About the Charities 

There are two existing charities:

Harescombe Charity of Miles Huntley (’Miles Huntley Charity’) 

This provides grants to individuals up to the age of 25 years, who live in the Parish of Harescombe, for educational/training purposes.

In recent years grants have been made for such items as computers, training courses and educational trips.

Students who live away during term time but who mainly reside in Harescombe during their holidays, can still qualify

Harescombe Charity of Cox and Bedwell (‘Cox and Bedwell Charity’)

This provides grants to individuals who live within the Parish of Harescombe, for the prevention/relief of poverty.

It is increasingly difficult to identify individuals who might benefit from grants from this charity but the most recent grants have been made mainly to help with fuel costs.

Both charities are registered with the Charities Commission, although there is no legal requirement for them to be registered, given their small size. Each charity consists of an endowment fund, which means the annual income from each charity may be used to provide grants, whilst the original capital funds must be retained to produce future income for further grants. Income which is not used for grants in any year may be saved and given out in later years.  The current annual income of Miles Huntley is approximately £1,200. The Cox and Bedwell Charity has annual income of approximately £90.

Both charities arise from legacies left in wills. Over the years the charities have been slightly amended, in terms of the people who can benefit from grants, in order to ensure that their objectives are kept relevant. The management of the trusts has also shifted away from the vicar or churchwardens, to a formal body of appointed trustees.

The trustees of both charities are now chosen in accordance with the charities’ existing rules. These state that the trustees must always include the serving vicar for Harescombe, along with three trustees appointed by the Harescombe Parish Council for a term of 4 years. The current trustees are the Rev. Janet Turville, Helen Hutton (who is also the clerk), Linda Pike and Brian Stanley. The trustees meet as required, to consider applications for grants and ensure the charities are run on a proper basis.