealer,  prior to 4:00 p.m.
Eastern time will purchase shares at the net asset value next determined on that
business  day. If your order is not  received by 4:00 p.m.  Eastern  time,  your
order  will  purchase  shares  at the net  asset  value  determined  on the next
business day. (See "How Net Asset Value is Determined.")

Due to Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") regulations, applications without social
security or tax identification  numbers will not be accepted.  If, however,  you
have already applied for a social security or tax  identification  number at the
time of completing your account application, the application should so indicate.
The Fund is  required  to, and will,  withhold  taxes on all  distributions  and
redemption proceeds if the number is not delivered to the Fund within 60 days.




                                      - 8 -


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Investors  should  be  aware  that  the  Fund's  account  application   contains
provisions  in  favor  of the  Fund,  the  Administrator  and  certain  of their
affiliates,  excluding such entities from certain liabilities (including,  among
others, losses resulting from unauthorized shareholder transactions) relating to
the various services made available to investors.

Should an order to  purchase  shares be  cancelled  because  your check does not
clear,  you will be responsible for any resulting losses or fees incurred by the
Fund or the Administrator in the transaction.

REGULAR  MAIL ORDERS.  Please  complete  and sign the Account  Application  form
accompanying  this  Prospectus and send it with your check,  made payable to the
Fund, and mail it to:

         THE DAVENPORT EQUITY FUND
         C/O SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
         P.O. BOX 5354
         CINCINNATI, OHIO  45201-5354

BANK WIRE ORDERS.  Investments can be made directly by bank wire. To establish a
new account or add to an  existing  account by wire,  please  call the Fund,  at
1-800-443-4249,  before wiring funds, to advise the Fund of the investment,  the
dollar amount and the account registration. This will ensure prompt and accurate
handling  of your  investment.  Please have your bank use the  following  wiring
instructions to purchase by wire:

   Star Bank, N.A.
   Cinti/Trust
   ABA# 042000013
   For Williamsburg Investment Trust #485777056
   For The Davenport Equity Fund
   (Shareholder name and account number or tax identification
   number)

It is  important  that the wire  contain all the  information  and that the Fund
receives prior telephone notification to ensure proper credit. Once your wire is
sent you should, as soon as possible thereafter,  complete and mail your Account
Application to the Fund as described under "Regular Mail Orders," above.

ADDITIONAL  INVESTMENTS.  You may add to your  account by mail or wire  (minimum
additional  investment of $1,000) at any time by  purchasing  shares at the then
current net asset value as aforementioned.  Before making additional investments
by bank wire, please call the Fund at 1-800-443-4249 to alert the Fund that your
wire is to be sent. Follow the wire  instructions  above to send your wire. When
calling for any reason,  please have your account number ready,  if known.  Mail
orders should include, when

                                      - 9 -


<PAGE>



possible,  the "Invest by Mail" stub which is attached to your Fund confirmation
statement. Otherwise, be sure to identify your account in your letter.

AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN. The automatic investment plan enables shareholders to
make regular monthly or quarterly investment in shares through automatic charges
to their checking account. With shareholder authorization and bank approval, the
Administrator  will  automatically  charge the  checking  account for the amount
specified ($100 minimum) which will be  automatically  invested in shares at the
net asset  value on or about the 15th day  and/or the last  business  day of the
month.  The  shareholder  may change the amount of the investment or discontinue
the plan at any time by writing to the Administrator.

EMPLOYEES AND  AFFILIATES OF THE FUND. The minimum  purchase  requirement is not
applicable to accounts of Trustees, officers or employees of the Fund or certain
parties related  thereto.  The minimum  initial  investment for such accounts is
$1,000. See the Statement of Additional Information for further details.

STOCK  CERTIFICATES.  Stock  certificates  will not be issued  for your  shares.
Evidence of ownership will be given by issuance of periodic  account  statements
which will show the number of shares owned.

                              HOW TO REDEEM SHARES

Shares  of the  Fund  may be  redeemed  on each  day  that  the Fund is open for
business by sending a written request to the Fund. The Fund is open for business
on each day the New York Stock  Exchange (the  "Exchange") is open for business.
Any  redemption  may be for more or less than the purchase  price of your shares
depending on the market value of the Fund's portfolio securities. All redemption
orders received in proper form, as indicated herein, by the Administrator  prior
to 4:00 p.m.  Eastern time will redeem shares at the net asset value  determined
as of that business  day's close of trading.  Otherwise,  your order will redeem
shares on the next  business  day.  You may also redeem  your  shares  through a
broker-dealer who may charge you a fee for its services.

The Board of Trustees  reserves  the right to  involuntarily  redeem any account
having an account value of less than $10,000 (due to  redemptions,  exchanges or
transfers,  and not due to market action) upon 60 days' written  notice.  If the
shareholder  brings his  account  value up to $10,000 or more  during the notice
period, the account will not be redeemed.  Redemptions from retirement plans may
be subject to tax withholding.

If you are uncertain of the  requirements  for  redemption,  please  contact the
Fund, at 1-800-443-4249, or write to the address shown below.


                                     - 10 -


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REGULAR  MAIL  REDEMPTIONS.  Your request  should be addressed to The  Davenport
Equity Fund,  P.O.  Box 5354,  Cincinnati,  Ohio 45201-  5354.  Your request for
redemption must include:

1)     your letter of instruction or a stock  assignment  specifying the account
       number,  and the number of shares or dollar  amount to be redeemed.  This
       request must be signed by all registered  shareholders in the exact names
       in which they are registered;

2)     any required signature guarantees (see "Signature Guarantees"); and

3)     other  supporting  legal  documents,  if required in the case of estates,
       trusts,  guardianships,   custodianships,   corporations,   partnerships,
       pension or profit sharing plans, and other organizations.

Your redemption  proceeds will be mailed to you within three business days after
receipt of your redemption  request.  However,  the Fund may delay  forwarding a
redemption check for recently  purchased shares while it determines  whether the
purchase payment will be honored.  Such delay (which may take up to 15 days) may
be reduced or avoided if the  purchase is made by  certified  check,  government
check or wire transfer. In such cases, the net asset value next determined after
receipt of the request for redemption  will be used in processing the redemption
and your redemption  proceeds will be mailed to you upon clearance of your check
to purchase shares. The Fund may suspend  redemption  privileges or postpone the
date of payment (i) during any period that the Exchange is closed, or trading on
the  Exchange  is  restricted  as  determined  by the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission (the  "Commission"),  (ii) during any period when an emergency exists
as  defined  by the  rules  of the  Commission  as a  result  of which it is not
reasonably  practicable for the Fund to dispose of securities owned by it, or to
fairly  determine  the value of its assets,  and (iii) for such other periods as
the Commission may permit.

You can  choose to have  redemption  proceeds  mailed to you at your  address of
record,  your  bank,  or to any  other  authorized  person,  or you can have the
proceeds sent by bank wire to your bank ($5,000 minimum). Shares of the Fund may
not be  redeemed  by wire on days in which  your bank is not open for  business.
Redemption  proceeds  will only be sent to the bank  account or person  named in
your Account  Application  currently on file with the Fund.  You can change your
redemption  instructions  anytime you wish by filing a letter including your new
redemption instructions with the Fund. (See "Signature Guarantees.")






                                     - 11 -


<PAGE>



There is currently no charge by the Administrator for wire redemptions. However,
the Administrator  reserves the right, upon thirty days' written notice, to make
reasonable charges for wire redemptions.  All charges will be deducted from your
account by redemption of shares in your account. Your bank or brokerage firm may
also impose a charge for processing the wire. In the event that wire transfer of
funds is impossible or impractical, the redemption proceeds will be sent by mail
to the designated account.

SIGNATURE GUARANTEES. To protect your account and the Fund from fraud, signature
guarantees  are required to be sure that you are the person who has authorized a
change in registration,  or standing instructions,  for your account.  Signature
guarantees  are  required  for (1)  change  of  registration  requests,  and (2)
requests to  establish  or change  redemption  services  other than through your
initial account  application.  Signature guarantees are acceptable from a member
bank of the  Federal  Reserve  System,  a savings and loan  institution,  credit
union,  registered  broker-dealer or a member firm of a U.S. Stock Exchange, and
must appear on the written request for redemption, or change of registration.

SYSTEMATIC  WITHDRAWAL PLAN. A shareholder who owns shares of the Fund valued at
$25,000  or more at the  current  offering  price  may  establish  a  Systematic
Withdrawal  Plan to receive a monthly or quarterly  check in a stated amount not
less than $100. Each month or quarter as specified,  the Fund will automatically
redeem  sufficient  shares from your  account to meet the  specified  withdrawal
amount.  The  shareholder  may  establish  this service  whether  dividends  and
distributions  are  reinvested or paid in cash.  Systematic  withdrawals  may be
deposited   directly  to  the  shareholder's  bank  account  by  completing  the
applicable section on the Account Application form accompanying this Prospectus,
or by writing the Fund. See the Statement of Additional  Information for further
details.

