Buckden Parochial Charities
Chairman of Trustees: Mrs Betty Mackintosh Co-opted
trustees - 5 year terms Nominative
trustees (by Parish Council) - 4 year terms The Bishop Maltby, Travill and Dole charities
were established many years ago to provide immediate relief to residents of
Buckden who find themselves in unexpected hardship. Any resident of the village
may make an application for such funding by applying through the Clerk to the
Trustees. Applications will then be considered by the Trustees. The Hayward, Constable and Reeveman charities
make occasional donations to village organisations providing communal
amenities. The regulations state that the project must benefit everyone in the
village, rather than a section of it. Any resident of the village may suggest a
project for such funding by applying through the Clerk to the Trustees.
Applications will then be considered by the Trustees. You may be aware that Buckden is lucky enough
to have two sets of Almshouses in the village: South's Almshouses and the
Burberry Homes. These are funded by The Almshouse Charities of James South and
William Burberry and administered and managed by the trustees of the Buckden
Parochial Charities. They are subject to the rules of the Charity Commissioners
and the guidance of the Almshouse Association. Almshouses exist to house persons in need of a
home, normally, but not always, of pensionable age, who have lived in, or who
have connections with the Buckden. Almshouses are not old people's homes and Almspersons must be independent
and able to care for themselves. First an applicant must submit an application
form, which asks questions about health, independence, financial status and
Buckden residency. Details of financial status must be disclosed as a
requirement of the Charity Commissioners. This can be done at any time. When a
vacancy occurs all applications are assessed by the trustees, using certain
criteria which include health, local residency or connection, financial status
and any special circumstances. They may ask to visit an applicant at home to
assess his/her ability to live independently, or ask the applicant to come for
a short interview, after which accommodation will be offered to the most appropriate
applicant. This may be either in South's Almshouses or the Burberry Homes,
whichever is deemed by the trustees to be most suitable. The applications of
unsuccessful applicants remain on file for future consideration with any new
applications. No; almshouses are not covered by the Rent Act.
Almspersons pay a weekly maintenance contribution, which contains elements for
heating, water and the upkeep of the property. This sum, which is usually less
than an equivalent council rent, is subject to review and will generally be
increased annually. Residents are liable for Council Tax and for the rental on
a telephone line. Burberry residents also pay for their use of electricity (the
Burberry Homes are heated by gas). The warden, who works part time, looks after
the property and oversees the well being of the residents. She does not provide
physical care or services, though she will liaise with statutory and other
services to ensure that residents receive the support they need. She is on hand
in an emergency and residents will usually receive a daily visit. Other support
is provided through the Lifeline provided for each resident. If you would like any further information about any of the activities of
the charities, or would like an application form for Almshouse residency,
please contact Mrs Lorraine Toogood, Clerk to the Trustees, 7 Vineyard Way,
Buckden. Tel. 01480 811352. email: lorraine.toogood@btinternet.com Charity numbers: 810227, 205862,
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