HISTORY

The Charity of the Ancient Parish of Bisley was formed in 1957 and is an amalgamation of a number of smaller charities, dating back to 1688, with the aim of helping those in need in the parish.

The combined assets are invested in the COIF Charities Investment Fund. The only land remaining is that known as the Chestergate Allotments in Bisley. The land is held in trust for the charity by the Official Custodian of Charities and is currently leased to the Parish Council.

Constituent charities

  • Charity of Thomas Butler, founded by will in 1688

  • Charity of Walter Ridler, founded by will proved at London on 6th June 1698

  • Charity of Joan Ridler, founded by will proved at London on 26th November 1714

  • Charity of Mary Ridler, founded by will proved at London on 27th October 1715

  • Charity of Thomas Ridler (no date)

  • Charity of Samuel Allen, founded in 1734

  • Charity of Mary Barksdale (no date)

  • Charity of William Wise (no date)

  • Charity of Charles Ballinger, founded by will dated 24th June 1798

  • Charity of Theyer Townsend, founded by will dated 1st July 1801

  • Charity of John Harvey Ollney, founded by will proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury on
    2nd March 1836

  • Charity of Isaac Woodfield, founded by will dated 9th November 1859

  • Charity of John Paine, founded by will proved with two codicils thereto at Lewes on 28th November 1874

  • Charity of William Kimber Butcher, founded by will proved in the Principal Registry on 25th June 1887

  • Charity of Caleb Tanner, founded by will proved at Gloucester on the 27th March 1902

 

Some of the details of the original bequests are summarised on the Benefaction Boards lining the walls of the Meeting Room in All Saints’ Church, Bisley (see below).

  • 1688 Mr Thomas Butler gave for a Sermon and Bread, yearly on Easter-monday, to be paid out of the ChantryEstate …………………….£1.10. 0.
    1697 Mr. Walter Ridler - £300
    1714 Mrs. Joan Ridler - 300
    1715 Mrs. Mary Ridler - 100
    Mr. Thomas Ridler - 40
    Theabove Sums are secured in an Estate in the parish of Haresfield in this County, and the interest arising therefrom is

  • required to be given to the Poor, either by educating their Children, or in any other way that may be thought most beneficial to their interest, pr. Annm. £37 ” ”
    1732 Mr. John Taylor for educating and clothing poor Boys yearly, gave land at Upton St Leonards, in this County, now let at per Annum_£52. 10.0
    Mr John King of the City of Bristol, Brazier, a native of this Town gave the Chandelier to this Church.

  • 1801 Theyer Townsend of Steanbridge Esq, gave the interest of 100 £ Stock in the 4 per Cents, which has since been invested together with accumulated monies from Ridlers Charity in the purchase of a Field called Chester- gate-piece, now let at pr Annm. £10.

    Four Pounds of the Rent or Interest is given away in Bread yearly on St Thomas day, as directed by Mr. Town sends Will.

  • Charles Ballinger of Chalford Esq, gave a third part of two Shares in the Stroud Navigation, the profits arising therefrom to be distributed yearly in Woollen Cloth.

  • There are accumulations, from the before named Charities, which have been invested in the purchase of £509 Stock, in the new 4 per Cents, The dividends therefrom are given to the poor Annually.

  • 1839. John Harvey Ollney, of Cheltenham, Esquire. gave Three Hundred-Pounds; which is invested in Government – Securities.

    The interest of the above is be laid out in the purchase of Coals and Blankets: to be distributed at Christmas annually; to such persons as the Minister and Church-wardens shall select.

Meetings of the Bisley Churchwardens and Charity Trustees have been recorded in a Minute Book purchased from Geo.B. James & Co. Ltd., Wholesale Stationers, 14 Russell Street, Stroud.

The first entry in this volume of handwritten Minutes is dated March 9, 1904.

Documents relating to the various charities are held at Gloucestershire Archives, Clarence Row, Alvin Street, Gloucester GL1 3DW. www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/archives