                        HOW NET ASSET VALUE IS DETERMINED

The net asset  value of the Fund is  determined  on each  business  day that the
Exchange is open for trading,  as of the close of the Exchange  (currently  4:00
p.m.  Eastern  time).  Net asset value per share is  determined  by dividing the
total value of all Fund  securities  (valued at market  value) and other assets,
less  liabilities,  by the total  number of shares then  outstanding.  Net asset
value  includes  interest on fixed income  securities,  which is accrued  daily.
Obligations  held by the Fund may be  primarily  listed on foreign  exchanges or
traded in foreign  markets  which are open on days (such as  Saturdays  and U.S.
holidays)  when the New York  Stock  Exchange  is not  open for  business;  as a
result, the net asset value per share of the Fund may be significantly  affected
by trading on days when the Fund is not open for business.  See the Statement of
Additional Information for further details.

                                     - 12 -


<PAGE>




Securities which are traded  over-the-counter are priced at the last sale price,
if available,  otherwise,  at the last quoted bid price.  Securities traded on a
national  stock  exchange  will be valued  based upon the  closing  price on the
valuation  date on the principal  exchange  where the security is traded.  Fixed
income securities will ordinarily be traded in the  over-the-counter  market and
common stocks will ordinarily be traded on a national securities  exchange,  but
may also be traded in the  over-the-counter  market.  When market quotations are
not readily  available,  fixed income  securities  may be valued on the basis of
prices provided by an independent  pricing  service.  The prices provided by the
pricing service are determined with consideration given to institutional bid and
last sale prices and take into account  securities prices,  yields,  maturities,
call features,  ratings,  institutional  trading in similar groups of securities
and  developments  related to specific  securities.  The  Trustees  will satisfy
themselves that such pricing services consider all appropriate  factors relevant
to the value of such securities in determining their fair value.  Securities and
other assets for which no  quotations  are readily  available  will be valued in
good faith at fair value using methods determined by the Board of Trustees.

                             MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

The Fund is a  diversified  series of the  Williamsburg  Investment  Trust  (the
"Trust"),  an investment company organized as a Massachusetts  business trust in
July 1988,  which was formerly known as The  Nottingham  Investment  Trust.  The
Board of Trustees has overall  responsibility  for  management of the Fund under
the laws of Massachusetts governing the responsibilities of trustees of business
trusts.  The Statement of  Additional  Information  identifies  the Trustees and
officers of the Trust and the Fund and provides information about them.

INVESTMENT ADVISOR. Subject to the authority of the Board of Trustees, Davenport
& Company LLC (the  "Advisor")  provides the Fund with a  continuous  program of
supervision  of its assets,  including the  composition  of its  portfolio,  and
furnishes  advice and  recommendations  with respect to investments,  investment
policies  and the  purchase and sale of  securities,  pursuant to an  Investment
Advisory  Agreement  with the Trust.  The  Advisor is also  responsible  for the
selection  of   broker-dealers   through  which  the  Fund  executes   portfolio
transactions,  subject to brokerage  policies  established by the Trustees,  and
provides certain executive personnel to the Fund.

Davenport & Company  LLC was  originally  organized  in 1863,  reorganized  as a
Virginia corporation in 1972, and subsequently  converted to a Limited Liability
Company in 1997. Through two Sub-S corporation  unitholders,  the Advisor has 99
owners all of whom are employees of the Advisor and none of whom own in excess

                                     - 13 -


<PAGE>



of 10% of the Advisor. In addition to acting as Adviser to the Fund, the Advisor
also provides  investment  advice to  corporations,  trusts,  pension and profit
sharing plans, other business and institutional accounts and individuals.

Joseph L. Antrim is primarily responsible for managing the portfolio of the Fund
in consultation with the Advisor's  Investment Policy Committee.  The members of
the Advisor's Investment Policy Committee are:

JOSEPH L. ANTRIM, CFA, 52, is a graduate of the University of Virginia and began
his investment career with Chemical Bank in New York City in 1968.  Subsequently
he joined Branch & Co., a Richmond brokerage firm, as a securities  analyst.  Mr
Antrim became  associated with the Advisor when Branch & Co. was merged with the
Advisor  in 1975.  Mr.  Antrim is an  Executive  Vice  President,  member of the
Executive  Committee,  and  Director of the  Advisor  and manages the  Advisor's
Investment Advisory division.

MICHAEL S. BEALL,  CFA, CPA, 43,  graduated from the University of Virginia with
undergraduate and masters degrees in accounting. Prior to joining the Advisor in
1980, he was employed by a "Big Six" accounting  firm. Mr. Beall is an Executive
Vice President,  member of the Executive Committee,  Director of the Advisor and
is the Advisor's Director of Research.

JAMES C. HAMILTON,  Jr., 65,  graduated  from Yale  University in 1954 and after
serving  three  years as an officer in the United  States Air Force he began his
career with a New York investment  firm. Mr. Hamilton joined the Advisor in 1968
and is a First Vice President and a Director of the Advisor.

BEVERLEY B. MUNFORD  III, CFA, 70, graduated from the University of Virginia in
1950 and has spent his  entire  career  with the  Advisor.  Mr.  Munford is Vice
Chairman of the  Advisor and a former  member of the  Executive  Committee.  Mr.
Munford also serves as a Trustee of the Advisor's Employee Profit-Sharing Plan.

HUNTER R.  PETTUS,  Jr.,  69, is a graduate of the  University  of Virginia  and
joined the Advisor in 1960.  Mr. Pettus is a Senior Vice  President and Director
of the Advisor and is a former  member of the  Executive  Committee.  Mr. Pettus
also serves as a Trustee of the Advisor's Employee Profit-Sharing Plan.

Compensation of the Advisor is at the annual rate of 0.75% of the Fund's average
daily net assets.  The Advisor  intends to waive its advisory fees to the extent
necessary to limit the total  operating  expenses of the Fund to 1.15% per annum
of its  average  daily  net  assets.  However,  there is no  assurance  that any
voluntary fee waivers will continue in the current or future

                                     - 14 -


<PAGE>



fiscal years and expenses of the Fund may therefore  exceed 1.15% of its average
daily net assets.

The Advisor's address is One James Center,  P.O. Box 85678,  Richmond,  Virginia
23285.

ADMINISTRATOR.  The Fund has retained Countrywide Fund Services,  Inc., P.O. Box
5354, Cincinnati,  Ohio 45201, to provide administrative,  pricing,  accounting,
dividend  disbursing,  shareholder  servicing and transfer agent  services.  The
Administrator  is an indirect  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of  Countrywide  Credit
Industries,  Inc. a New York Stock Exchange- listed Company  principally engaged
in the business of residential  mortgage  lending.  The  Administrator  supplies
executive, administrative and regulatory services, supervises the preparation of
tax returns,  and coordinates  the  preparation of reports to  shareholders  and
reports to and filings with the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  and state
securities  authorities.  In addition,  the  Administrator  calculates daily net
asset value per share and  maintains  such books and records as are necessary to
enable it to perform its duties.

The Fund pays the  Administrator  a fee for these services at the annual rate of
0.20% of the average value of its daily net assets up to $25 million,  0.175% on
the next $25  million of such  assets and 0.15% of such  assets in excess of $50
million;  provided,  however,  that the  minimum  fee is $2,000 per  month.  The
Administrator  also charges the Fund for certain  costs  involved with the daily
valuation of investment securities and is reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses.

CUSTODIAN.  The  Custodian  of  the  Fund's  assets  is  Star  Bank,  N.A.  (the
"Custodian").  The Custodian's mailing address is 425 Walnut Street, Cincinnati,
Ohio 45202. The Advisor,  Administrator  or interested  persons thereof may have
banking relationships with the Custodian.

OTHER  FUND  COSTS.  The Fund pays all  expenses  not  assumed  by the  Advisor,
including its fees. Fund expenses include,  among others, the fees and expenses,
if any, of the Trustees and  officers  who are not  "affiliated  persons" of the
Advisor, fees of the Fund's Custodian,  interest expense,  taxes, brokerage fees
and  commissions,   fees  and  expenses  of  the  Fund's  shareholder  servicing
operations,  fees and expenses of qualifying and  registering  the Fund's shares
under federal and state  securities  laws,  expenses of preparing,  printing and
distributing  prospectuses  and reports to existing  shareholders,  auditing and
legal  expenses,  insurance  expenses,  association  dues,  and the  expense  of
shareholders' meetings and proxy solicitations.  The Fund is also liable for any
nonrecurring expenses that may arise such as litigation to which the Fund may be
a party. The Fund

                                     - 15 -


<PAGE>



may be  obligated to  indemnify  the Trustees and officers  with respect to such
litigation.  All expenses of the Fund are accrued daily on the books of the Fund
at a rate  which,  to the best of its  belief,  is equal to the actual  expenses
expected  to be  incurred  by the Fund in  accordance  with  generally  accepted
accounting practices.

BROKERAGE.  The Fund has adopted  brokerage  policies which allow the Advisor to
prefer brokers which provide research or other valuable  services to the Advisor
and/or the Fund.  In all cases,  the  primary  consideration  for  selection  of
broker-dealers through which to execute brokerage transactions will be to obtain
the most favorable price and execution for the Fund.  Research services obtained
through  the Fund's  brokerage  transactions  may be used by the Advisor for its
other clients;  conversely, the Fund may benefit from research services obtained
through the brokerage  transactions of the Advisor's  other clients.  Subject to
the  requirements  of the  1940  Act and  procedures  adopted  by the  Board  of
Trustees,  the Fund may  execute  portfolio  transactions  through any broker or
dealer and pay  brokerage  commissions  to a broker  (i) which is an  affiliated
person of the Trust,  or (ii) which is an affiliated  person of such person,  or
(iii) an affiliated  person of which is an affiliated person of the Trust or the
Advisor.  It is anticipated  that a substantial  portion of the Fund's portfolio
transactions may be executed by the Advisor, for which it will receive brokerage
commissions.  The Statement of Additional  Information contains more information
about the management and brokerage practices of the Fund.


              DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS, TAXES AND OTHER INFORMATION

The Statement of Additional  Information  contains additional  information about
the federal income tax implications of an investment in the Fund in general and,
particularly,  with respect to dividends and  distributions  and other  matters.
Shareholders  should be aware that  dividends from the Fund which are derived in
whole or in part from interest on U.S. Government  Securities may not be taxable
for state  income tax  purposes.  Other state  income tax  implications  are not
covered,  nor is this  discussion  exhaustive  on the subject of federal  income
taxation. Consequently, investors should seek qualified tax advice.

The Fund intends to qualify as a "regulated investment company" under Subchapter
M of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code") and will  distribute all of
its net income and realized  capital  gains to  shareholders.  Shareholders  are
liable for taxes on  distributions  of net income and realized  capital gains of
the Fund but, of course, shareholders who are not subject to tax on their income
will not be  required  to pay taxes on  amounts  distributed  to them.  The Fund
intends to declare dividends annually, payable in December on a date selected by
the Trustees.

                                     - 16 -


<PAGE>



The Fund will make a  supplemental  distribution  of capital gains at the end of
its fiscal year. The nature and amount of all dividends and  distributions  will
be identified  separately when tax information is distributed by the Fund at the
end of each year. The Fund intends to withhold 30% on taxable  dividends and any
other payments that are subject to such  withholding and are made to persons who
are neither citizens nor residents of the U.S.

There is no fixed dividend rate, and there can be no assurance as to the payment
of any dividends or the realization of any gains for the Fund.  Current practice
of the  Fund,  subject  to the  discretion  of the  Board  of  Trustees,  is for
declaration  and  payment  of  income  dividends  during  the last  week of each
calendar quarter.  All dividends and capital gains  distributions are reinvested
in additional  shares of the Fund unless the shareholder  requests in writing to
receive dividends and/or capital gains  distributions in cash. That request must
be received by the Fund prior to the record date to be  effective as to the next
dividend.  Tax consequences to shareholders of dividends and  distributions  are
the same if received in cash or if received in additional shares of the Fund.

TAX STATUS OF THE FUND.  If the Fund is  qualified  as a  "regulated  investment
company"  under the Code,  it will not be liable  for  federal  income  taxes on
amounts  paid as  dividends  and  distributions.  The Code  contains a number of
complex  requirements which an investment company must meet in order to qualify.
For a more detailed  discussion of the tax status of the Fund,  see  "Additional
Tax Information" in the Statement of Additional Information.

DESCRIPTION  OF FUND SHARES AND OTHER MATTERS.  The  Declaration of Trust of the
Williamsburg Investment Trust currently provides for the shares of twelve funds,
or series, to be issued. Shares of all twelve series have currently been issued,
in addition to the Fund: shares of the FBP Contrarian  Balanced Fund and the FBP
Contrarian  Equity Fund, which are managed by Flippin,  Bruce & Porter,  Inc. of
Lynchburg, Virginia; shares of The Government Street Equity Fund, The Government
Street  Bond Fund and The  Alabama  Tax Free Bond Fund,  which are managed by T.
Leavell & Associates,  Inc. of Mobile,  Alabama;  The Jamestown Equity Fund, The
Jamestown  Balanced  Fund,  The  Jamestown  International  Equity  Fund  and The
Jamestown Tax Exempt Virginia Fund,  which are managed by Lowe,  Brockenbrough &
Tattersall,  Inc. of Richmond,  Virginia;  and shares of The Jamestown Bond Fund
and The Jamestown Short Term Bond Fund, which are managed by Tattersall Advisory
Group,  Inc.  of  Richmond,  Virginia.  The  Trustees  are  permitted  to create
additional series, or funds, at any time.



                                     - 17 -


<PAGE>



Shares are freely  transferable,  have no preemptive  or conversion  rights and,
when issued, are fully paid and non-assessable. Upon liquidation of the Trust or
a particular Fund of the Trust,  holders of the  outstanding  shares of the Fund
being  liquidated  shall be entitled to receive,  in proportion to the number of
shares  of the Fund held by them,  the  excess of that  Fund's  assets  over its
liabilities.  Each outstanding share is entitled to one vote for each full share
and a fractional  vote for each  fractional  share, on all matters which concern
the Trust as a whole.  On any matter  submitted to a vote of  shareholders,  all
shares  of  the  Trust  then  issued  and  outstanding  and  entitled  to  vote,
irrespective  of the  Fund,  shall be voted  in the  aggregate  and not by Fund,
except (i) when  required by the 1940 Act,  shares shall be voted by  individual
Fund;  and (ii) when the matter  does not affect any  interest  of a  particular
Fund, then only  shareholders of the affected Fund or Funds shall be entitled to
vote thereon. Examples of matters which affect only a particular Fund could be a
proposed change in the fundamental investment objective or policies of that Fund
or a proposed change in the investment advisory agreement for a particular Fund.
The shares of the Fund have  noncumulative  voting rights,  which means that the
holders of more than 50% of the shares  voting for the  election of Trustees can
elect all of the Trustees if they so choose.

The  Declaration  of Trust  provides the Trustees may hold office  indefinitely,
except  that:  (1) any  Trustee  may resign or retire;  (2) any  Trustee  may be
removed with or without cause at any time: (a) by a written  instrument,  signed
by at least  two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal;  (b) by
vote of shareholders  holding not less than two-thirds of the outstanding shares
of the Trust,  cast in person or by proxy at a meeting  called for that purpose;
or (c) by a written  declaration  signed by  shareholders  holding not less than
two-thirds  of the  outstanding  shares of the Trust and filed with the  Trust's
custodian.  In case a vacancy  or an  anticipated  vacancy  shall for any reason
exist,  the vacancy shall be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
remaining Trustees, subject to the provisions of Section 16(a) of the 1940 Act.

Any  group  of  shareholders  representing  10%  or  more  of  the  shares  then
outstanding  may call a meeting for the  purpose of removing  one or more of the
Trustees.  If  shareholders  desire to call a meeting to consider the removal of
one or more  Trustees,  they  will  be  assisted  in  communicating  with  other
shareholders.  See the Statement of Additional Information for more information.
Shareholder  inquiries  may be made in  writing,  addressed  to the Funds at the
address shown on the cover.




                                     - 18 -


<PAGE>



Under  Massachusetts  law,  shareholders  of a business trust may, under certain
circumstances,  be held personally liable as partners for the obligations of the
Trust.  The  Declaration  of Trust,  therefore,  contains  provisions  which are
intended to mitigate such liability. See the Statement of Additional Information
for further information about the Trust and its shares.

CALCULATION  OF PERFORMANCE  DATA.  From time to time the Fund may advertise its
total return.  The Fund may also  advertise  yield.  Both yield and total return
figures are based on historical earnings and are not intended to indicate future
performance.

The "total return" of the Fund refers to the average annual  compounded rates of
return  over 1, 5 and 10 year  periods  that  would  equate  an  initial  amount
invested at the beginning of a stated period to the ending  redeemable  value of
the investment.  The calculation of total return assumes the reinvestment of all
dividends and distributions, includes all recurring fees that are charged to all
shareholder  accounts  and deducts all  nonrecurring  charges at the end of each
period.  If the Fund has been  operating  less than 1, 5 or 10  years,  the time
period during which the Fund has been operating is substituted.

In  addition,  the  Fund may  advertise  other  total  return  performance  data
("Nonstandardized Return"). Nonstandardized Return shows as a percentage rate of
return   encompassing   all  elements  of  return  (i.e.,   income  and  capital
appreciation  or  depreciation);  it assumes  reinvestment  of all dividends and
capital gain distributions. Nonstandardized Return may be quoted for the same or
different   periods   as  those  for  which   standardized   return  is  quoted.
Nonstandardized  Return may consist of a cumulative  percentage  rate of return,
actual year-by-year rates or any combination thereof.

The "yield" of the Fund is computed by dividing  the net  investment  income per
share  earned  during  a  thirty-day   (or  one  month)  period  stated  in  the
advertisement  by the  maximum  offering  price per share on the last day of the
period (using the average number of shares entitled to receive  dividends).  The
yield formula  assumes that net investment  income is earned and reinvested at a
constant rate and annualized at the end of a six-month  period.  For the purpose
of determining net investment income, the calculation includes among expenses of
the Fund all recurring fees that are charged to all shareholder accounts and any
nonrecurring charges for the period stated.






