Clarke's Chartiy

The Reverend John Clarke Charity

If you have left school during the past year, live in either Shuttington or Alvecote and are embarking on some type of further education or training, possibly an apprenticeship or a college course, then read on!
 
There is a charity in the Parish of Shuttington that offers small amounts of money to young people who are about to enter some sort of after school training.
 
The charity is a very old one, part of the history of the Parish of Shuttington.  It was set up and financed 300 years ago in 1716 by the Reverend John Clarke, who had been the vicar in St Matthew’s church in Shuttington.
 
John Clarke was the son of a farmer living in Stanton by Bridge in Derbyshire.  The Clarkes were tenants of the Burdett family who had connections with Seckington.  It was probably that relationship that brought John Clarke from Derbyshire to look after the Parish of Shuttington.
 
Originally the charity was intended for: “putting to apprentice poor children whose parents should not be reputed worth £10 a piece”.  The present trustees attempt to comply in some way to John Clarke’s request in awarding assistance to those following a variety of career training.
 
There are three trustees for the charity and either of them would be pleased to hear from any person who is resident in the Parish of Shuttington and Alvecote who has just left school and is entering upon some form of education or training.