Although Almondsbury Charity can trace its origin back to the thirteenth century, it is only since the 1970s that this charity has become a financially viable enterprise, able to assist a wide and varied range of beneficiaries.
The origins of the Charity date can be traced back to 1322 when John de Brokenborough established a ‘chantry’ or Trust consisting of private land, the rents from which were to be used to support a priest whose task was to sing Mass for the souls of the founder and his family and all departed Christian souls. The original endowment amounted to 66s 8d (about £3–18p). This formed the original Church Lands Charity as constituted in the Trust Deed of 1457. The income was to be used solely for the maintenance and repair of the parish church in Almondsbury.
In 1892 a new Trust Deed was drawn up and the Church Lands Charity was amalgamated with the charities established by Edward Tirrell (1683), Thomas Jefferis ( 1717) and John Silcox (1741) whose income was to be used to help the poor people of Almondsbury. At this time the capital value was £400, half of which still consisted of land.
In the 1970s the Trustees obtained planning permission for houses to be built on allotments which the Charity owned in Patchway. This coincided with the government decision to widen the A38 and build the flyover near the railway bridge. Consequently, the land was subject to a compulsory purchase order and, after the deduction of legal expenses, the Charity benefited by £150,000.
In the period beginning in the 1950s, following new housing developments, the area changed from one based mainly on farming to one in which many people found employment in the aircraft industry or travelled to work in Bristol. Following the new building, and subsequent increase in population, in 1953 Patchway and more recently Bradley Stoke became parishes in their own right. In 1976 a new trust deed which widened the possible beneficiaries was agreed and the area of benefit was designated as the parish of Almondsbury as it existed in 1881. In 1997 Almondsbury Church Lands Charity became ALMONDSBURY CHARITY, the name it still retains.
The Charity’s assets are professionally managed and provide the income which is available for distribution by the Trustees. The capital is retained by the Charity to provide a steadily rising income. At present the capital value is about £2.7 million, which generates an income, after the deduction of administrative costs, of over £60,000 per annum for distribution. Both capital value and income vary according to prevailing economic conditions.
Under the terms of the Trust Deed the Charity’s income is to be divided into two equal parts:
The Education and Relief Fund can provide help for both individuals and organisations.
The Charity is administered by 12 Trustees who are representative of the local community.
The Vicars of St. Mary’s Church, Almondsbury, St. Chad’s Church, Patchway and St. Peter’s Church, Pilning or their representatives are ex - officio trustees. Almondsbury Parish Council, Bradley Stoke Town Council, Patchway Town Council and Pilning and Severn Beach Parish Council each nominate a Trustee. In addition upto 5 trustees, with specific knowledge of the area of benefit, are coopted.
At present the Trustees are:
Ex-officio Trustee, Priest in Charge St.Chad's Patchway - Vacancy
Nominated by St. Mary’s Church Almondsbury PCC - Mr, M. Tierney
Nominated by St. Peter’s Church Pilning PCC - Ms O. Murray
Nominated by Almondsbury Parish Council - Mrs D. Wilson
Nominated by Bradley Stoke Town Council - Mrs M Ward
Nominated by Patchway Town Council - Mr. L.Gray
Nominated by Pilning & Severn Beach Parish Council - Mrs H. Rickards
Co-opted Trustees
- Mr. J. A. Bamforth (Chairman)
- Mrs. L.M. Hamid
- Mrs J. jones
- Mr. A. Ward
- Vacancy
Trustees meet 6 times a year and applications for grants should reach the secretary AT LEAST TWO WEEKS before the dates of the meetings.
Dates of Meetings in 2023
Wednesday - January 11th
Wednesday - March 8th
Wednesday - April 26th - Annual Meeting - Cancelled
Wednesday - May 10th -
Wednesday - July 12th
Wednesday - September 13th
Wednesday - November 8th
Despite the problems caused by covid 19 the Trustees are still able to consider applications for help. In particular they would welcome requests for assistance from anyone experiencing hardship as a result of the pandemic. If in doubt please contact the secretary for advice.
Grants have recently been given to:
ECCLESIASTICAL FUND
St. Mary's Church, Almondsbury - work on North Porch archway and guttering
- repairs to ringing room surround and parapet support
- maintenance on vestry windows and tower guttering
All Saints Church Compton Greenfield - electrical inspection and repairs
St. Peter's Church Pilning - repairs to bell casting
EDUCATION AND RELIEF FUND
13 schools in the area of benefit to buy library books or equipment
St. Peter’s Hospice
summer play schemes for young people
38 pupils in Year 6 in local primary schools to enable them take part in school visits
a year 6 'in school activity' at one school to replace the annual school visit
6 needy individuals for white goods, furniture, or help to purchase carpets
1 student in higher education to purchase books or equipment