                                     - 19 -


<PAGE>


THE DAVENPORT EQUITY FUND

INVESTMENT ADVISOR
Davenport & Company LLC
One James Center
901 East Cary Street, 11th Floor
Richmond, Virginia 23219-4037

ADMINISTRATOR
Countrywide Fund Services, Inc.
312 Walnut Street
P.O. Box 5354
Cincinnati, Ohio 45201-5354
1-800-443-4249

CUSTODIAN
Star Bank, N.A.
425 Walnut Street
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Tait, Weller & Baker
Two Penn Center Plaza
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102

LEGAL COUNSEL
Sullivan & Worcester LLP
One Post Office Square
Boston, Massachusetts 02109

BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Austin Brockenbrough III
John T. Bruce
Charles M. Caravati, Jr.
J. Finley Lee, Jr.
Richard Mitchell
Richard L. Morrill
Harris V. Morrissette
Fred T. Tattersall
Erwin H. Will, Jr.
Samuel B. Witt III

OFFICERS
Joseph L. Antrim III President
Coleman Wortham III, Vice President
J. Lee Keiger III, Vice President
John P. Ackerly IV, Vice President

No  person  has  been  authorized  to  give  any  information  or  to  make  any
representations,  other than those contained in this  Prospectus,  in connection
with the  offering  contained  in this  Prospectus,  and if given or made,  such
information or  representations  must not be relied upon as being  authorized by
the  Fund.  This  Prospectus  does not  constitute  an offer by the Fund to sell
shares in any State to any  person to whom it is  unlawful  for the Fund to make
such offer in such State.

                                     - 20 -


<PAGE>



                 SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED DECEMBER 22, 1997

INFORMATION   CONTAINED  HEREIN  IS  SUBJECT  TO  COMPLETION  OR  AMENDMENT.   A
REGISTRATION  STATEMENT  RELATING  TO THESE  SECURITIES  HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES  AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION.  THESE  SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THEIR REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE.  THIS  PROSPECTUS  SHALL  NOT  CONSTITUTE  AN  OFFER  TO  SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE  SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER,  SOLICITATION  OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.


                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                            THE DAVENPORT EQUITY FUND

           

                                   A Series of
                          WILLIAMSBURG INVESTMENT TRUST
                          312 Walnut Street, 21st Floor
                             Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
                            Telephone 1-800-443-4249


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


           INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES . . . . . . . . . . .  2
           INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
           TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5
           INVESTMENT ADVISOR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
           ADMINISTRATOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
           OTHER SERVICES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
           BROKERAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
           SPECIAL SHAREHOLDER SERVICES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
           PURCHASE OF SHARES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
           REDEMPTION OF SHARES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
           NET ASSET VALUE DETERMINATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
           ALLOCATION OF TRUST EXPENSES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
           ADDITIONAL TAX INFORMATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
           CAPITAL SHARES AND VOTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
           CALCULATION OF PERFORMANCE DATA . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
           FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND REPORTS. . . . . . . . . . . . 20

This Statement of Additional  Information is not a prospectus and should only be
read in  conjunction  with the  Prospectus  of The  Davenport  Equity  Fund (the
"Fund") dated  December 31, 1997.  The Prospectus may be obtained from the Fund,
at the address and phone number shown above, at no charge.







<PAGE>



                        INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

The  investment  objective  and  policies  of  the  Fund  are  described  in the
Prospectus.  Supplemental  information  about these policies is set forth below.
Certain capitalized terms used herein are defined in the Prospectus.

WARRANTS  AND  RIGHTS.  Warrants  are  essentially  options to  purchase  equity
securities  at  specific  prices  and are valid for a  specific  period of time.
Prices of warrants  do not  necessarily  move in concert  with the prices of the
underlying securities. Rights are similar to warrants but generally have a short
duration and are distributed directly by the issuer to its shareholders.  Rights
and warrants have no voting rights, receive no dividends and have no rights with
respect to the assets of the issuer.

FOREIGN  SECURITIES.  The Fund may invest in foreign  securities  if the Advisor
believes  such  investment  would  be  consistent  with  the  Fund's  investment
objective.  The same factors would be considered in selecting foreign securities
as with domestic securities, as discussed in the Prospectus.  Foreign securities
investment  presents  special   considerations  not  typically  associated  with
investments in domestic  securities.  Foreign taxes may reduce income.  Currency
exchange  rates and  regulations  may cause  fluctuation in the value of foreign
securities.  Foreign securities are subject to different regulatory environments
than in the United  States and,  compared to the United  States,  there may be a
lack of uniform  accounting,  auditing and financial reporting  standards,  less
volume and  liquidity and more  volatility,  less public  information,  and less
regulation  of foreign  issuers.  Countries  have been known to  expropriate  or
nationalize  assets,  and  foreign  investments  may be  subject  to  political,
financial or social instability or adverse diplomatic developments. There may be
difficulties in obtaining service of process on foreign issuers and difficulties
in enforcing  judgments  with respect to claims under the U.S.  securities  laws
against such  issuers.  Favorable or  unfavorable  differences  between U.S. and
foreign economies could affect foreign securities  values.  The U.S.  Government
has, in the past,  discouraged  certain  foreign  investments by U.S.  investors
through taxation or other restrictions and it is possible that such restrictions
could be imposed again.

REPURCHASE  AGREEMENTS.  The Fund may acquire U.S. Government Securities subject
to repurchase agreements.  A repurchase transaction occurs when, at the time the
Fund purchases a security (normally a U.S. Treasury obligation), it also resells
it to the vendor  (normally  a member bank of the  Federal  Reserve  System or a
registered  Government  Securities dealer) and must deliver the security (and/or
securities substituted for them under the repurchase agreement) to the vendor on
an agreed upon date in the future. Such securities, including any securities so


                                      - 2 -


<PAGE>



substituted,  are referred to as the  "Repurchase  Securities."  The  repurchase
price  exceeds the  purchase  price by an amount  which  reflects an agreed upon
market  interest  rate  effective  for the  period  of  time  during  which  the
repurchase agreement is in effect.

The majority of these  transactions run day to day and the delivery  pursuant to
the resale  typically  will occur within one to five days of the  purchase.  The
Fund's  risk is limited to the  ability of the vendor to pay the agreed upon sum
upon the  delivery  date;  in the event of  bankruptcy  or other  default by the
vendor,  there may be possible delays and expenses in liquidating the instrument
purchased,  decline in its value and loss of interest. These risks are minimized
when the Fund holds a perfected  security interest in the Repurchase  Securities
and can therefore sell the instrument  promptly.  Under guidelines issued by the
Trustees,  the Advisor will carefully consider the  creditworthiness  during the
term of the repurchase agreement.  Repurchase agreements are considered as loans
collateralized  by the Repurchase  Securities,  such agreements being defined as
"loans" under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"). The return on
such  "collateral" may be more or less than that from the repurchase  agreement.
The market value of the resold securities will be monitored so that the value of
the  "collateral"  is at all  times as least  equal  to the  value of the  loan,
including the accrued interest earned thereon. All Repurchase Securities will be
held by the Fund's custodian either directly or through a securities depository.

DESCRIPTION OF MONEY MARKET  INSTRUMENTS.  Money market  instruments may include
U.S.  Government  Securities  or corporate  debt  obligations  (including  those
subject to repurchase agreements) as described herein, provided that they mature
in  thirteen  months  or less  from the date of  acquisition  and are  otherwise
eligible for purchase by the Fund.  Money  market  instruments  also may include
Bankers'  Acceptances and  Certificates of Deposit of domestic  branches of U.S.
banks,  Commercial  Paper and  Variable  Amount  Demand  Master  Notes  ("Master
Notes"). BANKERS' ACCEPTANCES are time drafts drawn on and "accepted" by a bank,
are  the  customary  means  of  effecting   payment  for  merchandise   sold  in
import-export  transactions  and are a source of financing  used  extensively in
international  trade.  When a bank  "accepts"  such a  time  draft,  it  assumes
liability for its payment. When the Fund acquire a Bankers' Acceptance, the bank
which  "accepted" the time draft is liable for payment of interest and principal
when due. The Bankers' Acceptance,  therefore, carries the full faith and credit
of such bank. A CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT  ("CD") is an unsecured  interest-bearing
debt  obligation  of a bank.  CDs  acquired  by the Fund would  generally  be in
amounts of $100,000 or more.  COMMERCIAL PAPER is an unsecured,  short term debt
obligation of a bank,  corporation or other borrower.  Commercial Paper maturity
generally ranges from two to 270 days and is usually sold on a


                                      - 3 -


<PAGE>



discounted basis rather than as an  interest-bearing  instrument.  The Fund will
invest in Commercial Paper only if it is rated in the highest rating category by
any nationally  recognized  statistical rating  organization  (NRSRO) or, if not
rated,  the issuer must have an  outstanding  unsecured  debt issue rated in the
three  highest  categories  by any NRSRO or, if not so rated,  be of  equivalent
quality in the Advisor's  assessment.  Commercial Paper may include Master Notes
of the same quality. MASTER NOTES are unsecured obligations which are redeemable
upon demand of the holder and which permit the investment of fluctuating amounts
at varying rates of interest. Master Notes are acquired by the Fund only through
the  Master  Note  program  of the  Fund's  custodian,  acting as  administrator
thereof.  The Advisor will monitor,  on a continuous  basis, the earnings power,
cash flow and other liquidity  ratios of the issuer of a Master Note held by the
Fund.


