Ilsington United Charities was formed in 1914 by the amalgamation of 5 local charities with the aim at the time to "purchase and distribute coats, hats, boots, shirts and blankets among the deserving and necessities men, woman and children resident in the Parish of Ilsington" and to "benefit those deserving residents in the Parish being sick, aged or incapacitated from earning their living".
Over the years times have changed and the Trustees now feel that a voucher for food and provisions at Christmas and a contribution towards electricity bills is the most relevant interpretation of the original Trustees aims. This modern day arrangement has been welcomed by many in the Parish at what is otherwise a very expensive time of the year over the Christmas period, with the Charity paying out between £8,000 - £10,000 each year to deserving parishioners. In addition, there are still a number of applications for coats and blankets which are met each year. There is also the opportunity to make one off hardship requests for funds for one off items where a Parishioner is in difficulties and requires a modest sum of money in a hurry. These, as with all bequests, are at the Trustees discretion and are dealt with in a very confidential manner.
This money for the above is generated by long term investments and the rent achieved from the letting of the Charities property assets. These comprise farmland and 2 residential properties in Liverton, being Candy Cottage and Candy Farmhouse. In addition the trust owns the Liverton football field which is let to Liverton Football Club plus the park at Little Meadow and the allotment field, which is let to the Council for a peppercorn rent.
Grants and Annual Awards
School uniform: Discretionary award towards cost of school uniform
Candy Vouchers: Discretionary award to be spent locally at either Liverton Stores and/ or Ilsington Village Shop
Winter Fuel Allowance: Discretionary award which is credited to your main energy provider e.g. gas, electric, solid fuel
Candy Coats: Contribution towards purchase of a winter coat
Widger blankets Voucher towards cost of bedding (blanket, duvet)
Jane Ford Trust Book vouchers awarded to the two local schools.
For more information contact the Parish Clerk
It was a common practice from early times for parishioners to leave money in their wills for the benefit of the poor. Land and buildings might also be left either for sale or for rent, the proceeds again to be used for charitable purposed. Such property was placed in the hands of the trustees, or feoffees as there were sometimes known, with suitable arrangements made for further trustees to be appointed when this become necessary.
Jane Ford was born at Bagtor House around 1584, the youngest daughter of Thomas Ford and Elizabeth Popham and sister to John Ford, the Elizabethan dramatist. In her will of 24 November 1663 she devised to William Culling, Thomas Ashford and Henry Nosworthy and heirs two enclosed fields within the parish of Ashburton upon trust. The rent and profits derived from there would be used to keep poor children in the parish of Ilsington at school and to pay for their teaching until they could read the Bible. The children were to be chosen by the trustee with the advice and consent of the church wardens and the overseers of the parish. Jane left the trustees an annuity of £6 for use until they were able to take possession of the two fields. The field were about 4 acres and 2 acres in extent.
Trustees died and were replaced over the years, often by those related to the Ford family. By 1793 a trust deed showed that Thomas Brown occupied the 4 acre field at the rent of £12 a year and William Kingswell the other at £9 a year. In 1798 and 1799 prayer books, spelling books and Bibles were bought at a cost of £4 10s. 7d. and in 1820 100 Bibles were bought for £25 3s. 0d. by 1865 gross income had reduced to £18 10s. 0d. and this was used to buy books and to pay teachers. By 1900s a new scheme drawn up by the Charity Commissioners required that children must be bonna fide residents of Ilsington, have been scholars for two years, be of good conduct and be regular attenders. The trustee were to ensure that there general progress had been satisfactory. By 1964 the 2 fields Lang hill and Cross parks were still held on trust and providing an income of around £30 p.a. Today only cross parks is still producing a rent for charitable purposes and this goes towards the purchase of books and equipment for the two Ilsington schools.
For more information contact the Parish Clerk.