Richard Durning's Charity

  The Charity Through History

In 1692 Richard Durning left a considerable amount of land and property in the area. This included quarrying rights in Parbold. Further afield he also owned a farm in Bamber Bridge - Bank Head Farm. This is the only land to remain the property of the Charity, the rest having been sold. The last piece to be sold was the land where the Springmount Estate in Hilldale now stands. Apart from the rent from the farm the majority of the income of the Charity comes from an investment portfolio which is managed on behalf of the Charity by professional fund managers

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Records

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We are lucky enough to posses comprehensive records of the dealings of the Charity since 1693. As well as a complete set of minutes from that date and various other documents including, accounts books, School log books, inspectors reports and a contemporary handwritten copy of the founder’s will. These are safely houses in Lancashire Records Office Bow Lane Preston under the reference DDX 285. The original will is kept under a separate reference as it is not Charity Property. Should you be interested you are more than welcome to study these records if you obtain a reader’s ticket for the Records Office.

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Meetings

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Charity records hold complete minutes of every meeting since 1693. At the first meeting on 19th April 1693, as well as receiving rents and distributing the “doles,” it is interesting to note that the Trustees spent 5s 6d on “ale and tobacco.” Nowadays the Annual Meeting of the Charity is held in May at the Eagle and Child, Bispham Green where the business of the Charity is conducted. The meeting is followed by a meal and a toast to the founder much as in 1693. Committees of the Charity meet from time to time during the year to oversee the farm, investments and award grants. As well as the education grants the Charity awards a sum of money to the School in much the same way as the PTA gives money for extras today.