                             INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

The Fund has adopted the following investment limitations,  in addition to those
described in the Prospectus, which cannot be changed without approval by holders
of a majority of the  outstanding  voting  shares of the Fund. A "majority"  for
this  purpose,  means the  lesser of (i) 67% of the  Fund's  outstanding  shares
represented  in person or by proxy at a  meeting  at which  more than 50% of its
outstanding  shares are  represented,  or (ii) more than 50% of its  outstanding
shares.

Under these limitations, the Fund MAY NOT:

(1)      Invest more than 5% of the value of its total assets in the  securities
         of  any  one  corporate  issuer  or  purchase  more  than  10%  of  the
         outstanding  voting securities or of any class of securities of any one
         corporate issuer;

(2)      Invest 25% or more of the value of its total assets in any one industry
         (except  that  securities  of the U.S.  Government,  its  agencies  and
         instrumentalities are not subject to these limitations);

(3)      Invest for the purpose of  exercising  control or management of another
         issuer;

(4)      Invest in interests in real estate,  real estate mortgage  loans,  oil,
         gas or other mineral exploration or development  programs,  except that
         the Fund may invest in the  securities  of companies  (other than those
         which are not readily marketable) which own or deal in such things, and
         the Fund may invest in mortgage-backed securities;






                                      - 4 -


<PAGE>



(5)      Underwrite  securities issued by others,  except to the extent the Fund
         may be deemed to be an underwriter under the federal securities laws in
         connection with the disposition of portfolio securities;

(6)      Purchase  securities on margin (but the Fund may obtain such short-term
         credits as may be necessary for the clearance of transactions);

(7)      Make short sales of  securities  or maintain a short  position,  except
         short  sales  "against  the  box." (A short  sale is made by  selling a
         security  the Fund does not own. A short sale is  "against  the box" to
         the  extent  that the Fund  contemporaneously  owns or has the right to
         obtain at no added cost securities identical to those sold short.);

(8)      Make loans of money or  securities,  except that the Fund may invest in
         repurchase agreements;

(9)      Write, purchase or sell commodities, commodities contracts, commodities
         futures contracts, warrants on commodities or related options; or

(10)     Issue or sell any senior security as defined by the Investment  Company
         Act of 1940 except insofar as any borrowing that the Fund may engage in
         may be deemed to be an issuance of a senior security.

Percentage  restrictions stated as an investment policy or investment limitation
apply at the time of  investment;  if a later increase or decrease in percentage
beyond the specified limits results from a change in securities  values or total
assets,  it will not be  considered  a  violation.  However,  in the case of the
borrowing limitation (the first restriction in the Prospectus) the Fund will, to
the  extent  necessary,  reduce  its  existing  borrowings  to  comply  with the
limitation.

While the Fund has  reserved  the right to make short  sales  "against  the box"
(limitation  number 7, above),  the Advisor has no present intention of engaging
in such transactions at this time or during the coming year.

                              TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Following are the Trustees and executive officers of the Williamsburg Investment
Trust  (the  "Trust"),  their  present  position  with the  Trust or Fund,  age,
principal  occupation  during the past 5 years and their aggregate  compensation
from the Trust for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997:



                                      - 5 -


<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                       <C>

Name, Position,                           Principal Occupation                            Compensation
Age and Address                           During Past 5 Years                           From the  Trust
- ------------------                        --------------------                          ---------------
Austin Brockenbrough III (age 60)         President and Managing                              None
 Trustee**                                Director of Lowe, Brockenbrough
President                                 & Tattersall, Inc.,
The Jamestown International Equity        Richmond, Virginia;
The Jamestown Tax Exempt Virginia Fund    Director of Tredegar Industries,
6620 West Broad Street                    Inc. (plastics manufacturer) and
Suite 300                                 Wilkinson O'Grady & Co. Inc.
Richmond, Virginia  23230                 (global asset manager); Trustee
                                          of University of Richmond

John T. Bruce (age 43)                    Principal of                                        None
Trustee and Chairman**                    Flippin, Bruce & Porter, Inc.,
Vice President                            Lynchburg, Virginia
FBP Contrarian Balanced Fund
FBP Contrarian Equity Fund
800 Main Street
Lynchburg, Virginia 24504

Charles M. Caravati, Jr. (age 60)         Physician                                           $8,000
Trustee**                                 Dermatology Associates of
5600 Grove Avenue                         Virginia, P.C.,
Richmond, Virginia   23226                Richmond, Virginia

J. Finley Lee (age 57)                    Julian Price Professor Emeritus of                  $8,000
Trustee                                   Business Administration
614 Croom Court                           University of North Carolina,
Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514         Chapel Hill, North Carolina;
                                          Director of Montgomery Indemnity
                                          Insurance Co.

Richard Mitchell (age 48)                 Principal of                                        None
Trustee**                                 T. Leavell &  Associates, Inc.
President                                 Mobile, Alabama
The Government Street Bond Fund
The Government Street Equity Fund
The Alabama Tax Free Bond Fund
150 Government Street
Mobile, Alabama  36602

Richard L. Morrill (age 58)               President of                                        $8,000
Trustee                                   University of Richmond,
7000 River Road                           Richmond, Virginia;
Richmond, Virginia  23229                 Director of Central Fidelity Banks, Inc.
                                          and Tredegar Industries, Inc.


                                      - 6 -


<PAGE>




Harris V. Morrissette (age 37)            President of                                       $7,000
Trustee                                   Marshall Biscuit Co. Inc.,
1500 S. Beltline Hwy.                     Mobile, Alabama;
Mobile, Alabama   36693                   President of Azalea Aviation, Inc
                                          airplane fueling); Director of
                                          Bank of Mobile and South
                                          Alabama Bank Corp.

Fred T. Tattersall (age 48)               Managing Director of                               None
Trustee**                                 Tattersall Advisory Group, Inc.,
President                                 Richmond, Virginia
The Jamestown Bond Fund
The Jamestown Short Term Bond Fund
6620 West Broad Street
Suite 300
Richmond, Virginia  23230

Erwin H. Will, Jr. (age 64)               Chief Investment Officer of                        None
Trustee                                   Virginia Retirement System,
P.O. Box 2500                             Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia 23218

Samuel B. Witt III (age 61)               Senior Vice President and                          $6,500
Trustee                                   General Counsel of Stateside
2300 Clarendon Blvd.                      Associates, Inc., Arlington,
Suite 407                                 Virginia; Director of The Swiss
Arlington, Virginia 22201                 Helvetia Fund, Inc. (closed-end
                                          investment company)

John P. Ackerly IV (age 34)               Portfolio Manager of
Vice President                            Davenport & Company LLC,
The Davenport Equity Fund                 Richmond, Virginia;
One James Center, 901 E. Cary St.         prior to February 1994, a
Richmond, Virginia 23219                  Portfolio Manager with
                                          Central Fidelity Bank

Joseph L. Antrim III (age 52)             Executive Vice President of
President                                 Davenport & Company LLC,
The Davenport Equity Fund                 Richmond, Virginia
One James Center, 901 E. Cary St.
Richmond, Virginia 23219

Charles M. Caravati III (age 31)          Assistant Portfolio Manager of
Vice President                            Lowe, Brockenbrough & Tattersall, Inc.,
The Jamestown International Equity        Richmond, Virginia
Fund
6620 West Broad Street
Suite 300
Richmond, Virginia 23230


                                      - 7 -


<PAGE>




John M. Flippin (age 55)                  Principal of
President                                 Flippin, Bruce & Porter, Inc.,
FBP Contrarian Balanced Fund              Lynchburg, Virginia
FBP Contrarian Equity Fund
800 Main Street
Lynchburg, Virginia  24504

Timothy S. Healey (age 44)                Vice President of
Vice President                            T. Leavell & Associates, Inc.,
The Alabama Tax Free Bond Fund            Mobile, Alabama
150 Government Street
Mobile, Alabama 36602

J. Lee Keiger III (age 43)                First Vice President and Chief Financial
Vice President                            Officer of
The Davenport Equity Fund                 Davenport & Company LLC,
One James Center, 901 E. Cary St.         Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia 23219

R. Gregory Porter III (age 56)            Principal of
Vice President                            Flippin, Bruce & Porter, Inc.,
FBP Contrarian Balanced Fund              Lynchburg, Virginia
FBP Contrarian Equity Fund
800 Main Street
Lynchburg, Virginia  24504

Mark J. Seger (age 35)                    Vice President of Countrywide Fund Services,
Treasurer                                 Inc. and Countrywide Financial Services, Inc.;
312 Walnut Street, 21st Floor             Treasurer, Countrywide Investment Trust,
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202                    Countrywide Tax-Free Trust and Countrywide
                                          Strategic Trust, 
                                          Cincinnati, Ohio

Henry C. Spalding, Jr. (age 59)           Executive Vice President of
President                                 Lowe, Brockenbrough & Tattersall, Inc.,
The Jamestown Balanced Fund               Richmond, Virginia
The Jamestown Equity Fund
6620 West Broad Street
Suite 300
Richmond, Virginia  23230

