Loddon, as a town, has for hundreds of years had an income from certain properties it owned, and in the past has contributed to the independence of the Parish from both the Church and manorial ties. For instance, the school on Church Plain, now the library, was built partly with Town Estates income.
In 1877 the "Loddon Town Estate" seemed to be in some difficulty and an application to the Charity Commissioners was made to formulate a new scheme to administer the Estate.
The only remaining Trustee, the Rev John Denny Gilbert, of Chedgrave Manor, was discharged and the Vicar of Loddon, the Rev John Smith, two Churchwardens and two Overseers of the Poor were
appointed Trustees. The meetings were held in the Town Hall.
The income at that time was £167/14/6d, a sum worth having in 1877!
It derived from the rents of Town Farm, (now Loddon Industrial Estate) two small meadows, two small areas of land in the "Gravel Pits" (now Davy Place), the old engine house and Loddon Common.
The income was divided as follows:
3/7 for maintenance and repair of the Parish Church, 2/7 to the Parish for public works, 1/7 to the welfare of the deserving poor of Loddon and 1/7 for the education of their children.
The formula still holds good today.
The various parcels of land have been sold over the years - the income appears to have been less than the cost of maintaining the land.
Town Farm was sold in 1945 with the money being invested to give the Charity its primary income. The only property remaining today is Loddon Common - about 7 acres of marsh at the end of the
lane to Heckingham Holes.
The Welfare fund was usually used to buy a sack of coal for the poor at Christmas time and the Education fund was used, until the Free School Act of 1893, to help pay the school fees of several
poor children, subject to good conduct and a good attendance record.
Later, grants were made to help poor children stay at school beyond 12 years of age, or pay for books for pupil teachers.
Until relatively recently the Trust had become almost dormant.
Assets had not kept pace with inflation and there was little income to distribute.
Today, thanks in part to help from Loddon Parish Council the Trust’s small income has been increased to a more usable level.
Better management of Loddon Common, including ESA (Environmentally Sensitive Area) payments and some "windfall" income from Building Society investments have boosted the capital assets of the
Trust to a point where it is again able to offer some limited but meaningful help to the Parishioners of Loddon.
Trustees are keen to bring the Trust into the 21st century and are actively seeking ways to update its powers and increase its income. The Welfare and Education Trusts are still in place and are again providing financial assistance to those in need.
The Charity can provide limited financial assistance for welfare or educational needs; for instance help in the provision of school clothing or paying for a child to go on a school outing.
However, assistance can only be given to those who live within the Parish of Loddon.
If you think the Charity could help you, or know of someone who could benefit from some small assistance contact either -
The Chairman of the Trust
Mr G E Bush
Tel. 520862
The Secretary to the Trustees
Mrs. A Lumley
Tel. 528141