Local Charities
There are two local Charities serving the Parish and their details are shown below:-
HENRY SMITH (ROTHERFIELD SHARE) CHARITY No. 235516
Generally referred to as the “Smith and Fermor Charity” the charity benefits from income generated by trusts created in the 18th Century. The original purpose was for the income received to be distributed for the benefit of the “poor and needy” of the “Ancient Parish of Rotherfield” which now consists of the modern day parishes of Rotherfield (including Mark Cross, Town Row, Boars Head and part of Eridge) and Crowborough. The Charity still receives reasonable sums each year but the number of cases that come to the Trustees for consideration has dwindled.
The Trustees are the Town Clerk of Crowborough and Parish Clerk of Rotherfield, together with a representative from each of these Parishes. The objectives of the Charity have recently been reviewed and updated to express them in more modern language whilst still remaining true to the spirit and intentions of the original benefactors. The new objectives have been accepted by the Charity Commissioners and are as follows:-
1. The relief of financial hardship among people living in Rotherfield and Crowborough civil parishes by providing such persons with goods or services which they could not otherwise afford through lack of means.
2. The provision of financial support to Charities or other not for profit bodies delivering support and services to elderly people living in Rotherfield and Crowborough civil parishes.
3. The provision of financial support to Charities or other not for profit bodies assisting in the treatment, care and support of persons living in Rotherfield and Crowborough civil parishes suffering from mental or physical illness of any description or in need of rehabilitation as a result of such illness.
4. The provision of financial support to Charities or other not for profit bodies providing recreational, educational or leisure time activities to develop the skills, capacities and capabilities of children, young people and others with special needs living in Rotherfield and Crowborough civil parishes to enable them to participate in society as mature and responsible individuals.
The Trustees consider all applications sympathetically within the terms of the governing trust deed. In recent times grants have been made for the following purposes:-
· Assisting a social group for the blind.
· Helping with travelling costs for regular hospital treatment visits.
· Purchasing a mobility scooter.
If you wish to apply or are aware of cases that you believe we may be able to help, please contact our Secretary, Trevor Thorpe, at rotherfieldpc@yahoo.co.uk or on 01892 664245. You may be assured that complete confidentiality will be preserved.
The Trustees
January 2010
Please click HERE to view a copy of the Charity's report and accounts for the year ended 31st December 2011.
THE ROTHERFIELD TRUST LIMITED
(Company number 963299; Charity number 260329)
We are delighted to report that we have been able to invest the proceeds from the sale of Carisbrooke, Abbeyfield’s home in Rotherfield for many years, with a view to providing finance for charitable projects and needs within our village.
The Abbeyfield Rotherfield Society Limited has been re-named The Rotherfield Trust Limited. The charitable objects of the Company, though, remain the same, namely to assist the less advantaged and the older members of our community, to provide support for education and religion, and other charitable purposes beneficial to the community. The change of name and scope of the Company’s charitable activities have received the required approvals from the Registrar of Companies and the Charities Commission.
The management and administration of grant finance will be undertaken by the Trustees of the Charity. It is hoped that initially a total of £15,000 will be available in each year for qualifying requests, although larger donations to special projects will not be ruled out.
The Trustees very much hope that a wide range of groups, societies, projects and individuals will be able to benefit from the funds available, provided their needs fall within the charitable objects of the Trust, and are approved by the Trustees.
Applications for grants will normally be considered on a half yearly basis, with a view to payments being made in June and December. The deadline for first applications is
SATURDAY 31 MARCH 2012
If you would like to make an application for a grant that falls within the charitable objects highlighted above, please send it by post, hand delivery or email to the registered office of the Trust:
The Rotherfield Trust Limited, Old Milk Lodge, Church Road, Rotherfield, TN6 3LA – andrewfermor@aol.com – (01892 852645).
Your application should initially be limited to a single page, setting out in brief terms:
· The name of and contact details for the applicant;
· The grant requested;
· How the grant will be applied;
· Who will benefit.
If you have any questions please do contact the Chairman, Andrew Fermor (contact details above), or any of the Trustees. They are:
Mark Dawkins – 852714 Jean Van Beek – 852488
Robin Holliday – 852425 Lindy Whitlam - 853111
Nick Rowton - 655308 Mike Whitlam - 853111
Please do spread the word!
The Trustees of The Rotherfield Trust Limited