The 13th Century gift still giving millions to charity

For the last 25 years, charities in Stratford-upon-Avon have seen millions of pounds in grants, thanks to a major property owner in the town giving away its profits.

The concept began, though, in the 13th century with a donation of property to the town's leaders, with the condition that the money it generated went to the poor.

Now more than 800 years later, the town continues to get millions of pounds every year through the modern form of the model, Stratford Town Trust, which started in 2001.

Matthew Poole, its CEO said: "Over those past 25 years we've managed to award almost £45m worth of funding to support around 3,500 grants."

In the 13th century, the Guild of the Holy Cross helped run the town.

They were gifted some properties, and the income generated by them was used to pay for a school and almshouses, an early form of social housing.

It changed ownership after the reformation under King Henry VIII in the 16th century, and Town Council took over the running in the 1970s.

In 2001, the authority made a decision to create a new charity which would look after the historic buildings and use their profits for good causes in the town.

Now 25 years on, the Stratford Town Trust says it is worth £60m, ownning 112 properties.

Of the Trust's 112 properties, one of the best known is the historic Guild Chapel, which has links back to Shakespeare.

The trust also runs about 100 commercial properties in the town, 12 residential properties and the Civic Car Park on Rother Street.

On top of what is owned, the trust also manages various features, including the bandstand on the Recreation Ground, the old Lench Meadows, now the Stratford-upon-Avon Local Nature Reserve, and Rowley Fields.

"Sometimes we still surprise people with the depth and breadth of all of the different activities that we fund," Poole said, "whether that's local scout groups, a community centre... Christmas lights, hanging baskets, all the way through to hospices."

Some of the profits from the commercial properties go towards maintaining their own buildings and land.

But about £1.2m every year is given out in grants to local charities.

Jonathan Toney runs Wild Wood Connections, which has created a safe space for men to meet, outdoors, to help boost mental health. They won a grant of close to £40,000 this year.

"I think [the trust] is a backbone to the town. There are so many different projects, amazing projects and charities and community groups in Stratford, most of them are supported by the trust," he said.

The Lifespace Trust provides mentors and other programmes for young people struggling with school, mental health or self esteem issues in south Warwickshire.

"Organisations like the Town Trust don't exist all over the place" said its CEO, Lisa Carroll. "They are a real blessing."

The Bicycle Bus, Stratford Youth Theatre, Refuge, Safeline, Stratford-upon-Avon Foodbank and the Repair Café were among those getting cash last year.

Hardship grants are also given out to individuals through Citizen's Advice. More than £150,000 was given to schools to help struggling families pay for uniform and school trips.

This weekend, the trust is holding a free event at the Rother Street Arts House between 10:00 and 12:00 BST to celebrate its 25th anniversary.

Poole said he believed the trust had kept true to what the 13th century town leaders had in mind for the money.

"I hope that if those historical figures could look down from heaven today and see what we are doing, they'd be proud that one, we are still here, and two, we are still looking after the money well, on their behalf."

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