A potted history of our worthwhile charities
As far back in time as the 16th century gifts of money, clothing and land were left to relieve the hardship of the poor of Harpole residents. Through the generosity of parishioner’s other small pockets of land were added, expressly given so that the income generated could help the “needy poor” and deserving residents of the parish to see them through difficult times.
The lands were placed in charities and survived to the present day through the good stewardship of all the past trustees. Recent history has seen somewhat faster development and the fact that the charity has benefitted to the tune of £6 million is testament to that.
By 1778 when the Enclosure Commissioners (those responsible for looking at common land and open pastures) brought together all these scattered pockets of land under an Act of Parliament for Harpole called the Enclosure Award. The land became known as the Charity Lands.
By letting these fields, the Parish Officers were able to generate a small income which has been used to help many of its residents through the awarding of small sums of money to alleviate poverty and provide help with education.
The Enclosure Award stated specifically that two things should happen with the money raised from the leasing of the land.
- provide an income for a schoolmaster so that “reading, writing and the casting of accounts” could provide much needed education for the children of our parish.
- provide for the needy poor.
Since 1778 the stewardship of the charities has been varied. In earlier times the Charity Fund was administrated by the Overseers of the Poor and a committee of the rector and church wardens, known as the Vestry, and then, after the Parish Council Act of 1894, when parish affairs were taken out of the hands of the Church and put to the electorate, by the Parish Council.
In 1939 the Charity Commissioners instituted a Scheme which was called the Harpole Charities, setting out the regulations for its administration.
The Free School Foundation had to wait until 1974 for a Scheme to have its format recognised. It was distinct from the Harpole Charities and had an educational focus.
From 1974 onwards both charities were clearly being run by trustees again with the Parish Council stepping back. It was the coming together of these two charities in 2014 which gave rise to the Combined Harpole Charitable Trust, a community interest company still with charitable status and still with the distinct objectives of furthering education and helping people of the parish with financial and /or health needs.
The one clear difference today is that there is a different income stream and a sound investment policy, and the trustees of today are ready to propel the charity into the 21st century and protect it for a further 250 years whilst embarking on some exciting projects for the benefit of the residents of our great parish.
What we do…offer grants from the Trust:
Education Grants are available for the youngest to the oldest person in the Parish. All forms of education will be considered, and education grants are NOT means tested.
Helping Hands which is NOT means tested is a grant available for people requiring professional care in their homes, such as short periods of respite, podiatry or any form of assistance.
The following grant IS means tested:
Christmas grants for residents over 65-year-olds, along with fuel bill assistance for all households experiencing financial difficulty, are available to those who have lived in the Parish for 7 years or more.
What has the Trust achieved so far this year?
- Provision of funds for the Village School to improve facilities, specialist teachers and maintenance of the buildings.
- Financial support for students attending University and post school studies.
- Individual support for worthwhile projects.
- One off and ongoing support for hardship cases.
- Christmas bonuses and winter fuel payments.
- Financial support to Harpole Pre School, Youth Club and SEN Hub
TOTAL GRANTS IN THE LAST YEAR £177,000
TRUSTEES OF THE COMBINED HARPOLE CHARITABLE TRUST ARE:
Sarah Eason (chair@harpoletrust.co.uk)Chair of the CHCT & Clerk to Harpole Charities
Maxine Jones Vice Chair of the CHCT & Chair to Harpole Charities
Sonja Roberts (treasurer@harpoletrust.co.uk) Treasurer to the CHCT & on the Free school Foundation Committee
Helen Cordingley - Harpole Charities Committee
Allan Leroy – Chair of the Free School Foundation Committee
Jeremy Calderwood - Harpole Charities Committee
Roger Fountain - Free School Foundation Committee
Rob Lawrence - Harpole Charities Committee
Frank Smethers - Free School Foundation Committee
Rector Nic Edwards - Free School Foundation Committee
Website: harpoletrust.co.uk
Contact: secretary@harpoletrust.co.uk
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