John F. Splain (age 40)                   Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Secretary                                 of Countrywide Fund Services, Inc.; General
312 Walnut Street, 21st Floor             Counsel and Secretary, Countrywide
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202                    Investments, Inc. and Countrywide Financial
                                          Services, Inc.; Secretary, Countrywide Investment
                                          Trust, Countrywide Tax-Free Trust
                                          and Countrywide Strategic Trust, 
                                          Cincinnati, Ohio


                                      - 8 -


<PAGE>




Ernest H. Stephenson, Jr. (age 52)        Vice President
Vice President                            Lowe, Brockenbrough & Tattersall, Inc.,
The Jamestown Balanced Fund               Richmond, Virginia
The Jamestown Equity Fund
6620 West Broad St.
Suite 300
Richmond, Virginia 23230

Connie R. Taylor (age 46)                 Administrator
Vice President                            Lowe, Brockenbrough & Tattersall, Inc.,
The Jamestown Balanced Fund               Richmond, Virginia
The Jamestown Equity Fund
6620 West Broad Street
Suite 300
Richmond, Virginia 23230

Craig D. Truitt (age 38)                  Senior Vice President
Vice President                            Tattersall Advisory Group, Inc.
The Jamestown Bond Fund                   Richmond, Virginia
The Jamestown Short Term Bond Fund
6620 West Broad Street
Suite 300
Richmond, Virginia 23230

Beth Ann Walk (age 38)                    Portfolio Manager of
Vice President                            Lowe, Brockenbrough & Tattersall, Inc.,
The Jamestown Tax Exempt Virginia Fund    Richmond, Virginia
6620 West Broad Street
Suite 300
Richmond, Virginia 23230

Coleman Wortham III (age 51)              President and Chief Executive Officer of
Vice President                            Davenport & Company LLC,
The Davenport Equity Fund                 Richmond, Virginia
One James Center, 901 E. Cary St.
Richmond, Virginia 23219
- -----------------------------

<FN>

**Indicates  that Trustee is an Interested  Person for purposes of the 1940 Act.
Charles M. Caravati, Jr. is the father of Charles M. Caravati III.
</FN>

</TABLE>
Messrs.  Lee,  Morrill,  Morrissette,  Will  and  Witt  constitute  the  Trust's
Nominating Committee. Messrs. Caravati, Lee, Morrill, Morrissette, Will and Witt
constitute the Trust's Audit Committee. The Audit Committee reviews annually the
nature and cost of the professional services rendered by the Trust's


                                      - 9 -


<PAGE>



independent accountants,  the results of their year-end audit and their findings
and  recommendations  as to  accounting  and  financial  matters,  including the
adequacy of internal  controls.  On the basis of this review the Audit Committee
makes  recommendations  to the  Trustees as to the  appointment  of  independent
accountants for the following year.

                               INVESTMENT ADVISOR

Davenport  & Company  LLC (the  "Advisor")  supervises  the  Fund's  investments
pursuant to an Advisory  Agreement (the "Advisory  Agreement")  described in the
Prospectus.  The Advisory Agreement is effective until April 1, 1999 and will be
renewed  thereafter  for one  year  periods  only so  long as such  renewal  and
continuance is specifically  approved at least annually by the Board of Trustees
or by vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding  voting securities,  provided
the  continuance  is also  approved  by a majority of the  Trustees  who are not
"interested  persons"  of the Trust or the  Advisor  by vote cast in person at a
meeting  called  for the  purpose  of  voting  on such  approval.  The  Advisory
Agreement  is  terminable  without  penalty on sixty days notice by the Board of
Trustees of the Trust or by the Advisor. The Advisory Agreement provides that it
will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.

Compensation  of the Advisor  with  respect to the Fund is at the annual rate of
0.75% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

The  Advisor  was  originally  organized  in 1863,  re-organized  as a  Virginia
corporation  in  1972,  and  subsequently   converted  to  a  Limited  Liability
Corporation in 1997. Through two Sub-S corporation unitholders,  the Advisor has
99  owners  all of whom are  employees  of the  Advisor  and none of whom own in
excess of 10% of the Advisor.  In addition to acting as Advisor to the Fund, the
Advisor provides investment advice to corporations,  trusts,  pension and profit
sharing plans, other business and institutional accounts and individuals.

The Advisor  provides a continuous  investment  program for the Fund,  including
investment research and management with respect to all securities,  investments,
cash and cash  equivalents of the Fund. The Advisor  determines  what securities
and other investments will be purchased,  retained or sold by the Fund, and does
so in  accordance  with the  investment  objective  and  policies of the Fund as
described herein and in the Prospectus. The Advisor places all securities orders
for the Fund,  determining  with which  broker,  dealer,  or issuer to place the
orders. The Advisor must adhere to the brokerage policies of the Fund in placing
all orders,  the  substance of which  policies are that the Advisor must seek at
all times the most favorable  price and execution for all  securities  brokerage
transactions.


                                     - 10 -


<PAGE>




The Advisor also provides, at its own expense, certain executive officers to the
Trust, and pays the entire cost of distributing Fund shares.

The Advisor  may  compensate  dealers or others  based on sales of shares of the
Fund to clients of such dealers or others or based on the average balance of all
accounts  in the Fund for which such  dealers or others  are  designated  as the
person responsible for the account.

                                  ADMINISTRATOR

Countrywide Fund Services,  Inc. (the "Administrator")  maintains the records of
each shareholder's  account,  answers  shareholders'  inquiries concerning their
accounts,  processes  purchases and  redemptions of the Fund's  shares,  acts as
dividend  and  distribution  disbursing  agent and  performs  other  shareholder
service  functions.  The  Administrator  also  provides  accounting  and pricing
services  to the  Fund  and  supplies  non-investment  related  statistical  and
research  data,  internal  regulatory  compliance  services  and  executive  and
administrative  services.  The  Administrator  supervises the preparation of tax
returns,  reports to shareholders  of the Fund,  reports to and filings with the
Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  and  state  securities  commissions,  and
materials for meetings of the Board of Trustees.

For the  performance  of  these  administrative  services,  the  Fund  pays  the
Administrator  a fee at the  annual  rate of 0.20% of the  average  value of its
daily net assets up to  $25,000,000,  0.175% of such assets from  $25,000,000 to
$50,000,000  and  0.15% of such  assets  in  excess  of  $50,000,000;  provided,
however,  that the minimum fee is $2,000 per month.  In addition,  the Fund pays
out-of-pocket  expenses,  including  but not  limited  to,  postage,  envelopes,
checks, drafts, forms, reports, record storage and communication lines.

                                 OTHER SERVICES

The  firm of  Tait,  Weller  &  Baker,  Two  Penn  Center  Plaza,  Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania  19102,  has been  retained  by the Board of Trustees to perform an
independent  audit of the books and  records of the Trust,  to review the Fund's
federal  and state tax  returns  and to consult  with the Trust as to matters of
accounting and federal and state income taxation.



                                     - 11 -


<PAGE>



The  Custodian  of the Fund's  assets is Star  Bank,  N.A,  425  Walnut  Street,
Cincinnati,  Ohio 45202. The Custodian holds all cash and securities of the Fund
(either  in  its  possession  or in  its  favor  through  "book  entry  systems"
authorized by the Trustees in accordance with the 1940 Act), collects all income
and effects all securities transactions on behalf of the Fund.

                                    BROKERAGE

It is the Fund's practice to seek the best price and execution for all portfolio
securities transactions.  The Advisor (subject to the general supervision of the
Board of Trustees) directs the execution of the Fund's portfolio transactions.

The Fund's common stock portfolio  transactions will normally be exchange traded
and  will  be  effected  through   broker-dealers   who  will  charge  brokerage
commissions.  With  respect to  securities  traded only in the  over-the-counter
market,  orders will be executed on a principal basis with primary market makers
in such  securities  except where better prices or executions may be obtained on
an agency basis or by dealing with other than a primary market maker.

While there is no formula,  agreement or  undertaking  to do so, the Advisor may
allocate  a portion  of the  Fund's  brokerage  commissions  to persons or firms
providing the Advisor with research services,  which may typically include,  but
are not limited to, investment recommendations,  financial, economic, political,
fundamental and technical  market and interest rate data, and other  statistical
or research  services.  Much of the  information so obtained may also be used by
the Advisor for the benefit of the other  clients it may have.  Conversely,  the
Fund may  benefit  from such  transactions  effected  for the  benefit  of other
clients.  In all cases, the Advisor is obligated to effect  transactions for the
Fund  based upon  obtaining  the most  favorable  price and  execution.  Factors
considered by the Advisor in determining  whether the Fund will receive the most
favorable  price and  execution  include,  among other  things:  the size of the
order,  the broker's  ability to effect and settle the transaction  promptly and
efficiently and the Advisor's perception of the broker's reliability,  integrity
and financial condition.

                          SPECIAL SHAREHOLDER SERVICES

As noted in the Prospectus, the Fund offers the following shareholder services:



                                     - 12 -


<PAGE>



REGULAR ACCOUNT. The regular account allows for voluntary investments to be made
at  any  time.  Available  to  individuals,  custodians,  corporations,  trusts,
estates,  corporate  retirement  plans and  others,  investors  are free to make
additions and  withdrawals to or from their account as often as they wish.  When
an investor  makes an initial  investment in the Fund, a shareholder  account is
opened in accordance with the investor's  registration  instructions.  Each time
there  is  a  transaction  in a  shareholder  account,  such  as  an  additional
investment or the  reinvestment of a dividend or  distribution,  the shareholder
will  receive  a  statement  showing  the  current  transaction  and  all  prior
transactions in the shareholder account during the calendar year to date.

AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN. The automatic investment plan enables shareholders to
make regular monthly or quarterly investment in shares through automatic charges
to their checking account. With shareholder authorization and bank approval, the
Administrator  will  automatically  charge the  checking  account for the amount
specified ($100 minimum) which will be  automatically  invested in shares at the
public offering price on or about the last business day of the month or quarter.
The  shareholder may change the amount of the investment or discontinue the plan
at any time by writing to the Administrator.

SYSTEMATIC  WITHDRAWAL PLAN.  Shareholders owning shares with a value of $25,000
or more may establish a Systematic  Withdrawal  Plan. A shareholder  may receive
monthly or quarterly payments,  in amounts of not less than $100 per payment, by
authorizing the Fund to redeem the necessary number of shares periodically (each
month,  or  quarterly in the months of March,  June,  September  and  December).
Checks will be made payable to the designated  recipient and mailed within three
business days of the valuation  date. If the designated  recipient is other than
the registered shareholder, the signature of each shareholder must be guaranteed
on the application (see "Signature Guarantees").  A corporation (or partnership)
must also submit a "Corporate  Resolution" (or  "Certification  of Partnership")
indicating the names, titles and required number of signatures authorized to act
on its behalf.  The application  must be signed by a duly authorized  officer(s)
and the corporate seal affixed.  No redemption  fees are charged to shareholders
under this plan.  Costs in conjunction with the  administration  of the plan are
borne by the Fund. Shareholders should be aware that such systematic withdrawals
may  deplete  or use up  entirely  their  initial  investment  and may result in
realized  long-term  or  short-term  capital  gains or  losses.  The  Systematic
Withdrawal Plan may be terminated at any time by the





                                     - 13 -


<PAGE>



Fund upon sixty days' written notice or by a shareholder  upon written notice to
the Fund.  Applications  and further details may be obtained by calling the Fund
at 1-800-443-4249, or by writing to:

                            The Davenport Equity Fund
                              Shareholder Services
                                  P.O. Box 5354
                           Cincinnati, Ohio 45201-5354

REDEMPTIONS IN KIND. The Fund does not intend,  under normal  circumstances,  to
redeem  its  securities  by  payment  in kind.  It is  possible,  however,  that
conditions may arise in the future which would,  in the opinion of the Trustees,
make it  undesirable  for the Fund to pay for all  redemptions  in cash. In such
case,  the Board of  Trustees  may  authorize  payment  to be made in  portfolio
securities  or other  property of the Fund.  Securities  delivered in payment of
redemptions  would be valued at the same value assigned to them in computing the
net asset value per share.  Shareholders  receiving  them would incur  brokerage
costs when these  securities  are sold. An  irrevocable  election has been filed
under  Rule  18f-1 of the 1940  Act,  wherein  the Fund  commits  itself  to pay
redemptions  in cash,  rather than in kind, to any  shareholder of record of the
Fund who redeems during any ninety day period, the lesser of (a) $250,000 or (b)
one percent (1%) of the Fund's net assets at the beginning of such period.

TRANSFER OF  REGISTRATION.  To transfer shares to another owner,  send a written
request to the Fund at the address shown herein. Your request should include the
following:  (1) the  existing  account  registration;  (2)  signature(s)  of the
registered  owner(s)  exactly  as the  signature(s)  appear(s)  on  the  account
registration;  (3) the new account  registration,  address,  social  security or
taxpayer  identification  number and how  dividends  and capital gains are to be
distributed;  (4) signature  guarantees  (see the  Prospectus  under the heading
"Signature Guarantees"); and (5) any additional documents which are required for
transfer by corporations,  administrators,  executors, trustees, guardians, etc.
If you have any questions about transferring shares, call or write the Fund.

                               PURCHASE OF SHARES

The purchase price of shares of the Fund is the net asset value next  determined
after the order is received.  An order received prior to 4:00 p.m.  Eastern time
will be  executed at the price  computed  on the date of  receipt;  and an order
received  after that time will be  executed  at the price  computed  on the next
Business  Day.  An order to  purchase  shares is not  binding  on the Fund until
confirmed in writing (or unless other arrangements have been made with the Fund,
for example in the case of orders  utilizing wire transfer of funds) and payment
has been received.


                                     - 14 -


<PAGE>



The Fund reserves the right in its sole  discretion  (i) to suspend the offering
of its shares, (ii) to reject purchase orders when in the judgment of management
such  rejection is in the best  interest of the Fund and its  shareholders,  and
(iii) to reduce or waive the  minimum for  initial  and  subsequent  investments
under  circumstances  where  certain  economies can be achieved in sales of Fund
shares.

EMPLOYEES AND  AFFILIATES OF THE FUND. The Fund has adopted  initial  investment
minimums for the purpose of reducing the cost to the Fund (and  consequently  to
the  shareholders)  of  communicating  with and  servicing  their  shareholders.
However, a reduced minimum initial  investment  requirement of $1,000 applies to
Trustees,  officers and employees of the Fund,  the Advisor and certain  parties
related  thereto,  including  clients of the  Advisor or any  sponsor,  officer,
committee  member thereof,  or the immediate family of any of them. In addition,
accounts  having the same mailing  address may be aggregated for purposes of the
minimum  investment  if they  consent in  writing  to share a single  mailing of
shareholder  reports,  proxy statements (but each such shareholder would receive
his/her own proxy) and other Fund literature.

                              REDEMPTION OF SHARES

The Fund may suspend  redemption  privileges or postpone the date of payment (i)
during any period that the New York Stock  Exchange (the  "Exchange") is closed,
or trading on the Exchange is restricted as  determined  by the  Securities  and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), (ii) during any period when an emergency
exists as defined by the rules of the  Commission as a result of which it is not
reasonably  practicable for the Fund to dispose of securities owned by it, or to
fairly  determine  the value of its assets,  and (iii) for such other periods as
the Commission may permit.



No charge  is made by the Fund for  redemptions,  although  the  Trustees  could
impose a redemption  charge in the future.  Any  redemption  may be more or less
than the shareholder's cost depending on the market value of the securities held
by the Fund.


                          NET ASSET VALUE DETERMINATION

Under the 1940 Act, the Trustees are  responsible  for determining in good faith
the fair value of the  securities  and other  assets of the Fund,  and they have
adopted  procedures  to do so, as  follows.  The net asset  value of the Fund is
determined as of the


                                     - 15 -


<PAGE>



close of trading of the  Exchange  (currently  4:00 p.m.  Eastern  time) on each
"Business Day." A Business Day means any day, Monday through Friday,  except for
the following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents'
Day,  Good  Friday,  Memorial  Day,  Fourth of July,  Labor Day,  Columbus  Day,
Veterans  Day,  Thanksgiving  Day and  Christmas.  Net asset  value per share is
determined by dividing the total value of all Fund  securities and other assets,
less  liabilities,  by the total  number of shares then  outstanding.  Net asset
value includes interest on fixed income securities, which is accrued daily.

                          ALLOCATION OF TRUST EXPENSES

The  Fund  pays  all of its own  expenses  not  assumed  by the  Advisor  or the
Administrator,   including,  but  not  limited  to,  the  following:  custodian,
shareholder servicing, stock transfer and dividend disbursing expenses; clerical
employees and junior level officers of the Trust as and if approved by the Board
of Trustees; taxes; expenses of the issuance and redemption of shares (including
registration  and  qualification  fees and  expenses);  costs  and  expenses  of
membership  and  attendance  at  meetings of certain  associations  which may be
deemed  by  the  Trustees  to  be  of  overall  benefit  to  the  Fund  and  its
shareholders;  legal and auditing expenses; and the cost of stationery and forms
prepared  exclusively  for the Fund.  General Trust expenses are allocated among
the series,  or funds,  on a fair and equitable  basis by the Board of Trustees,
which may be based on  relative  net assets of the fund (on the date the expense
is paid) or the nature of the services performed and the relative  applicability
to the fund.

                           ADDITIONAL TAX INFORMATION

TAXATION OF THE FUND.  The Fund  intends to qualify as a  "regulated  investment
company"  under  Subchapter M of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as amended
(the "Code").  Among its  requirements  to qualify under  Subchapter M, the Fund
must distribute  annually at least 90% of its net investment income. In addition
to this distribution requirement, the Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross
income each  taxable year from  dividends,  interest,  payments  with respect to
securities'  loans,  gains  from the  disposition  of stock or  securities,  and
certain other income.

While  the  above  requirements  are  aimed  at  qualification  of the Fund as a
regulated  investment  company  under  Subchapter  M of the Code,  the Fund also
intends to comply with certain  requirements  of the Code to avoid liability for
federal income and excise tax. If the Fund remains qualified under Subchapter M,
it will not be subject to federal income tax to the extent it distributes its


                                     - 16 -


<PAGE>



taxable net investment income and net realized capital gains. A nondeductible 4%
federal  excise  tax  will be  imposed  on the  Fund to the  extent  it does not
distribute at least 98% of its ordinary taxable income for a calendar year, plus
98% of its capital gain net taxable  income for the one year period  ending each
October 31, plus certain  undistributed amounts from prior years. While the Fund
intends to distribute  its taxable income and capital gains in a manner so as to
avoid  imposition  of the  federal  excise  and  income  taxes,  there can be no
assurance  that the Fund  indeed  will make  sufficient  distributions  to avoid
entirely imposition of federal excise or income taxes.

