Bulwick Charities (Overview - May 2025)

Back in 1705 & 1862, two charities: Poor’s Lands & Tryon and Bulwick Educational Foundation were founded by gifted funds and a piece of land (sold in 1970's), willed by several members of the Tryon / Conant family of Bulwick Hall. These funds were pooled in 1909 into a single Governance Document– copy held by Charity Commission and Trustees.

How it Works

Funds invested to earn dividends, which are used to fund parish payments each summer & winter, eligibility as detailed below.

Trustees – Minimum 3 - Maximum of 5. Appointments to be held for 3 years, then renewed if Trustees still willing. Our three current officials all accepted their role summer 2024. NB if we have  more than 3 trustees, we will incur bank charges.

➢ Administrator & Trustee – Anne Lashmar( anne.village@outlook.com) for all written communication

➢ Trustees – Russell Toseland & Pauline Tebbutt

Governance: Meetings with minutes (quorum minimum of 2 Trustees)

➢ April Meeting

-  Confirm Educational Grant process and those eligible

➢ Summer AGM

- Review and agree Educational Grant applications

- Issue payments in May

- Overview and audit bank accounts. -

- Agree the Annual Returns for the Charity Commission.

- Confirm /re-appoint Administrator / Chair of our meetings

➢ November Meeting

- Review and agree Winter Warmth payments

- Issue payments early December

➢ Extraordinary meeting (as required)

 

Eligibility Criteria

Payments & grants have NEVER been means-tested, this benefit is for EVERY ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLD, living in Bulwick Parish for over 12 months

Charity 1: Poor’s Lands & Tryon Charities

A. To provide an annual fuel payment (originally a sack of coal, now £100) to every household where one or more residents is aged 65 or over. No need to apply, cheques distributed annually November/December.

B. To provide a new birth payment of £100, for any new babies born to residents during the preceding year. No need to apply, cheques paid as soon as Trustees aware/informed or annually in November/December.

C. On request, the charity can make a payment of £100 to help fund travel/visiting requirements for parishioners to visit to hospitalized spouses / children. Cheque provided on request, as required during the year.

Charity 2: Bulwick Educational Foundation

On request, small grants for educational resources/opportunities can be made for parish youngsters in full-time education (ie includes University).

- Application form delivered in April to all eligible families.

- Trustees review at May meeting, agreeing amounts to grant, all / part or (rarely) not at all.

- Cheques provided in May

 

The current Trustees are keen to be as transparent as possible, within the confines of GDPR. We are all happy to answer any queries from parish residents.

 

Anne, Russell and Pauline 20 May 2025