Should additional series, or funds, be created by the Trustees,  each fund would
be treated as a separate tax entity for federal income tax purposes.

TAX STATUS OF THE FUND'S DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS. Dividends paid by the Fund
derived from net investment  income or net short-term  capital gains are taxable
to shareholders as ordinary  income,  whether  received in cash or reinvested in
additional shares. Distributions, if any, of long-term capital gains are taxable
to  shareholders  as  long-term  capital  gains,  whether  received  in  cash or
reinvested  in additional  shares,  regardless of how long Fund shares have been
held. For information on "backup"  withholding,  see "How to Purchase Shares" in
the Prospectus.

For corporate  shareholders,  the dividends received  deduction,  if applicable,
should  apply to  dividends  from the  Fund.  The Fund  will  send  shareholders
information  each  year on the tax  status of  dividends  and  disbursements.  A
dividend or capital  gains  distribution  paid  shortly  after  shares have been
purchased,  although  in effect a return of  investment,  is  subject to federal
income taxation. Dividends from net investment income, along with capital gains,
will be  taxable  to  shareholders,  whether  received  in cash or shares and no
matter  how long you have held Fund  shares,  even if they  reduce the net asset
value of shares below your cost and thus in effect  result in a return of a part
of your investment.
                            CAPITAL SHARES AND VOTING

Shares of the Fund, when issued,  are fully paid and  non-assessable and have no
preemptive or conversion rights.  Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each
full share and a fractional  vote for each  fractional  share held.  Shares have
noncumulative  voting  rights,  which means that the holders of more than 50% of
the shares  voting for the  election of Trustees  can elect 100% of the Trustees
and, in this event,  the holders of the remaining shares voting will not be able
to elect any Trustees. The Trustees will hold office indefinitely,  except that:
(1) any Trustee may resign or retire and (2) any Trustee may be removed


                                     - 17 -


<PAGE>



with or  without  cause at any time (a) by a  written  instrument,  signed by at
lease two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal; or (b) by vote
of shareholders  holding not less than  two-thirds of the outstanding  shares of
the Trust,  cast in person or by proxy at a meeting called for that purpose;  or
(c) by a  written  declaration  signed  by  shareholders  holding  not less than
two-thirds  of the  outstanding  shares of the Trust and filed with the  Trust's
custodian.  Shareholders have certain rights, as set forth in the Declaration of
Trust, including the right to call a meeting of the shareholders for the purpose
of voting on the removal of one or more Trustees.  Shareholders holding not less
than ten percent (10%) of the shares then  outstanding  may require the Trustees
to call such a  meeting  and the  Trustees  are  obligated  to  provide  certain
assistance to shareholders  desiring to communicate  with other  shareholders in
such regard (e.g.,  providing  access to  shareholder  lists,  etc.).  In case a
vacancy or an anticipated  vacancy shall for any reason exist, the vacancy shall
be filled by the  affirmative  vote of a  majority  of the  remaining  Trustees,
subject to the  provisions  of Section 16(a) of the 1940 Act. The Trust does not
expect to have an annual meeting of shareholders.

Prior to January 24, 1994 the Trust was called The Nottingham Investment Trust.

                         CALCULATION OF PERFORMANCE DATA

As  indicated  in the  Prospectus,  the Fund may,  from time to time,  advertise
certain total return and yield  information.  The average annual total return of
the Fund for a period is computed by  subtracting  the net asset value per share
at the  beginning of the period from the net asset value per share at the end of
the period (after  adjusting for the  reinvestment  of any income  dividends and
capital gain distributions),  and dividing the result by the net asset value per
share at the beginning of the period.  In  particular,  the average annual total
return of the Fund ("T") is computed by using the redeemable value at the end of
a specified  period of time  ("ERV") of a  hypothetical  initial  investment  of
$1,000 ("P") over a period of time ("n") according to the formula P(l+T)n=ERV.

In  addition,  the  Fund may  advertise  other  total  return  performance  data
("Nonstandardized Return"). Nonstandardized Return shows as a percentage rate of
return   encompassing   all  elements  of  return  (i.e.,   income  and  capital
appreciation  or  depreciation);  it assumes  reinvestment  of all dividends and
capital gain distributions.  Nonstandardized  Return may consist of a cumulative
percentage of return, actual year-by-year rates or any combination thereof.



                                     - 18 -


<PAGE>



From time to time, the Fund may advertise its yield. A yield  quotation is based
on a 30-day (or one month) period and is computed by dividing the net investment
income per share  earned  during the period by the  maximum  offering  price per
share on the last day of the period, according to the following formula:

                          Yield = 2[(a-b/cd + 1)6 - 1]

Where:
a = dividends and interest earned during the period
b = expenses accrued for the period (net  of  reimbursements) 
c = the  average  daily  number  of  shares outstanding during the period that
    were entitled to receive dividends
d = the maximum offering price per share on the last day of the period

Solely for the purpose of computing  yield,  dividend  income is  recognized  by
accruing  1/360 of the stated  dividend  rate of the security  each day that the
Fund owns the  security.  Generally,  interest  earned  (for the  purpose of "a"
above) on debt  obligations is computed by reference to the yield to maturity of
each  obligation  held based on the market  value of the  obligation  (including
actual accrued interest) at the close of business on the last business day prior
to the start of the  30-day  (or one  month)  period  for  which  yield is being
calculated,  or, with respect to  obligations  purchased  during the month,  the
purchase price (plus actual accrued interest).

The Fund's performance may be compared in  advertisements,  sales literature and
other  communications  to the  performance  of other mutual funds having similar
objectives  or  to   standardized   indices  or  other  measures  of  investment
performance.  In particular, the Fund may compare its performance to the S&P 500
Index, which is generally  considered to be representative of the performance of
unmanaged common stocks that are publicly traded in the United States securities
markets. Comparative performance may also be expressed by reference to a ranking
prepared  by a  mutual  fund  monitoring  service,  such  as  Lipper  Analytical
Services, Inc. or Morningstar,  Inc., or by one or more newspapers,  newsletters
or financial periodicals. Performance comparisons may be useful to investors who
wish to compare the Fund's past  performance  to that of other  mutual funds and
investment  products.  Of course,  past performance is not a guarantee of future
results.

o        LIPPER ANALYTICAL SERVICES, INC. ranks funds in various fund categories
         by making  comparative  calculations  using total return.  Total return
         assumes the reinvestment of all capital gains  distributions and income
         dividends  and takes into  account any change in net asset value over a
         specific period of time.




                                     - 19 -


<PAGE>


o        MORNINGSTAR,  INC., an independent rating service,  is the publisher of
         the  bi-weekly  Mutual Fund Values.  Mutual Fund Values rates more than
         1,000  NASDAQ-listed  mutual  funds of all  types,  according  to their
         risk-adjusted  returns.  The maximum rating is five stars,  and ratings
         are effective for two weeks.

Investors may use standardized  indices in addition to the Fund's  Prospectus to
obtain a more  complete  view of the Fund's  performance  before  investing.  Of
course,  when  comparing the Fund's  performance  to any index,  factors such as
composition of the index and prevailing  market  conditions should be considered
in assessing the  significance of such  comparisons.  When comparing funds using
reporting  services,  or total return,  investors should take into consideration
any relevant  differences in funds such as permitted portfolio  compositions and
methods  used  to  value  portfolio   securities  and  compute  offering  price.
Advertisements  and other sales  literature for the Fund may quote total returns
that  are  calculated  on  non-standardized  base  periods.  The  total  returns
represent the historic change in the value of an investment in the Fund based on
monthly reinvestment of dividends over a specified period of time.

From  time  to  time  the  Fund  may   include  in   advertisements   and  other
communications information,  charts, and illustrations relating to inflation and
the effects of inflation on the dollar,  including the  purchasing  power of the
dollar at various  rates of  inflation.  The Fund may also disclose from time to
time  information  about its portfolio  allocation  and holdings at a particular
date (including  ratings of securities  assigned by independent  rating services
such as S&P and Moody's). The Fund may also depict the historical performance of
the securities in which the Fund may invest over periods reflecting a variety of
market or economic  conditions  either alone or in comparison  with  alternative
investments,  performance indices of those investments,  or economic indicators.
The Fund may also  include  in  advertisements  and in  materials  furnished  to
present and prospective shareholders statements or illustrations relating to the
appropriateness  of types of securities and/or mutual funds that may be employed
to meet specific  financial  goals,  such as saving for  retirement,  children's
education, or other future needs.

                        FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND REPORTS

The books of the Fund will be  audited  at least  once each year by  independent
public  accountants.  Shareholders  will receive  annual  audited and semiannual
(unaudited) reports when published, and will receive written confirmation of all
confirmable  transactions  in their  account.  A copy of the Annual  Report will
accompany the Statement of Additional  Information  ("SAI")  whenever the SAI is
requested by a shareholder or prospective investor.



                                     - 20 -



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